Featured Speaker

Professor Aaron Boley Prof. Boley is a Canada Research Chair in Planetary Astronomy, the Co-Director of the Outer Space Institute, and an associate professor at the University of British Columbia. His research explores a wide range of topics, including planetary dynamics, astrophysical discs, meteoritics, artificial satellites, space sustainability, and space policy. Before joining the faculty at UBC, Boley was a NASA Sagan Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Florida and a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of Zurich.

Abstract

On the Challenges of Developing Space Sustainably The rapid development of low Earth orbit (LEO) is being done without due regard for the long-term preservation of LEO or humanity's connection with the cosmos. In particular, large constellations of satellites, i.e., so-called mega-constellations or satcons, have the potential to severely interfere with the use and exploration of space by numerous other actors. This includes interference with astronomy and stargazing through light and spectrum pollution. Satcon development also will have non-trivial environmental impacts on Earth's atmosphere. At the same time, space is free to be used and explored by all actors, provided that the use of space by one actor does not prevent others from also using and exploring space. In this talk, we will discuss ways in which the application of the consumer electronic model to space use, as well the industrialization of space, has the potential to lead to multiple tragedies of the commons. We will also discuss some of the ongoing efforts to foster sustainable practices.