Proposal for Independent Govt. of Space

In a communication class in business school, I was asked to prepare a 5-minute persuasive speech and a persuasive memo on a subject of my choice. I chose to speak and write about an issue that I care deeply about — the preservation of spatial entities and fairness in space.

Below is a summarized written version of the speech, which I presented in a simulated environment with me as Chancellor, Germany and the audience being the G-7 group of countries:

In this memo, I propose to you a new government, a Republic of Space, as the 196th country to UN General Assembly, which will be responsible for law, order, security and economic sustainability of assets and lives in space.

Below is some background on key issues that we are facing today and that necessitate the formation of an independent space government:

1. Congestion of satellites in geostationary orbits:

Around 2,500 satellites and 5,000 rockets have been sent into space which have led to accumulation of about 500,000 objects in geostationary orbits in space. These objects fly at the speed of 80,000 miles/hr., and have the potential to destroy the International Space upon collision. Moreover, 700 warning signals were sent by USA to satellites last year alone to warn about potential collision threats, which shows us the magnanimity of the problem.

Since no country today is willing to back up from satellite-missions, it is crucial for us to have an independent organization that represents space and controls influx of new satellites in space.

2. Threat of economic and ownership conflicts:

There have been a surge in number of private organizations such as SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic that are planning missions to Mars, Moon and other planetary objects to start industrialization and mining activities, with a timeline as short as 5–10 years. However neither United Nations nor national governments have answers to basic questions such as who owns the land or minerals in space, and how revenue will be split amongst several parties involved in space exploration.

3. Threat of international space conflicts:

USA has already launched a Space Force, and Russia, China and various other countries possess ASATs (anti-satellite missiles) and other weapons, which can use spatial assets to have disastrous impact on Earth and space. There is no single organization that currently regulates the use of space assets to prevent misuse or violation for warfare.

An independent government, if formed through a transparent and fair process, can solve all the above issues.

I, therefore, propose that we take the following steps to form the Republic of Space:

1. Elect a leader through a process similar to the UN General Assembly elections

2. Form a constitution for Republic of Space with clear law and order system

3. Start program to award citizenship to wealthy and meritorious individuals to generate financial resources and talent for further space exploration

4. Start taxation system that would extract revenue from space activities, such as satellite-operations and mining, to fund space exploration.

If we take the above measures, we can avoid another age of colonialism which we have seen to take millions of lives in the past, and build an alternative home, away from Earth, which will be critical if Earth environmental conditions change.

I hope that you all to express support for this proposal that I intend to float in the next General Assembly meeting of United Nations.