Billionaires are exploiting space—here's how we do better | Karlie Noon | TEDxCanberra

Key Concepts

• Artemis Program: A NASA-led program aiming to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable lunar presence, with the goal of eventually sending astronauts to Mars.
• Terraforming: The hypothetical process of modifying a planet's atmosphere, temperature, surface topography, and ecology to be similar to the environment of Earth, making it habitable for humans.
• Mega Constellations: Large groups of artificial satellites orbiting Earth, often deployed for global internet coverage.
• Terram Nullius: A Latin legal term meaning "nobody's land," used historically by colonial powers to claim sovereignty over lands inhabited by indigenous peoples, disregarding their existing rights and ownership.
• Colonialism: The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.
• Astrocolonialism: The application of colonial principles and practices to space exploration and resource utilization.
• Indigenous Astroenvironmentalism: An approach to space exploration and management that is guided by the principles and wisdom of indigenous cultures, emphasizing stewardship, interconnectedness, and sustainability.
• Caring for Country: A holistic practice developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for managing and protecting their lands, waters, and all living things, based on the understanding of being part of the environment rather than its owner.

The Colonial Echo in Space Exploration

The video begins by drawing a parallel between historical colonial expansion on Earth and the rhetoric surrounding modern space exploration. Former US President Donald Trump's 2020 speech advocating for the Artemis program, which aimed to land the first American man and woman on the Moon and be the first nation to plant a flag on Mars, is highlighted. Trump's reference to his "American ancestors" braving the unknown and settling the "Wild West" is critically examined. The term "new world," used by Christopher Columbus to describe the Americas in 1492, is identified as a term historically associated with European colonial conquest. This is directly linked to the Australian legal concept of terram nullius, employed by the British Empire to justify the seizure of indigenous lands and deny the humanity and sovereignty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The speaker posits that it is not a coincidence that terms historically used for exploitation were employed in a speech about space exploration.

Space Exploitation vs. Space Exploration

The video argues that some major players in the contemporary space industry exhibit a romanticization and practice of colonialism. Elon Musk's ambition to terraform Mars and his company SpaceX's deployment of mega constellations in low Earth orbit, which are described as changing and polluting the skies, are presented as examples. Similarly, Jeff Bezos's vision of expanding humanity into the solar system to meet ever-increasing energy demands is critiqued. The speaker contends that the focus on being "first," occupying space, and consuming resources beyond Earth's capacity transforms what is called "space exploration" into "space exploitation," despite the well-documented catastrophic consequences of colonialism on Earth, such as environmental destruction, species loss, and racism.

Indigenous Wisdom as an Alternative Framework

The video strongly advocates for an alternative approach to space exploration, asserting that it does not have to follow a colonial trajectory. Space exploration itself is not inherently problematic; it can advance our understanding of the universe, aid in planetary monitoring and protection, and unite humanity. The core challenge lies in conducting these endeavors in a manner that respects and sustains space for future generations. The ancient wisdom and narratives of indigenous cultures worldwide are presented as a crucial resource for achieving this.

Examples of Indigenous Perspectives on the Cosmos:

• Inuit People: In a 1987 essay, a group of Inuit people noted their regular visits to the moon and moon people, emphasizing that the critical aspect is not whether they visit their relatives, but how they treat them and their homeland.
• Pueblo People (Southwest Americas): They speak of ancient star kin called cacas, described as the spirits of all things in the universe. The cacas use ladders constructed by the Pueblo people to descend to land, and the Pueblo people can use these ladders to ascend to the sky realm.
• Tiwi People (Northeast Arnhem Land): Rain is seen as the mediator between land and sky.
• Kool Nation (South Australia): The rays of the setting sun serve as a mediator.
• Various Aboriginal Australian Mobs: Whirlwinds are believed to teleport people into the sky.

These indigenous perspectives are contrasted with the "remote, exploitative, militarized betrayal of outer space" enacted by the modern space industry. The very term "outer space" is seen as antithetical to indigenous understandings.

The Bwaka Group (Northeast Arnhem Land): This collective asserts that "country" encompasses the stars, moon, Milky Way, solar winds, storms, and intergalactic plasma, emphasizing that land, sea, and sky are interconnected. They reject the notion of "outer space" or "outer country."

Critiquing Designated Zones and the Need for Holistic Approaches

The idea of establishing designated zones in space for different activities (e.g., tourism, conservation, mining) is discussed and critiqued. Astrobiologist researcher Alejandro Marino is cited, pointing out that similar designated protected zones on Earth have not been immune to human activity. Australia, despite its rich biodiversity, has experienced unprecedented rates of animal extinction over the past 236 years, a direct consequence of colonial practices like introduced species and unsuitable farming techniques. The speaker argues that history demonstrates the insufficiency of conservation efforts that merely divide land into pieces. A more holistic and sustainable approach is required.

Indigenous-Led Astroenvironmentalism as the Path Forward

A policy document, developed in partnership with the Center for International Governance Innovation, is mentioned. This document targets governments and industry members of the space sector, offering strategies to avoid an "astrocolonial trajectory." The primary recommendation is for the industry to "engage and embrace indigenous-led astroenvironmentalism."

Key Principles of Indigenous Custodianship:

• 65,000 years of practice: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have developed and refined the practice of "caring for country."
• Interconnectedness: This practice is grounded in the understanding that humans are part of country, not its owners.
• Resilience: This custodianship has enabled these communities to navigate drastic climate shifts, mass animal extinctions, and colonial disruptions while maintaining the protection of country for future generations.

Conclusion: A Choice for Humanity

The video concludes with a powerful call to action. Looking at the night sky, the speaker urges the audience to see it not as a frontier to be conquered, but as a part of our shared heritage, ancient and profound. Every culture on Earth has gazed at the stars and felt "home" and "relatives," not emptiness or resources. As humanity stands on the precipice of becoming a space-faring species, a critical question arises: Will humanity export colonialism into the cosmos, or will it embrace a path guided by ancient wisdom? The speaker defines a true pioneer not just as an explorer, but as a protector.