Outerspace

Our reliance on space tech means we should prepare for the worst

The first successful launch by SpaceX of its new Falcon Heavy rocket, the most powerful rocket in operation today, offered a tantalizing glimpse into the future of space — one done with a touch of typical flair from SpaceX’s billionaire owner Elon Musk, who sent his old red Tesla sports car into orbit as the rocket’s first payload. More impressive still, from a technical perspective, is that two of the Falcon Heavy’s boosters simultaneously landed back at Cape Canaveral, ready for refurbishment and reuse.


However, this breakthrough raises a number of questions about how prepared global society is to deal with the growing reliance on space-enabled connectivity, technology and services. These support a diverse array of political, military and economic activities — many of which modern life on Earth relies upon and which the public often takes for granted. Governments, militaries and commercial organizations could take steps now to better understand and mitigate the risks associated with digital society’s increasing reliance on space.


Space is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global economy, worth $329 billion in 2016 and estimated to double to around $640 billion by 2030. While SpaceX and other companies are looking to create and exploit new markets through the application of novel technologies, such as space manufacturing, mining or tourism, Earthbound societies remain increasingly reliant on a host of more mature space services and technologies for basic functions.