FOUNDATIONAL PUBLICATIONS
Contouring ‘earth-space sustainability’
Yap, X.-S., & Truffer, B. (2022). Contouring ‘earth-space sustainability’. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 44, 185-193. Learn more
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There have been increasing calls in transition research for a global view of sustainability challenges. We argue that this focus should be expanded from a concentration on the Earth's surface and stratosphere to include outer space. The substantial growth of the space sector over the past decade has seen huge increases in the number of rocket launches, the diversity of actors, and the availability of new essential services that depend on space-based infrastructure. In particular, the rise of satellite-based infrastructure could drive the need for inter-related multi-system transitions across a wide range of Earth-bound sectors. These developments, however, cause diverse new sustainability pressures, such as atmospheric pollution, increased energy consumption, and the accumulation of space debris. To address these challenges, this article proposes earth-space sustainability as a new frontier for sustainability transition research, requiring the expansion of conceptual and analytical tools at the interface of transition and global governance research.
Towards earth-space governance in a multi-planetary era
Yap, X.-S., & Kim, R. E. (2023). Towards earth-space governance in a multi-planetary era. Earth System Governance, 16, [100173]. Learn more
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Abstract: The recent surge of private enterprise-led space activities is driving what is dubbed the New Space revolution. SpaceX as a frontrunner is working towards colonizing Mars by 2050, with the goal of transforming humans into a multi-planetary species. These developments and the imaginaries they generate are reshaping the discourse on planetary sustainability, where celestial bodies like Mars are seen as a solution to the challenges facing our Earth. Yet, space and its sustainability remain a rather distant concern in earth system governance. In this Perspective, we argue that the New Space revolution necessitates a corresponding shift in the governance paradigm from planetary to multi-planetary for a more integrated approach that recognizes the interdependencies of Earth and space sustainability. We propose a new governance model, earth-space governance, aimed at promoting justice and integrity for all forms of life in a multi-planetary context.
The emerging global socio-technical regime for tackling space debris: A discourse network analysis
Yap, X.-S., Heiberg, J., Truffer, B. (2023). The emerging global socio-technical regime for tackling space debris: A discourse network analysis. Acta Astronautica, 207, 445-454. Learn more
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There have been increasing calls in transition research for a global view of sustainability challenges. We argue that this focus should be expanded from a concentration on the Earth's surface and stratosphere to include outer space. The substantial growth of the space sector over the past decade has seen huge increases in the number of rocket launches, the diversity of actors, and the availability of new essential services that depend on space-based infrastructure. In particular, the rise of satellite-based infrastructure could drive the need for inter-related multi-system transitions across a wide range of Earth-bound sectors. These developments, however, cause diverse new sustainability pressures, such as atmospheric pollution, increased energy consumption, and the accumulation of space debris. To address these challenges, this article proposes earth-space sustainability as a new frontier for sustainability transition research, requiring the expansion of conceptual and analytical tools at the interface of transition and global governance research.
Four Alternative Scenarios of Commons in Space: Prospects and Challenges
Yap, X.-S., Janssen, M. A., Aganaba, T., Tutton, R., Korpershoek, K., Profitiliotis, G., Rabitz, F., Subbiah, M. S., & Wagenknecht, L. (2023). Four Alternative Scenarios of Commons in Space: Prospects and Challenges. International Journal of the Commons, 17(1), pp. 390–410. Learn more
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AbstractThe rapid expansion of human activities in outer space is likely to bring new economic, social, and political dilemmas in the next 50 to 100 years. Future governance will have to increasingly juggle earth-space social justice, resource trade-offs, and environmental sustainability issues. This poses new challenges to the governance of global commons, i.e. whether existing studies are fit to address commons in a global context and whether the governance of outer space commons (dis)integrates with Earth-bound sustainability governance. To explore these questions, this study uses scenario-building techniques to generate alternative future scenarios via a workshop conducted during the 2022 Commons in Space conference. We derived four future scenarios based on two major contextual conditions: (i) the degree of equity in resource distribution in space, and (ii) the degree of integration with Earth-bound sustainability, more specifically Earth system governance. The four alternative scenarios are (i) Space Cartel in which the use of space resources becomes dominated by the rich and powerful; (ii) Earth-centric Gold Rush in which the current ‘business as usual’ continues; (iii) Open Space (also Space Utopia) in which open access of space resources leads to thriving developments in space at the expense of sustainability on Earth; and finally, (iv) Earth-Space Sustainability in which challenges on Earth and in space are addressed through an integrative governance model. Based on the challenges identified from these scenarios, we discuss specific as well as cross-cutting implications for policy and governance to better address commons in space in the future.
COLLABORATIVE PUBLICATIONS
Fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration for space sustainability through an incentive-based mechanism
David, E., Saada, A., Pecujlic, A.N., Strah, M., Yap, X.-S., Wood, D., Kneib, J.-P. (2025). Learn more
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Abstract: The proliferation of debris in the space environment, congesting the Low Earth Orbit (LEO), constitutes a major challenge to the safety and sustainability of space missions and operations. Policy makers at the national, regional and international levels are developing and implementing frameworks to address the concerns of space debris. The processes require increased coordination and collaboration and are likely to take a number of years before entering into force.
However, as the sense of urgency calls for immediate innovative, multi stakeholder solutions with a global scope, private actors from the space industry can fill the current void by undertaking initiatives which would foster voluntary and inclusive action for the long-term sustainability of outer space. The Space Sustainability Rating (SSR) presents a compelling example, with the aim of incentivising space operators to design and implement sustainable space missions and operations while enabling other key stakeholders from the space ecosystem to become part of this collaborative effort.
In particular, the SSR provides a new way to support space debris mitigation through a two-pronged approach: (i) It provides a rating system useable by satellite manufacturers and operators informed by transparent and comprehensive assessment to get a clear picture of where a specific mission stands on sustainability and against best practices. (ii) It hosts an action-focused platform in which all actors from the space sector can engage, including throughout the value chain. In other terms, the SSR can serve as an action arm for the implementation of the current and future guidelines for space sustainability.
This work depicts how space actors, with a focus on satellite operators, are using the SSR. By showcasing an example of rating process and lessons learned with EnduroSat's Platform-1, it analyses its effectiveness to incentivise space actors to implement sustainable behaviours and lists the benefits they can derive from using the rating system. Furthermore, the experience of satellite operators from the other side is also described. The potential future developments to strengthen the incentive-based mechanism of the SSR are explored, and ultimately how its promotion among stakeholders, and potential spill-over, can lead to a wider adoption of the rating system (for operators, stakeholders from the space ecosystem and policy-makers).
RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS
The Economics of Space Sustainability DELIVERING ECONOMIC EVIDENCE TO GUIDE GOVERNMENT ACTION
Yap, X.-S. & David, E. (2024). Addressing earth-space sustainability: An incentive-based mechanism for satellite infrastructure under three scenarios by 2030. In: OECD Report on ‘The Economics of Space Sustainability: Delivering Economic Evidence To Guide Government Action’. Chapter 8, pp. 128-144. Learn more
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This chapter focuses on challenges related to the socio-economic
dimension of the “earth-space sustainability” concept, more specifically the
safety of the orbital environment for the long-term operation of space
infrastructure and how it might affect technological competition in the orbital region and the diffusion of sectoral services on Earth. It further explores the role of an industry certification programme – the Space Sustainability Rating – in contributing to earth-space sustainability in three future scenarios and uses the findings to formulate policy recommendations.
Governing Outer Space as a Commons is Critical for Addressing Commons on Earth
Janssen, M. A., & Yap, X.-S. (2024). Governing Outer Space as a Commons is Critical for Addressing Commons on Earth. International Journal of the Commons, 18(1), pp. 32–38. Learn more
Four Alternative Scenarios of Commons in Space: Prospects and Challenges
Yap, X.-S., Janssen, M. A., Aganaba, T., Tutton, R., Korpershoek, K., Profitiliotis, G., Rabitz, F., Subbiah, M. S., & Wagenknecht, L. (2023). Four Alternative Scenarios of Commons in Space: Prospects and Challenges. International Journal of the Commons, 17(1), pp. 390–410. Learn more
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Abstract: The rapid expansion of human activities in outer space is likely to bring new economic, social, and political dilemmas in the next 50 to 100 years. Future governance will have to increasingly juggle earth-space social justice, resource trade-offs, and environmental sustainability issues. This poses new challenges to the governance of global commons, i.e. whether existing studies are fit to address commons in a global context and whether the governance of outer space commons (dis)integrates with Earth-bound sustainability governance. To explore these questions, this study uses scenario-building techniques to generate alternative future scenarios via a workshop conducted during the 2022 Commons in Space conference. We derived four future scenarios based on two major contextual conditions: (i) the degree of equity in resource distribution in space, and (ii) the degree of integration with Earth-bound sustainability, more specifically Earth system governance. The four alternative scenarios are (i) Space Cartel in which the use of space resources becomes dominated by the rich and powerful; (ii) Earth-centric Gold Rush in which the current ‘business as usual’ continues; (iii) Open Space (also Space Utopia) in which open access of space resources leads to thriving developments in space at the expense of sustainability on Earth; and finally, (iv) Earth-Space Sustainability in which challenges on Earth and in space are addressed through an integrative governance model. Based on the challenges identified from these scenarios, we discuss specific as well as cross-cutting implications for policy and governance to better address commons in space in the future.
Unsustainabilities: A study on SUVs and Space Tourism and a research agenda for transition studies
Markard, J., Wells, P., Yap, X.-S. and van Lente, H. (2023). Unsustainabilities: A study on SUVs and Space Tourism and a research agenda for transition studies. Energy Research & Social Science, 106: 103302. Learn more
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Abstract: While transitions research has pursued a successful research agenda around how to improve established socio-technical systems in terms of sustainability, it has missed out, among other things, on innovations that make, or keep, societies less sustainable. In our paper, we explore two innovations in different stages of development: Sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and space tourism. SUVs entrench an existing socio-technical system and reproduce problematic practices, while space tourism might create a whole new, unsustainable system. We make three contributions. First, we introduce ‘unsustainabilities’ as a new term for technologies, institutions and practices that make, or keep, societies less sustainable. With this we direct attention to developments and structures that undermine ongoing sustainability transitions. Second, we distinguish unsustainabilities associated with socio-technical configurations, socio-technical systems, and meta-structures (spanning multiple systems). Third, we argue that precautionary policies will be needed in early stages of innovation, when there is still room to avoid unsustainable transitions.
The emerging global socio-technical regime for tackling space debris: A discourse network analysis
Yap, X.-S., Heiberg, J., Truffer, B. (2023). The emerging global socio-technical regime for tackling space debris: A discourse network analysis. Acta Astronautica, 207, 445-454. Learn more
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The global space sector has to increasingly consider sustainability concerns in the orbit, given the rising challenge of space debris. In which direction the management of space debris will develop in terms of technological solutions, policies, and actor strategies remains still unclear. This paper applies the concept of ‘global socio-technical regimes’ to better understand how actors in the global space sector frame, conceive, and legitimize the space debris problem. More specifically, we apply a discourse network analysis method – sociotechnical configuration analysis – to identify and map different value orientations by core actors over the last fifteen years. This analysis reveals three development stages in the discourse: a problem identification period (2007–2011), followed by the rise of national interests amidst increasing promises of space-based infrastructures (2012–2015), and finally, the emergence of a global socio-technical regime that increasingly connects space sustainability with Earth-bound sustainability (2016–2019). Based on our analysis, we expect that ensuring future earth-space sustainability will include a broader mix of challenges. Future approaches to space debris management will have to consider a broader and clearer problem framing to help inform effective policy making.
Guidebook for applying the Socio-Technical Configuration Analysis method
Miörner, J., Truffer, B., Binz, C., Heiberg, J., & Yap, X.-S. (2022). Guidebook for applying the Socio-Technical Configuration Analysis method. (pp. 1-19). (GEIST Working Paper; Vol. 2022, No. 1). Geography of Innovation and Sustainability Transitions. Learn more
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This working paper is part of the Socio-Technical Configuration Analysis (STCA) guidebook for beginners (see stca.guide). It serves as Chapter 1 of the guidebook, and introduces the conceptual and methodological foundations for the different analytical steps that are explained in subsequent chapters. We elaborate on the theoretical contexts in which socio-technical configurations, their dynamics and geographical variation play a key role and how this epistemological approach relates to well-established conceptual frameworks from innovation and transition studies. In STCA, statements or actions of actors that are reported in document stocks are aggregated into different forms of network or proximity map graphs, which can be interpreted as coherent storylines or strategies reflecting institutionalized socio-technical configurations shared by various actors. Shifts over time of these networks can then be interpreted as depicting transition dynamics, and comparisons across space as local variations of regime or innovation system structures. The paper introduces a coherent terminology to help researchers navigate through the different steps and software programs. It furthermore elaborates on a typology of research problems that can be analyzed through STCA and an overview on the generic steps that a researcher has to conduct when applying the method.
Technological Dimensions of Arctic Governance Opportunities and Challenges of Space-based Infrastructures for Arctic governance: Assessment from an innovation system perspective