7 Ways space sustainability impacts the world (original) (raw)

Maintaining a safe and sustainable environment in space has vast impacts across industries and the world.

1. Global economy

Space activities are a major driver of the global economy. The World Economic Forum’s 2024 Insight Report estimates the impact today at more than $600 billion, and reaching potentially into the trillions over the next decade. A sustainable approach is crucial to ensure that all nations continue to benefit from innovative uses of space.

2. Equitable access to space

Ensuring equitable access to orbital and spectrum resources allows all countries to participate in the space economy and facilitates their ability to achieve their goals for national prosperity and sovereignty.

3. Space safety

Near-Earth space is a fragile environment and a limited natural resource. Overconsumption of that resource creates significant risks to space safety — including but not limited to the risk of collisions that could render larger areas of space unusable and inaccessible for generations.

4. Digital inclusion

According to the ITU, in 2023 nearly 2.6 billion people remain unconnected worldwide. Space is a vital resource that can help to bridge this digital divide and improve global health, education, safety, productivity, and prosperity. But this resource can only be leveraged for long-term benefits if space is populated and used in a sustainable manner. If space is rendered unusable due to overpopulation and overconsumption, connectivity for all on Earth will be irreversibly impacted.

5. Earth’s environment

Recent press reports note the growing concerns about environmental harm caused by the way space is being overconsumed. These concerns include: damage to the ozone layer and our oceans caused by the intensification of launch activities and thousands of spacecraft burning up when they re- enter the upper atmosphere; harms to astronomical research; enjoyment of the night sky; the life cycles of migratory animals as the result of light pollution; and damage to the space environment caused by collisions and the resulting debris.

6. Science

The future of space exploration, science, experimentation, and earth observation are dependent on space remaining safe and reliably accessible and without interference with astronomy and asteroid defense systems caused by populating space without effective oversight and management.

7. Geopolitical stability

All nations rely upon the delivery of critical capabilities from space systems for essential services and applications. It is important that we work to facilitate an inclusive space economy that strives to benefit all nations and incentivizes international collaboration, deters hostility, and preserves the continuing viability of the space economy.

Learn more about Viasat’s commitment to Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) in our recent 2024 Impact report ESG | Viasat