A Framework for Extraterrestrial Environmental Assessment

doi:10.1016/j.spacepol.2020.101385

Space Policy

Volume 53, August 2020, 101385

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2020.101385 Get rights and content

Highlights

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Actions on the Moon and Mars may impact those environments.
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A process for environmental impact assessment is needed.
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To date, no framework for an assessment process has been described.
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This article proposes an extraterrestrial environmental assessment process.

Abstract

Many of the proposed and foreseeable activities on the Moon, Mars, and elsewhere in our solar system will require construction and similar actions. Most will, by intent, alter those natural environments in a variety of ways. Some impacts may foreclose future options for use of the area, hinder sustained access to resources, impede long-term human occupation, interfere with scientific or other purposes, harm cultural assets, create unsafe conditions, or cause other detriments. A long-proven method for reducing adverse effects here on Earth has been to assess the proposed actions in a structured manner during the planning process, to identify adverse impacts, and to seek opportunities to avoid, minimize, and mitigate harm. However, such a process is currently not required for space actions and has been largely ignored by space industries, academic and scientific organizations, and governments. In addition to advocating the need for an appropriate assessment and review process, this article proposes a simple framework as a starting point for discussion. While it draws upon environmental assessment procedures developed in the US under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), it does not recommend that NEPA be applied to extraterrestrial actions. In fact, NEPA may be counterproductive. Rather, it suggests that space industries and other space actors themselves should consider developing and using an appropriately structured assessment process.

Section snippets

A rapidly evolving problem in space development

Nearly all reasonably foreseeable physical activities on the Moon, Mars, and elsewhere, such as construction, mining, energy production, and human habitation, may adversely affect those extraterrestrial environments [1]. Just as proven here on Earth, adverse environmental impacts have the potential to increase long-range costs, reduce efficiencies and resource sustainability, foreclose options for future use, impede scientific research opportunities, negatively affect commercial activities,

The neglected need for extraterrestrial environmental assessment

Regardless of space industries, government agencies, and other space actors, such as scientific missions, not recognizing (or choosing not to acknowledge) the critical need for extraterrestrial environmental assessments (EEAs), once proposed actions on celestial bodies are underway, it is predictable that interest groups and perhaps governments will demand them. Consider the scenario of a commercial surface mine on the Moon or Mars. Competitors (e.g., another commercial mining interest that

National Environmental Policy Act and potential sources of reticence to EEAs

If involved industries and other space actors understand the benefits of environmental awareness for space actions, their past inaction to confront the issue provides evidence they are reluctant to publicly express it. Perhaps there is a perception that acknowledgment would expose anticipated extraterrestrial actions to the same rigorous regulations that currently exist for terrestrial actions, potentially stifling their ambitions and hobbling attempts to profit from their ventures. Or they may

Framework for EEA

An environmental assessment assists in identifying the direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of an action affecting the environment. When completed, it demonstrates a concern for sustaining common resources. For extraterrestrial actions, an EEA would need to include measures supporting the wise use of the global commons of outer space. It would support the Outer Space Treaty and similar international sentiments and aid in developing confidence among investors. As envisioned in this article,

Final thoughts

In addition to its direct environmental benefits, even the simplest EEA will document that a specific action was undertaken at a specific location over a specific period. Once completed, assessments could be digitally filed in a library managed by space industries or others and made available for public reference. They would become a permanent record for documenting pre-action baseline conditions that may be invaluable in decades and centuries to come. With the addition of each new EEA, the

Next actions

As stated previously, this proposal for a framework for EEAs is a starting point, not a conclusion. It is hoped that space ventures and governments will consider the benefits of such an approach in addressing the foreseeable reality of adverse impacts and begin to build a workable and efficient framework. If commercial and other actors do not seriously address this issue and create such a mechanism, governments may in response to public concern, either individually or through international

Author statement

The author certifies that this material or similar material has not been and will not be submitted to or published in any other publication before its appearance in Space Policy.

Declaration of competing interest

The author declares that he has no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this article.

Acknowledgments

The author would like to sincerely acknowledge Joan E. Canfield for her continued encouragement, insight, and assistance.

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Improving technology could enable new commercial and scientific activities in outer space, including crewed stations, space mining, and advanced planetary science in locations like the Moon or asteroids. To facilitate novel space exploration activities, the United States led the development of a new multilateral set of principles, the Artemis Accords. The Accords and other soft law propose the ability to establish “safety zones” surrounding space operations of participant states and mission-authorized nationals. Safety zones are controversial because their implementation could violate the non-appropriation and other principles of the Outer Space Treaty. Thus, successfully implementing safety zones is essential to the Artemis Accords’ framework to unlock space resources and encourage other novel activities. This study reviews the history and principles behind safety zones in outer space. It identifies the requirements such zones place on operators and the obligations they can create for other states and actors. In evaluating three hypothetical case studies on the Moon, it proposes an algorithm for the establishment, alteration, management, and termination of a safety zone. Finally, it recommends pathways to develop and implement safety zones in an iterative manner consistent with international law and best practices for industry, including conceiving of safety zones as “safety conditions.”
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It is important that adequate scientific information is collected before OEM activities begin and that any changes that occur as a result of these activities are characterised through comparison with baseline studies. Kramer [8] notes that the effect that any actions may have on the state of water, its chemistry or any other characteristics should be considered. The existence of microbial life on Mars has been the subject of considerable debate in the scientific literature for decades and has yet to be conclusively discounted as a possibility (e.g., Refs. [43–46]).
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View all citing articles on Scopus

¹: www.OuterSpaceConsulting.com.

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A Framework for Extraterrestrial Environmental Assessment

Highlights

Abstract

Section snippets

A rapidly evolving problem in space development

The neglected need for extraterrestrial environmental assessment

National Environmental Policy Act and potential sources of reticence to EEAs

Framework for EEA

Final thoughts

Next actions

Author statement

Declaration of competing interest

Acknowledgments

Space Pol.

Space Pol.

Space Pol.

Space Pol.

Adv. Space Res.

Acta Astronaut.

International Study of the effectiveness of environmental assessment-final report: environmental assessment in a changing world - evaluating practice to improve performance

Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment

The Environmental Element in Space Law: Assessing the Present and Charting the Future

Where no planetary protection policy has gone before

Int. J. Astrobiol.

Protecting the Environment of Celestial Bodies (PECB Cosmic Study), IAA 2010

Planetary protection from a legal perspective - general issues

Responsible space exploration and use: balancing stakeholder interests

New Space

Mars atmospheric dust and human exploitation

The Space Review

Mission Statement