108 | The New Wild West
There’s a ton of content in the media about what some people are calling the “new space age”: the era in which space is becoming more democratized—and more commercialized. At a minimum, media coverage about this new space age has been about Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and space tourism. While it’s clearly an exciting time to be in the business of space or to start a career in the space sector, peeling back all that fancy, sizzly coverage reveals a ton of unresolved questions you may not be hearing about unless you’re a true space geek. There are so many issues around it that we might as well just call the new space age the “New Wild West.”
In this episode, I explore a few of the many issues surrounding the new space age. I explain what mega constellations are and how artificial satellites are impacting the work of grand-based astronomers. I also share my hopes for the future and underscore why we all need to come together as we enter this new space age.
“My biggest hopes are that the countries and the companies will consider more than just short-term financial rewards; that they give some thought to not just what can be gained by their efforts, but also what might be lost if they don’t take care.”
- Kathy Sullivan
This week on Kathy Sullivan Explores:
● The number of active satellites orbiting the Earth
● The lack of orbital traffic management schemes and space treaties
● Issues around mining the moon and asteroids
● NASA’s Artemis Accords
● My hopes for the future of the new space age
Our Favorite Quotes:
● “There’s a lot of money and effort pouring into these new space possibilities, but everyone’s in an ‘act now, think later’ mode, as is often true when a bright new prospect is glimpsed.” - Kathy Sullivan
● “My highest hope is that the sentiment that was written on the Apollo 11 module will be fulfilled in this new era—that plaque read: ‘We came in peace for all mankind.” - Kathy Sullivan
Spaceship Not Required
I’m Kathy Sullivan, the only person to have walked in space and gone to the deepest point in the ocean.
I’m an explorer, and that doesn’t always have to involve going to some remote or exotic place. It simply requires a commitment to put curiosity into action.
In this podcast, you can explore, reflecting on lessons learned from life so far and from my brilliant and ever-inquisitive guests. We explore together in this very moment from right where you are--spaceship not required.
Welcome to Kathy Sullivan Explores.