Today’s premise could easily be: if you want to invest successfully in an uncertain world on the brink of chaos, invest in space exploration. After all, space is the new frontier – a kind of cosmic resort where, when the Earth inevitably collapses, we can all relax in celestial oases. In fact, this narrative has been promoted by some space tycoons, such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, who have invested thousands of dollars in their companies and projects to explore and conquer other planets in the universe. According to author Mary-Jane Rubenstein, in her book Astrotopiathe insistent discourse about competition and the conquest of space has become a kind of corporate religion. The book’s argument is that the intensification of this space race is a simultaneously political, economic and scientific project, in which mythology supports all these efforts. Looking at space as a refuge for dreams, a salvation for everyday urban life, elevates it to an almost religious dimension, evoking eschatological themes from the Christian tradition.
In fact, the way we perceive space has changed a lot over the centuries. In the beginning of history, the universe was seen as a subject and, gradually, it was transformed into an object. In the oldest civilizations, such as Ancient Egypt, space was seen as a dominating force that controlled affairs on Earth, with societies conforming to the cosmic order. The social hierarchy itself reflected and was interconnected with the cosmos, often being formalized through architecture that conveyed spiritual and religious symbolism. However, this vision would fade with the European Enlightenment, where the cosmos began to be seen as an object of study, something to be controlled, managed and used for human purposes. This perspective was cemented by several scientists and philosophers, inspired by the thoughts of Francis Bacon and his idea of dominion over nature.
Today, this conception is reflected in the way in which our societies’ relationships with the cosmos are evolving, with space emerging as a stage where different forces – military, social and cultural – are exercised and competed. If once the space race was restricted to the rivalry between two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, today we are witnessing the entry of new protagonists, such as China, in addition to other nations, both European and from other regions of the world, that aim to explore and lead space missions.
At the same time, in this race, we are witnessing the meteoric rise of non-governmental actors, and it is precisely these that Rubenstein’s book focuses on, criticizing the ideology of corporations, shaped by colonialist fantasies, considered dangerous, as well as ethically and legally problematic. This process of privatization and commercialization of the cosmos, led by companies whose objectives are obscure and guided mainly by economic interests, represents a profound change in the way humanity relates to space. Instead of being seen as a common good, a domain of scientific exploration and global cooperation, space is gradually transforming into a capitalist joint venture.
This summer, the French company Look Up Space counted more than 10,000 active satellites in Earth orbit, of which more than 7,000 are Starlink satellites, belonging to SpaceX, a company created by Elon Musk. Inevitably, this number is increasing at a dizzying pace, raising “small” questions about the management of space and its possible environmental impacts. After all, what are some collisions in space between friends? They only contribute to the growing collection of “space junk”, this worrying problem that could, who knows, compromise future space missions and even cut off crucial services in our daily lives. And as if that weren’t enough, this increase in commercial satellites also comes with the added bonus of challenging weak attempts at international regulation. And best of all? So many satellites in the hands of a single company. What could go wrong with the monopolization of space and the control of essential infrastructure by private corporations?
Already Astrotopiathe author questions whether we should explore space, but, in fact, the exploration of the cosmos is already underway. Darwin’s idea in space sounds almost poetic, as if evolution and natural selection were now expanding beyond our planet, like an intergalactic saga. However, this Darwinian expansion can be seen in the capitalist race for space, where corporate competition dominates and exploitation becomes an extension of this struggle for power. Just as in nature, the strongest companies prevail, replicating a selection process on an interplanetary scale. Space exploration, instead of a collective journey, ends up reflecting the same logics of power and profit that perpetuate inequalities on Earth. Far from being just a new science fiction adventure, space exploration offers challenges and opportunities to understand how life can adapt to extreme conditions.
Instead of following corporate and geopolitical interests, space exploration should focus on our collective responsibilities, ensuring that the gains benefit humanity. If asteroid mining became viable, resources could be used to develop sustainable technologies and combat global crises, such as climate change and economic inequality, instead of being monopolized by powers or companies.
As exciting as the idea of escaping to Mars, where we can live in airtight bubbles while avoiding radioactive dust storms, or of building floating cities on Saturn, is, we’re still stuck on this pale blue dot.
