Space: governance, colonisation or weaponisation?

Aims of the course

This course aims for you to:
1. Discuss if human appropriation of Space is possible or desirable in the 21st century and beyond along with exploring the limits and challenges of human activity in Space.
2. Analyse the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics in space exploration and how technologies used for Space can be used on Earth.
3. Analyse the role of what are termed Space Power vs Spacepower and the need for space law, while investigating the challenges of working and living in space, along with the development of the commericialisation of space.

Content

This course is an overview of the challenges of becoming a multi-planetary species. We will discuss the human desire to explore and briefly look at the history of space exploration. We will uncover issues in the colonisation of space from the challenges of living and working in space to the governance of space. We will discover the meaning of Space Power, Spacepower, and the need for Space law. We will also look at how to make the colonisation of space easier from the of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics to the commercialisation of space as it moves away from being strictly led by government organisations. Presentation of the course The course will be taught over five lectures, with time for questions at the end of each.

Class sessions

1. Why Colonise Space? Humans have an innate need to explore and push boundaries, but is moving on to colonise the final frontier the logical next step? What do we hope to learn off planet, and what are the benefits of colonisation? We will discuss and debate the merits of exploration and moving off world, and well as the implications of the term colonisation as it relates to its historical context.

2. Challenges of Space Colonisation In the second session, we will look at the challenges of living and working in space and on other planetary bodies. Is the colonisation of the Moon, Mars, and beyond possible? How soon will we become a planetary species? The technology and requirements for successful colonies will be discussed along with the possible purposes of these colonies.

3. How AI is Advancing Space Exploration How is Artificial Intelligence (AI) used for space exploration? From satellite guidance to reviewing data, AI already plays an important role in the space programme. AI is in the news, and many key figures feel it is advancing at a rate too fast for humans to keep up with safely. Will tools related to ChatGPT and OpenAI benefit future space exploration and colonisation, or are they to be feared in case programming goes wrong, like HAL in the movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey?

4. The Role of the Commercial Sector in the Advancement of Space Commercial companies have joined the new space race and may be among the first to bring humans to space colonies. This session will discuss how the face of space exploration is changing as new players arrive on the scene. We will uncover the difference in development and aspirations between an exclusively national-driven space program, as in China, compared to a more fragmented one, as in the US. We will also evaluate where players from around the world fit. Finally, we will discuss how laws and regulations may be necessary both on Earth and in Space to keep the space frontier from becoming a new Wild West.

5. Space Power, Spacepower, the Artemis Accords, and Space Lawfare Who governs space? As more countries and entities enter the space field, it is important to understand the differences between Space Power and Spacepower. Will the final frontier become a new arena for weaponisation and war? What laws govern the space sector and what additions will be necessary in the future? NASA intends to shortly return American astronauts to the Moon with the Artemis program. A significant part of the Artemis program is the Artmeis Accords, a series of bilateral agreements between NASA and other international civil space organisations that agree on a set of principles to guide future space missions. The Artemis Accords have significant legal, political, and space operations ramifications, and these will be discussed and debated through the lens of the course. We will also analyse China’s role as a key player in space.

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes for this course are:

1. An ability to think about space through a broad range of issues and debates, including why we should leave Earth, the challenges of leaving Earth, the use of AI, the commercial space sector, and the need for an understanding of Space Power, Spacepower, and Space law. 
2. A familiarity with the ideas, terminology and liabilities that the subject of space encompasses. 
3. An understanding of space in proper context, particularly with regard to the history of its impact in international relations as well as the development of the commericialisation of space. 

Required reading

Comins, Neil F. The Traveler's Guide to Space: For One-way Settlers and Round-trip Tourists. 2017.

Deudney, Daniel. Dark Skies: Space Expansionism, Planetary Geopolitics, and the Ends of Humanity. 2020.

Goldsmith, Donald, and Martin Rees. The End of Astronauts: Why Robots Are the Future of Exploration. 2022.

NASA, The Artemis Accords, 13 October 2020. PDF can be found on the VLE

UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, International Space Law: United Nations Instruments. Web link can be found on the VLE  

US Space Force, Space Capstone Publication Spacepower: Doctrine for Space Forces. August 2020. PDF can be found on the VLE

Typical week: Monday to Friday

Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students. 

Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.

Evaluation and Academic Credit 

If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses. 

Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay.

For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.