SGAC Newsletter

The long term future has recently been positioned as a key moral consideration for our actions in space by philosophers such as Nick Bostrom and Toby Ord, as space is a potential for space as a habitat for trillions of future people. Opening up that long term future is a common mantra among new space companies like iSpace, SpaceX, and REDWIRE. But with such a rapid rate of technological development by these companies, international space policy can sometimes lag. And if agreements cannot be put in place to protect the long term future, then bad norms may set our long term future on a bad trajectory. However, as the first human settlements in space are being planned is an important time to put in place foundational policy. Space policy can only become more politically charged as the future unfolds, so now may be our best shot to set our long term future on a good trajectory. 

Pioneering Science in Microgravity!  In May 2024, remarkable members of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), Florence Pauline Basubas, Matej Poliaček and Nikol Koleva embarked on a transformative journey aboard the G-Force One as part of the Aurelia Institute’s Horizon Program. Representing emerging space nations and a shared vision for inclusivity and innovation in space exploration, their contributions to microgravity research showcased the potential of diverse perspectives and resourceful experimentation.

On 3 June 2021, Mauritius launched its first satellite, the Mauritius Imagery and Radiocommunication Satellite 1 (MIR-SAT1) from the NASA Kennedy Space Centre in Florida via the SpaceX-CRS22 Cargo mission to the International Space Station. Deployed into orbit on 22 June 2021, this milestone was achieved through the KiboCUBE Programme, under the aegis of cooperation between the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). A key objective of MIR-SAT13 was to capture data of the extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) ofMauritius, spanning approximately 2.3 million square kilometres.

As space technology becomes increasingly paramount to modern life on earth, it also becomes increasingly critical to highlight the risks and global security implications relating to the space domain. This was the backdrop of the term “Peaceful use of outer space” in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. 1 ‘Recognising the common interest of all mankind in the progress of the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes,’ the concept is a goal and a requirement for the international community to achieve reasonable standards in their space activities. This includes the exclusive prohibition of the establishment of military bases, installations and fortifications, the testing of any type of weapons and the conduct of military maneuvers on celestial bodies.2 Celestial bodies such as the moon, for instance, are subject to exclusively peaceful use requirements under existing international law.

The rapid evolution of the internet and technology has brought significant opportunities and challenges, particularly concerning child protection and societal well-being. As children increasingly access the internet for entertainment and social interaction, concerns about the reliability and trustworthiness of online information have grown. Governments play a crucial role in safeguarding their citizens, especially minors, from the potential risks associated with internet use.

In a world where dreams are the seeds of tomorrow, there's a universe of wonder waiting to be explored, and it's closer than we think. It's in the twinkle of a child's eye as they gaze at the night sky, wondering what lies beyond. It's in the stories we share, the dreams we nurture, and the belief that every child has the potential to reach for the stars.