ANALYSIS OF SPACEFLIGHT ACTIVITIES’ IMPACT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Abstract

Sustainable development is the current paradigm for development in the global south. Since 1976 nations of the global south have conducted space missions. This work investigates which impact on sustainable development in the global south spaceflight has. The majority of Sustainable Development Goals can be addressed with space activities, e.g. by setting up satellite infrastructures for communication, creating businesses or supporting protection of ecosystems. Short-term effects such as build-up of own industry for own satellites and infrastructure can be seen when analysing satellite numbers and mission types. The reduction in launch costs and miniaturization of satellites in the 2010s have increased satellite numbers, by improving accessibility to space technology. This led to a thriving space industry in global south nations e.g. Argentina. The continuity of the effects cannot yet be determined fully, due to the recency of most activities, even though for some nations, e.g. Brazil or Indonesia, activities have been continuous. Strategic integration of space activities into planned sustainable development could not be detected. Potential benefits were realized mostly via services and there is unused potential for technology application on Earth.

Keywords

• sustainable development, spaceflight, satellites, space infrastructure, spin-off technologies