As humanity embarks on a new era of space exploration, of establishing permanent human bases on the moon and Mars, sustainability must become the bedrock of our exploration efforts beyond Earth. With the NASA-led Artemis program, private lunar exploration initiatives and the China-led upcoming International Lunar Research Station, our return to the moon and push towards Mars are set to define the 21st century. However, as we chart these new territories, the environments of the moon and Mars are at risk of irreversible alteration by human activity. We must adopt sustainability as a core principle in space exploration to safeguard their pristine environments and, by extension, our own future on Earth.
The concept of sustainability is not new. Historically, many ancient civilizations prioritized preserving nature, while those that did not, like the communities around the Aral Sea in the 20th century, faced catastrophic collapse. Today, the environmental impact of human activity is evident globally, pushing us into what most scientists call the sixth mass extinction and the Anthropocene epoch. As human activities are the primary cause of modern climate change, environmental protection has become a crucial factor for humanity’s long-term survival.
The lessons we have learned on Earth must guide our actions in space. The United Nations’ definition of the long-term sustainability of outer space activities emphasizes the need for equitable access and preservation for future generations. Current space sustainability efforts focus primarily on Earth’s orbit, addressing issues such as orbital debris and security. However, we must extend this focus to include the moon, Mars and other planetary bodies in the solar system.
Existing planetary protection policies, established to prevent biological contamination, need expansion. These policies, derived from the Outer Space Treaty (OST) and managed by bodies like the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR), have historically concentrated on preventing the biological contamination of Earth and other planetary bodies, such as of the moon during the Apollo missions and recent robotic exploration of Mars. However, they fall short in addressing broader environmental impacts, especially when permanent human bases are in consideration and NASA is envisioning an industrial base on the moon and making plans for a thriving Lunar economy. We must revise these policies to include abiotic factors, atmospheric contamination and the ethical use of resources on other planets.
The necessity for this shift in policy is urgent. Although crewed missions to the moon and Mars might seem distant, the decisions we make today will determine the long-term sustainability of these endeavors. We must ensure that our actions do not preclude future generations from benefiting from exploring our solar system. This involves creating policies that not only prevent biological contamination but also protect the broader environment of these planetary bodies.
Sustainable space exploration is bound to have benefits for Earth. The technological advancements and practices developed to maintain the integrity of extraterrestrial environments can be transferred to terrestrial applications. For instance, advancements in closed-loop life support systems, efficient energy use and resource management in space can contribute to more sustainable practices on Earth.
To achieve this, we must advocate for the development and enforcement of comprehensive planetary protection policies. These policies should encompass not only biological but also abiotic contamination and resource management. International cooperation will be essential, building on frameworks like the OST and COSPAR’s guidelines, but extending them to address the new challenges posed by large-scale human activities on the moon and Mars.
As we stand on the brink of a new era in space exploration, we have the opportunity to shape our future sustainably. By embedding sustainability into the core of our space policies, we can ensure that our exploration efforts beyond Earth do not repeat the mistakes made on our home planet. This commitment to sustainability will not only protect the environments of the moon and Mars but also foster innovations that can help create a more sustainable future on Earth. The time to act is now, for the benefit of all humanity, on Earth and beyond.
Dimitra Atri is an investigator at the Center for Astrophysics and Space Science at NYU Abu Dhabi, and the Group Leader of the Mars Research Group at New York University Abu Dhabi’s Center for Astrophysics and Space Science. He serves as the Principal Investigator of the ASPIRE Award for Research Excellence grant, conducting research with the UAE’s Hope mission to Mars.
