Global space initiatives: Countries collaborate and compete in space

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• January 25, 2023

Developed nations spare no expense in their space programs. Space exploration is a sign of wealth and power, but it’s also an asset in analyzing discoveries that could improve life on Earth. However, politics seems to be the driving force of space initiatives.

Global space initiatives context

According to the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), there are 72 different space agencies worldwide as of 2022. However, only six have full launch capabilities. While the US’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is undoubtedly dominant in this field, other space agencies, such as those in China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have successfully launched spacecraft to Mars. 

Political leaders have taken different approaches when it comes to space initiatives. For example, former US President Barack Obama understood how space exploration is tied to America’s sense of identity and progress; however, he was more fiscally conservative in his approach than other presidents. Given the many issues facing the nation, he didn’t want to make space a priority over others.

His strategy for space innovation was to reduce the strain on NASA and the government while collaborating with international partners and the business sector like SpaceX. This practice worked well, with numerous partnerships between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). In addition, SpaceX became the first certified commercial spacecraft to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2020.

Disruptive impact

Several countries launched ever-advancing space missions and partnerships. For instance, the UAE launched a crewless spacecraft called the Hope Mars Mission in 2020, entering Mars’ orbit in 2021. The project is considered the Arab world’s first interplanetary space mission and generated unique data and theories about Mars’ atmosphere and composition.

The Emirati government invested $5.5 billion USD into space exploration, according to The National. Hope’s success is expected to encourage a new generation of Arab scientists and engineers. According to Sarah Amiri, the science lead for the Hope mission, they will assist in the transition of the country’s economic system from the oil industry to one that is less dependent on it.

Meanwhile, the ESA and the Canadian Space Agency contributed to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) launch in 2021. The telescope succeeded the famous Hubble Space Telescope and can capture even more precise pictures of solar systems using infrared. Scientists are hopeful that JWST will lead to a more profound discovery of other potentially habitable planets. Other initiatives aim to make space exploration more inclusive. In 2021, ESA opened applications for para-astronauts with physical impairments. The agency claimed that “space is for everyone,” which resonated with the 22,000 applicants.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to commercialize the highly protected government space agency to compete with its global counterparts. In 2021, Modi launched the country’s first private space organization (Indian Space Association). The draft policies, being finalized, will enable the commercialization of space technology and facilitate private investments in India’s space sector.

Implications of global space initiatives 

Wider implications of global space initiatives may include: 

• More collaboration among national space agencies to boost national space capability research, including launch infrastructure, establishing orbital space assets (such as satellite networks and space stations), as well as planning future Moon and Mars colonies.
• More countries emphasizing the need for better space diplomacy and politics as well as standards and regulations for space initiatives, exploration, and travel. 
• Increased employment in the space engineering and research sectors, leading to more youth being attracted to the field.
• Rapid developments in non-interplanetary experiments, such as space food research or supplementing global food production.
• More competition in the emerging space tourism industry, including ancillary services such as hotels and entertainment.

Questions to comment on

• How can governments better collaborate on space initiatives and missions?
• What are the other potential benefits of long-term space initiatives?