For too long, colonial language has dominated space exploration. There is a better way

United States News News

For too long, colonial language has dominated space exploration. There is a better way
United States Latest News,United States Headlines
  • 📰 SPACEdotcom
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 192 sec. here
  • 5 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 80%
  • Publisher: 67%

Art Cotterell is a researcher, policy adviser and lawyer. Art joined the School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) at the Australian National University (ANU) in late 2023 as a Research Associate, and is a Research Affiliate with the Australian Centre for Space Governance.

NASA plans to build a nuclear reactor on the moon — a space lawyer explains why, and what the law has to sayActing NASA administrator Sean Duffy says the agency will 'move aside' from climate sciences to focus on exploring moon and Mars'I'll be damned if that's the story we write': Acting NASA Administrator Duffy vows not to lose moon race to China'Artificial super astronauts': How AI and robotics could help humanity settle Mars‘Democratizing space’ is more than just adding new players – it comes with questions around sustainability and sovereigntyWe’re going back to the Moon and then to Mars!Today’s announcement is just the beginning.

Through science and new technology, @NASA space exploration is reaching incredible new boundaries.We hope that you will join us for this exciting journey as America leads in the final… pic.twitter.com/W3mNs2S4c3An Indigenous-inspired lens can help us envision and build a future with stewardship and shared responsibility, not competition and conquest.Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors‘Democratizing space’ is more than just adding new players – it comes with questions around sustainability and sovereigntyThe expressions used to understand, engage with and think about space aren’t neutral. They still carry the ideas ofThe idea of a"manifest destiny" is driven by a human-centric approach to the environment. The moon or other celestial bodies are seen as resources to be conquered by first arrivals. Phrases such as"as the province of all humankind and for the benefit of all nations, not only the powerful and privileged few. Yet a gap between principles and practice remains. How we talk about space affects the futures we create off-Earth – and a better framing already exists in Indigenous perspectives.– which broadly encompasses the concept of stewardship – envisions a future grounded in reciprocity and shared responsibility. It extends beyond the human to embrace the more-than-human world.This perspective challenges the assumptions that only people hold moral standing. Instead, the night sky and celestial bodies have value in and of themselves. Kaitiakitanga also maintains intergenerational responsibilities: ensuring that decisions made today honor past, present and future relationships. Such obligations also support nascent calls for anunder the guidance of the Yolŋu songspiral Guwak"refuses the idea of space, portrayed by would-be space colonisers as a dead, empty stock of resources awaiting exploitation." Instead, it recognizes space as an ancestral domain for Indigenous and some non-Indigenous peoples globally. It explains how"space colonization" risks disrupting and harming enduring, millennia-old connections and ethical obligations of care to the sky and beyond.When we shift the conversation away from the human-centric logic of exploitation and empire-building, we also expand who has a relationship with and a responsibility to space.To realize this future, we must reclaim the narrative around outer space from powerful actors who use exclusionary language grounded in coloniality. Instead, we should move towards a more inclusive, relational and sustainable ethic of stewardship.to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at:Art joined the School of Regulation and Global Governance at the Australian National University in late 2023 as a Research Associate, and is a Research Affiliate with the Australian Centre for Space Governance. Prior to joining academia, Art was an executive level advisor on regulatory reform within Australian Government central agencies, and previously worked in international policy and cooperation on intellectual property . Art’s research is on regulating emerging technologies, with a focus on balancing public and private interests and using technology as a basis for international cooperation. Art is completing their PhD on international outer space and IP law at The University of Adelaide.NASA plans to build a nuclear reactor on the moon — a space lawyer explains why, and what the law has to say 'We are ready for every scenario.' NASA's Artemis 2 astronauts say they're all set for historic flight to the moon 'This is how I'm going to land': New NASA astronaut candidate's helicopter skills could come in handy on the moon

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

SPACEdotcom /  🏆 92. in US

 

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

UNGA 2025 Confronts AI As A Global Governance ChallengeUNGA 2025 Confronts AI As A Global Governance ChallengeNew initiatives at the UN General Assembly 2025 pledge to turn AI from a wild frontier into a coordinated global endeavor, but questions around equity and viability persist.
Read more »

Vitalik calls for open-source infrastructure in health, finance, governanceVitalik calls for open-source infrastructure in health, finance, governanceVitalik Buterin urges open-source, verifiable infrastructure across healthcare, finance and governance, warning that centralized, opaque systems erode trust and security.
Read more »

Chula Vista Art Fest returns for its third year, highlighting growing local art sceneChula Vista Art Fest returns for its third year, highlighting growing local art sceneThe city’s third annual art festival returns Saturday, joined by the newly opened Casa Casillas cultural art center. Local artists and vendors will gather outside City Hall.
Read more »

How Enterprise Governance Can Unify ESG, Risk And ComplianceHow Enterprise Governance Can Unify ESG, Risk And ComplianceJust as the brain interprets signals and coordinates the body’s actions, companies need a central site of intelligence.
Read more »

How Preemptive Cybersecurity Enhances Cybersecurity Governance And Strengthens GRC As A WholeHow Preemptive Cybersecurity Enhances Cybersecurity Governance And Strengthens GRC As A WholeWhen preemptive cybersecurity becomes a pillar within the GRC framework, it strengthens the entire system, giving boards a predictive and continuous view of risk.
Read more »

Recent research explores the contributors to a good working life.Recent research explores the contributors to a good working life.Just as with the good life more broadly, satisfaction, meaningfulness, and psychological richness are key contributors to the overall quality of work life.
Read more »



Render Time: 2026-04-01 18:19:44