Who Governs Outer Space? Ethics, AI, and the Future of Space as a Global Commons

R. Kat Morse, Acting Head of Solutions Hub, 18 February 2026.

When we were invited to the United Nations for a conference titled “Outer Space: A New Frontier for the Common Good”, I was both surprised and genuinely excited. The last time I studied space law was briefly in law school. Since then, my reflections on outer space have mostly been shaped by Star Wars and The Expanse by James Corey. So stepping into a serious discussion about the ethics and governance of space was unexpected — and incredibly interesting.

First – this event was hosted by the Vatican. The Holy See, a Permanent Observer to the UN, was also among the parties to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. That treaty, developed during the Cold War, now has 118 States Parties, including all major spacefaring nations. Its central principle is clear: space is open for exploration by all states for the benefit of all humanity. Space is a global commons, meant for peaceful exploration and scientific benefit — a principle that has held for more than 60 years.

But the context has changed dramatically. According to recent data:

• Over 13,000 satellites are currently in orbit
• More than 2,000 satellites were launched in the last few months
• Applications have been filed for constellations totalling up to 200,000 additional satellites
• Over 1 million pieces of trackable space debris orbit the Earth

Space is no longer purely the domain of nation-states. Private companies now drive much of the expansion, including satellite constellations, AI-enabled navigation systems, and commercial space mining initiatives. The 1967 treaty did not anticipate commercial space activity, dual-use technologies, or the rise of artificial intelligence in orbit — yet space has become critical infrastructure for communication, navigation, climate monitoring, security, finance, and more.

This raises a key question: are our ethical frameworks keeping pace with technological change? Space governance is not just about exploration; it is about responsibility, economics, equity, and preventing a new arena of geopolitical escalation. Every speaker emphasised that space is a common good, not a frontier to be claimed, but a domain to be stewarded for all humanity.

At Globethics, we often speak about Responsible Governance and AI Ethics. Listening to regulators, industry leaders, and even an astronaut, I realised that space governance mirrors broader ethical challenges on Earth: accelerating innovation, expanding markets, concentration of power, and regulations trying to catch up. Ethics must not only keep pace — it must anticipate the challenges ahead.

The International Space Station remains one of the few enduring examples of international cooperation, even among politically divided nations. It shows that collaboration is possible, but it is not automatic.

Outer space may feel distant — 100 km away, to be exact — but the governance choices we make there will shape life here on Earth. From commercial satellites and AI systems to space debris management and mining rights, the policies we adopt now will determine whether space remains a shared global commons or becomes another frontier of inequality and conflict.

And this brings us back to the question I keep asking myself: if we struggle to govern responsibly on our own planet, how will we govern responsibly beyond it? Ethical leadership, transparency, and proactive regulation in space are not optional; they are essential. At Globethics, we are committed to exploring these frontiers of governance, ethics, and technology, ensuring that humanity’s reach into space is guided not only by innovation but by shared responsibility.