Calls for Action
International space agencies like NASA and ESA, academic institutions, and space law associations can convene space lawyers and futurists to develop alternative governance frameworks for issues in space beyond existing treaties (see Appendix I Question 2).
Major space organizations such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, NASA, and international counterparts should collaborate to establish a voluntary agreement among key space organizations to not launch biological payloads without consensus, to allow time to address welfare issues.
Universities, think tanks, and philosophical societies should organize philosophical movements and discussions to continuously improve our ethical values and understanding before spreading life throughout the cosmos (see Appendix I Question 1).
Multidisciplinary Research teams can continue addressing uncertainties around sentience, potential impacts and how to maximize happiness for all beings that may exist in space due to human expansion efforts (see Appendix I Question 3).
International bodies such as the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) can explore governance models and coordination mechanisms that may be required if encountering other intelligent civilizations in the universe.
Main Outcomes
Humanity addresses uncertainties and responsibilties that come with potential expansion throughout the cosmos.
Legal and ethics experts should develop alternative governance frameworks for issues like jurisdiction in space.
Key space organizations must establish voluntary agreements among each other on issues like biological payloads and also sharing economic benefits from space resources more equitably on Earth.
Researchers and think tanks should work on addressing how to maximize happiness for all sentient beings in any future space populations.
Ethics and philosophy Departments such as in Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics (University of Oxford),Future of Humanity Institute (FHI), University of Oxford,MIT Media Lab Ethics Initiative, must raise important long-term questions about ethics, welfare, and coordination in AI.
Panel Discussion Summary
The conversation centered around the ethical and legal challenges of space exploration, including the impact of satellite constellations on astronomy, the potential for militarization of space, and the need for effective governance to address issues such as satellite debris and weapons in space. Prof. Jeff Sebo emphasized the importance of improving human values and goals before expanding into space, while Ms. Duettmann and Dr. Sandberg discussed the current state of space governance and the need for more idealistic and long-term approaches to address emerging issues. Prof. Jeff raised concerns about negotiating new space treaties and the need for a more proactive approach to legal futurism.
In this discussion, speakers emphasized the need of improving values, governance and ethical considerations before embarking on large-scale space exploration and settlement efforts.They aim to address uncertainties, risks, and welfare concerns for future space populations.Based on which the plans to develop principles and mechanisms can be ensured so that space expansion benefits all beings.
Panelists represented different perspectives from academia, nonprofits and research institutions focused on Space research and exploration
Dr. Anders Sandberg discussed space travel becoming cheaper but rockets still being inefficient. He said governance of space is an issue as treaties are outdated. Sandberg proposed convening lawyers and futurists to develop alternative governance frameworks and establishing voluntary agreements to not launch biological payloads without consensus.
Prof. Jeff Sebo addressed that we need to improve our values and address uncertainties before spreading life throughout space, to help ensure positive lives for all beings and consider potential risks to future populations from our actions in space exploration.
Allison Duettmann discussed the potential for satellites to help monitor the environment and biodiversity on Earth. She also mentioned how emerging mining on the moon could raise new property rights issues and suggested resources from space could provide an inheritance for all on Earth if economic windfalls are shared. Allison noted coordination may be needed if/when encountering other civilizations in space.