Benefits of equitable access to space

The international space community can greatly benefit from becoming more equitable and inclusive. More space players could mean a greater number of unique geographic access points to launch payloads into orbit. Brazil’s Alcântara launch center, for example, holds considerable potential as the closest active site to the Equator, which could promise lower launch costs and fuel requirements.297

As space sectors evolve in countries around the world, they present new market opportunities in both the upstream and downstream segments of the international space economy (see box below).

For example, in addition to launch products and services, Brazil is likely to require Earth monitoring services to help mitigate climatic risks and track agricultural activities in the Amazon. Similarly, South Africa will continue to require satellite data to monitor

Upstream and Downstream Space Economy

Upstream: Research, space manufacturing, ground infrastructure equipment, instruments etc.

Downstream: Data, space-dependent products, and services (communications, navigation etc.)299 its shoreline.298 Markets are emerging in new countries, increasing demand for more products.

A proliferation of space actors and more demand for upstream and downstream products/services could drive economies of scale, while potentially enhancing efficiency and competition in global supply chains. In 2020, Space X won a logistics contract for the NASA Lunar Gateway program, to deliver payloads aboard the large Falcon launcher. The contract is firm-fixed price, with indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity for services, guaranteeing two missions per logistics provider to a maximum value of $7 billion.300 This signifies a step forward for the Artemis program, enabling NASA to order missions for up to 12 years with a 15year performance period and the ability to add new competitive providers.301 Contracts such as these are potential gamechangers, bringing commercial competition and innovation to government programs.

As more countries collaborate on space, there is also more opportunity to pool and share major costs, including procurement or research and development. New countries may find innovative uses for existing services and downstream data, which could generate major benefits and solve important problems, such as climate-related issues (see Chapter Five). In general, a larger space community could facilitate information consolidation. Climate data, disaster relief

297 Milani (2019). 298 Feldscher (2019). 299 ESA (2019) Measuring the Space Economy. https://space-economy.esa.int/article/34/measuring-the-space-economy 300 NASA (2020) NASA Awards Artemis Contract for Gateway Logistics Services. 27 March 2020. https://www.nasa.gov/pressrelease/nasa-awards-artemis-contract-for-gateway-logistics-services 301 Ibid.

and mapping, and GPS emission capabilities are just some of the many areas which could potentially benefit from additional data input.

An inclusive and equitable space domain is also conducive to peace and geopolitical stability, generating opportunities to develop new relationships or strengthen existing relationships between countries. A history of established defense cooperation is a key driver of strong space partnerships. South Korea’s shared military history with the United States, for example, lies at the heart of today’s space collaboration. Similarly, Saudi Arabia has an extensive track record of US defense deals.

There is the risk that international cooperation is divided into “space blocs”, along the geopolitical lines of cooperation on Earth.302 Brazil highlights an example of a space partner potentially caught between the interests of Russia and the United States. Conversely, regional rivalry could help boost space competition, which may prove evident in the case of Saudi Arabia’s regional space race with the UAE.

A more inclusive space domain is likely to lead to more attention to the cultural and historical consideration of space policies, increasing awareness of the importance of space to all humankind. As more actors enter space, they are likely to seek participation in international discussions on space governance to ensure their interests are represented. More perspectives to shape international space law could lead to greater equity in space. additionally, there could be more advocates for action on common risks and threats in space, such as orbital debris. There could also be a push to use space to address climate change on Earth, for example, via environmental monitoring and enforcement. As more actors join the community and take part in space governance, peaceful dialogue between states could be enhanced in other areas besides space.

302 Ben-Itzhak, Svetla (2022) Space Blocs: The future of international cooperation in space is splitting along lines of power on Earth. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/space-blocs-the-future-of-international-cooperation-in-space-is-splitting-along-linesof-power-on-earth-180221