Near-Earth space is becoming increasingly privatized, with the number of satellites in low-Earth orbits predicted to grow dramatically from about 2,000 at present to over 100,000 in the next decade due to the launch of planned satellite constellations. In addition to their direct impact on astronomy, the manner and pace of ‘occupying’ near-Earth space raises the risk of repeating the mistakes of colonization on a cosmic scale. We must consider the impact of satellite constellations, and related future initiatives, on the essential human right to dark skies and on cultural sky traditions across all peoples. We must also include all stakeholders for near-Earth space in the process of developing new policies for space treaties and planetary protection, the consequences of which will reach far beyond this century. We advocate for a radical shift in the policy framework of international regulatory bodies towards the view of space as an ancestral global commons that contains the heritage and future of humanity’s scientific and cultural practices.

近地空间正变得越来越私有化，由于计划中的卫星星座的发射，低地球轨道上的卫星数量预计将从目前的约2,000个急剧增加到未来十年的100,000多个。除了直接影响天文学外，“占据”近地空间的方式和步伐还增加了在宇宙尺度上重复定居错误的风险。我们必须考虑卫星星座以及相关未来举措对所有人的基本人权，即黑暗天空和文化天空传统的影响。在制定有关空间条约和行星保护的新政策的过程中，我们还必须包括所有近地空间利益攸关方，其后果将远远超过本世纪。