The Securitisation of Space Mining. Space Resources Acquisition in Between Geopolitics, Supply-Chain Challenges, and Environmental Risks

Abstract

The acquisition and industrial exploitation of resources in/from outer space (i.e., ‘space mining’) is at present more an ambitious plan than an actual thing, and enormous challenges will have to be met before it becomes reality. And yet, the power politics on Earth is already shaping the sector-to-be, with nation-states’ sourcing plans that clash in their trajectories and an increasingly hostile narrative. This is leading to a securitisation of the sector that can transfer dangerous dynamics from Earth to space and threaten the development of the sector itself, which should instead focus on addressing feasibility challenges first and foremost. Moreover, outer space is a fragile environment, and the use of advanced technology could be used in an offensive capacity, leading to cyberattacks and disruptions of space operation. This article investigates the ongoing securitisation and its risks, highlighting risks and challenges, from legal to technical to logistical, and the possible solutions to ensure space sustainability is given the centrality it deserves for a peaceful and fruitful development of the sector.