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Introduction
At first glance, space exploration may seem like a luxury for humankind, merely a showcase of what we can achieve as an intelligent species. Historically, the beginnings of space exploration appear to be simply a clash between powerful nations striving to validate the success of their respective ways of life. In modern times, the private efforts toward the stars resemble an extravagant hobby for billionaires. But is that all that space exploration really is?
History
To answer this question, we must first look back more than two thousand years, to when the first Greek astronomers gazed at the night sky and, in doing so, began theorizing about our place in the universe. A notable example of this endeavor is Aristotle’s book “On the Heavens,” which explained the nature of the cosmos, positioning Earth as the center of the universe. The geocentric perspective lasted for over a thousand years until Nicolaus Copernicus presented his thesis.
The tesis was revolutionary for astronomy studies and set a different way of studying the field. But to reduce the impact of Copernicus’s work to merely an astronomical discovery is a clear oversight, as it also represented a profound shift in how we perceive our place in the universe.
That being said, the same principle applies to modern-day space exploration: the impacts of scientific advancements associated with this field can be immensely significant in the long term, but it is not all that can be taken from those achievements.
The Cold War space race serves as a prime example, as it spurred numerous technological advancements but mostly it changed our comprehension on how far we can go once there is political will.
Space exploration and developing nations
For developing nations, such as Brazil, advancements in space technology under the framework of the Outer Space Treaty present an opportunity to diminish the economic gap between developing and developed countries. Recently, in August 2024, an agreement was reached between Brazilian President Lula and Chilean President Boric to facilitate cooperation in resources and technology.
‚The space sector is more strategic than ever for the development of a nation. Despite its importance, the space sector is one of the areas where the inequality between countries is most glaring. Export controls on components and technological inputs, access restrictions, and financial limitations disproportionately impact the Global South. Cooperation among countries in the South has the potential to reverse this disadvantage.’ — Lula
This agreement underscores the importance of incentives for collaboration between the public and private sectors, as both countries lack the technology to compete effectively without mutual cooperation.
While this recent agreement is a significant step toward a broader space program for Brazil, there remains an insufficiency of political will to implement such ambition in the short term. Therefore, to cultivate interest among politicians in the field, it is essential to promote the idea among the general population.
Space exploration as a party of national identity
One interesting way to promote this subject is to emphasize the importance of exploring the cosmos as a component of national identity. Particularly in developing nations, it is common for people to perceive themselves as part of an underdeveloped country, incapable of achieving great feats and always trailing behind.
Developing a space program fundamentally challenges that perspective, proving (most importantly) to ourselves that we, too, are capable of contributing to humankind’s journey to the stars. Recently, India successfully completed its first mission to the moon, called Chandrayaan, paving the way for other developing countries to follow.
One of the most significant consequences of such an achievement extends beyond technical advancements; it nourishes the imagination of the people, fostering pride in their country’s efforts to explore and advance.
Conclusion
In summary, there is much more to outer space exploration than meets the eye at first glance. The consequences of a well-developed space program extend far beyond the technologies it generates; they influence our outlook on the future and our commitment to investing in it. These initiatives can profoundly impact how the people of a nation perceive themselves and their potential on the global stage.
Carlos Eduardo da Silva Negrão*
Edited by Mariusz T. Kłoda
*Carlos Eduardo da Silva Negrão: Toruń Economic and Legal Summer Program (TELSP 2024) participant; project: Taxation in space – selected issues
Wpis ten nie stanowi opinii lub porady prawnej w rozumieniu obowiązującego prawa. Ma on wyłącznie informacyjny charakter. Autor wpisu nie ponosi odpowiedzialności za ewentualne skutki decyzji, podejmowanych na jego podstawie.