...the who's who,
and the what's what 
of the space industry

Space Careers

news Space News

Search News Archive

Title

Article text

Keyword

  • Home
  • News
  • Researchers call for strengthening sustainability regulations in laws governing space exploration

Researchers call for strengthening sustainability regulations in laws governing space exploration

Written by  Monday, 03 June 2024 20:18
Write a comment
NYU Abu Dhabi researchers call for strengthening sustainability regulations in laws governing space exploration
Artist's impression of NASA-led Artemis Base Camp on the lunar south pole. Credit: NASA

In a new study, a team of researchers led by Dimitra Atri of the NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Center for Astrophysics and Space Science call for strengthening existing planetary protection policies beyond the space surrounding Earth to include requirements for preserving the Lunar and Martian environments. In addition to biological contamination, they argue that guidelines should be expanded to address more than orbital debris, crowding, and security issues.

They also recommend adding compliance incentives to all existing and improved policies. Team members include Paulina Umansky from the University of California, Berkeley and K. R. Sreenivasan from New York University, New York.

In the paper titled "Sustainability as a core principle of space and " published in the journal Space Policy, the researchers present a new review of existing planetary protection laws and literature on planetary protection and identify key shortcomings of rules guiding .

Specifically, they cite several questions that existing laws leave unaddressed—including issues of atmospheric and abiotic contamination—which constitute important gaps in planetary policy that must be confronted, collaboratively.

Additionally, the researchers present arguments for the necessity of sustainability on planetary objects such as the moon and Mars and offer examples of terrestrial benefits that could be derived from sustainable exploration practices in space. Specifically, they cite the potential development of new technologies that—while designed for sustainable uses beyond Earth—could advance terrestrial technology.

NYU Abu Dhabi researchers call for strengthening sustainability regulations in laws governing space exploration
Artist's impression of NASA-led Artemis Base Camp on the lunar south pole. Credit: NASA

"Sustainability must become a core principle of human space exploration," said Atri. "Just as we view as the great challenge facing our terrestrial human society, the space community should begin to address space sustainability with the same urgency. The rules and procedures implemented now will govern the next generation of space exploration—rules that create a basis for clean and safe space exploration that will not only be productive and enforceable for years to come but are also stronger and more specific in their requirements and enforceability."

More information: Dimitra Atri et al, Sustainability as a core principle of space and planetary exploration, Space Policy (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.spacepol.2024.101636

Provided by New York University

Citation: Researchers call for strengthening sustainability regulations in laws governing space exploration (2024, June 3) retrieved 4 June 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2024-06-sustainability-laws-space-exploration.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Read more from original source...

You must login to post a comment.
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.

Be the first to comment.

Interested in Space?

Hit the buttons below to follow us...