This blog post is designed to inspire students studying law or economics by highlighting how their area of study can intersect with planetary defense. While the examples below offer a starting point, we encourage proposals that explore other ideas and approaches. Additionally, students are not required to submit a proposal directly related to their degree focus.
Planetary defense is a global challenge that requires coordinated governance and sound policy frameworks. From establishing international agreements to defining ethical guidelines, policymakers and governance experts ensure that efforts to mitigate asteroid risks are equitable, effective, and sustainable.
Key policy and governance aspects of planetary defense:
- International Cooperation
- Facilitating agreements between nations on asteroid detection, monitoring, and mitigation strategies.
- Collaborating on shared responsibilities for funding and deploying planetary defense missions.
- Treaties and Frameworks
- Refining and expanding existing treaties, such as the Outer Space Treaty, to address planetary defense challenges.
- Proposing new agreements to ensure global collaboration in planetary defense activities.
- Global Coordination Systems
- Establishing international protocols for asteroid impact warnings and response coordination.
- Developing standardized methods for assessing and communicating risks to governments and global organizations.
- Data Sharing and Transparency
- Advocating for open access to asteroid observation data to enhance global cooperation.
- Promoting equitable sharing of information and resources for planetary defense.
- Institutional Leadership
- Empowering organizations like the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to lead planetary defense efforts.
- Supporting the creation of new international bodies focused on asteroid threats and policy implementation.
Resources for Further Exploration
- The Outer Space Treaty (1967): The cornerstone of international space law, governing the use of outer space. UNOOSA
- Near-Earth Object (NEO) Threat Mitigation Protocols: Frameworks for global responses to NEO threats. Planetary Defense
- United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA): Leads international collaboration on space governance. UNOOSA
- Space Policy Edition Podcast: Discusses contemporary issues in space governance and policy. Planetary Society
- IAWN and SMPAG: Collaborative groups under the UN for NEO detection and impact mitigation. UNOOSA IAWN
- Global Challenges for Planetary Defense Governance: Examines governance issues in addressing asteroid risks. SSRN
- Planetary Defense and International Law: Analyzes the legal implications of planetary defense activities. Springer Link
- National Preparedness Strategies for NEO Impacts: Reviews strategies for addressing asteroid threats at the national level. Planetary Defense
- Equity in Planetary Defense Policies: Explores fairness in allocating planetary defense resources globally. New Space Economy
Ethical Dimensions of Space Exploration and Defense: Addresses ethical concerns in planetary defense and space activities. Brill