"BUT WHAT ABOUT
ALL THE PROBLEMS
HERE ON EARTH?"
It's a narrative we've all heard before. And it's totally understandable. But it's also a false choice. And a bit of a problem. Here's why:
Wherever you live, what happens in the world affects you
​​As citizens, we understand that we live in an interconnected and interdependent world, and we know that conversations and policies around topics such as energy, climate, finance, health, education, trade, human rights and international relations are important.
​​Wherever you live, what happens in space affects you too
​​
The same is true for space. Already we depend on space-based activities and infrastructure for much of our telecommunications, transport, navigation, security, climate monitoring, weather forecasting, disaster response, scientific research and technological innovation. But all that is only set to expand exponentially.​​​​​​
The sector is growing, and so is its impact
Launches are increasing, space companies are multiplying, and so too are the number of participating nations. Space is rapidly becoming a realm of business and strategic operations that touches every aspect of economic and political life. It is a major frontier of human development and the implications for every person and every aspect of our lives, from the food we eat and the water we drink to the services and institutions we rely on, are enormous.
Space has never been more accessible
Once limited to a handful of government agencies and elite, highly trained specialists, space is now more open than ever. Advances in technology, decreasing launch costs, and the rise of private actors have dramatically lowered the barriers to entry. More countries, companies, universities, and even individuals can now participate in space-related research, missions, and innovation.​​​​​​
Yet still feels out of reach and out of touch
​
Unfortunately, for many (most) of us, space still feels like a distant and irrelevant thing – the realm of science fiction; a place for engineers and Air Force pilots; a vanity project for billionaires; or a waste of taxpayer money, with little bearing for life on Earth. Priorities (understandably) seem out of touch with everyday concerns and toxic associations with private, geopolitical and military interests make that disconnect seem even more pronounced, further alienating an already cynical public.
Detachment is a self fulfilling ​prophecy
​​​
Yet these popular conceptions help to perpetuate a negative feedback loop. The more we disengage, the more likely it is for space development and activities to take place in a proverbial vacuum, outside the spotlight of public attention, oversight and participation. The more we resign ourselves to a future dominated by corporate interests or geopolitical posturing, the more likely that future is to occur.
The risks of the current trajectory
When activity in any domain unfolds without public engagement, it risks replicating many of the same failures that have shaped unjust and inequitable systems of the past - creating an ecosystem that prioritises short term advantage over long term public benefit; repeating mistakes (like environmental damage); exacerbating problems (like inequality); becoming more susceptible to the same pressures that have historically undermined sustainability and inclusivity; leaving the interests of the general public behind; and forcing us to recontest and reassert social, political and economic freedoms won over previous centuries.
The possibilities of a different one
But just as emerging systems and paradigms can reproduce harm, they can also be reshaped toward fairness, foresight, and collective good. A different future is possible – one in which space becomes a domain of shared benefit (both economic and otherwise), transparency, collaboration, innovative collective governance and public stewardship. By embedding democratic values early and meaningfully into decision-making processes, we can help ensure that space development uplifts rather than excludes, reflects the priorities of diverse communities, and avoids the worst excesses of unchecked power.
Just telling stories isn't enough
​
We often hear "space is for everyone", but it's merely a platitude unless we make it so. Inspiring narratives can spark interest, but lasting impact demands more than inspiration – it requires direct, tangible connection. To truly shift public perception, policy and practice, people need opportunities to be involved – not just as spectators, but as stakeholders. That begins with participation in governance – through consultation, deliberation, and collective visioning. But over time, it must include pathways to open access – to research, education, tools, missions, and ultimately to the material and cultural benefits that space can provide.
It has to make an impact
Of course, there are innumerable ways that space-based technology already helps address pressing challenges here on Earth, from global communications to food security. But as with other transformative waves, it often doesn’t truly resonate until it connects with the immediate needs and struggles of everyday life. For space to earn broader relevance, it must be visibly aligned with the public good – supporting tangible solutions to social, environmental, and economic issues people care about. The more people see space as a means to address real problems, the more they will invest their attention, trust, and imagination in its future.
Public participation can make a difference
While changing the behaviour of major powers, institutions, and industries is never easy, public participation can still move the needle, meaningfully and measurably. The mechanisms of multi-party democracy, civil society and the raw force of public pressure provide the points of leverage. At the local level, engagement can influence educational priorities, inspire civic and STEM initiatives, and foster community-led advocacy. At the national and international level, aggregated public input can shape discourse, inform policy agendas, guide funding decisions, and provide a counterbalance to purely commercial or strategic interests.​​​​​​
It's better for everyone
And it's not just the general public that stands to benefit. A healthy private sector depends on public support, as industries that lose the trust of the public find themselves progressively undermined, and state level interests can find themselves struggling in a vacuum of public support. Public detachment eventually leads to de-prioritisation and rejection. From a business or geostrategic perspective, objectives like technical interoperability, geopolitical stability, budget consent and approval, and even revenue generation all lean on widespread public engagement and appreciation.
The destination isn't yet set
History has shown that even entrenched systems can be shifted when people are informed and organised. We've seen it with opposition to conflict as well as social and economic injustice. We're seeing it in response to issues around climate change and artificial intelligence. Public voices, when channelled effectively, don’t just reflect values, they can drive outcomes. Democratic, participatory engagement has the power to reshape both how we talk about space, and how we go there. But we can't just wait around. The earlier we start, the better.​​​​​​
Our call to action
So, as both governments and private enterprises around the world move forward to advance their strategic and economic ambitions, it becomes increasingly critical for the general public to understand developments, consider implications and get directly involved in decision-making in order to ensure their interests are represented.
We call on everyone to imagine:
"What do I want our future to look like?"
and
"What do I think governments, businesses and other bodies should be doing right now to make that future a reality?"
then...