Siok Tan
When the words "youth and sustainability" are uttered, the image that often springs to mind is that of impassioned young climate activists leading demonstrations, their voices raised in urgent protest against environmental degradation. However, this narrow view fails to capture the full spectrum of youth engagement in sustainability issues, particularly in the realm of space exploration and utilisation.
The reality is far more nuanced and expansive. Youth's dedication to sustainability extends well beyond the realm of public demonstrations, encompassing a vital role in policy dialogue, advocacy, and the development of technical solutions across various industries. This multifaceted involvement is especially crucial in the context of space sustainability, an area where the long-term, intergenerational nature of the challenges demands fresh perspectives and innovative approaches.
The space sector, with its highly technical requirements and far-reaching implications, presents a unique opportunity for meaningful youth engagement. As we look to the future of space exploration and utilisation, it becomes increasingly clear that the passion and expertise of young professionals are not just beneficial; it is essential. Space sustainability offers a compelling avenue for engaging youth in the broader space sector, allowing them to contribute to policy formation, technological advancements, and the development of sustainable practices that will shape the future of humanity's presence in space.
In this article, we will explore the critical importance of youth involvement in space sustainability, highlighting the innovative ways in which young professionals are already making significant contributions to this vital field, and ways forward in terms of accelerating skills building.
Why Youth Engagement in Space Sustainability Matters
Engaging young minds in the discussion and development of space sustainability solutions is paramount for several reasons:
Innovation and Fresh Ideas: Young people often bring novel approaches to problem-solving, unencumbered by traditional industry constraints. Their ability to think outside the box can lead to groundbreaking solutions for space debris removal, sustainable satellite design, and space traffic management.
Technological Proficiency: The younger generation’s innate understanding of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, can be leveraged to create advanced systems for space sustainability monitoring and enforcement.
Global Connectivity: Youth are adept at utilising social media and digital platforms, enabling them to raise awareness and foster international collaboration on space sustainability issues more effectively than ever before.
Intergenerational Responsibility: The concept of intergenerational equity is particularly relevant in the context of space sustainability. Today’s decisions and actions will have far-reaching consequences for future space exploration and utilisation. Youth involvement now can help ensure that long-term perspectives are considered in policy development; foster a sense of responsibility and ownership among younger generations; and create a continuity of knowledge and expertise in the field of space sustainability.
Addressing Industry Skill Gaps: Perhaps most critically, is the need to nurture future generations with the technical skills and expertise required for careers in the space sector. Recent surveys have indicated that industries are facing significant challenges in recruiting new talent, given the high degree of specialisation required. By engaging youth in space sustainability initiatives, we can inspire and prepare the next generation of space professionals, ensuring a robust workforce capable of addressing the complex challenges of sustainable space exploration and utilisation.
Impact of Youth Space Sustainability Initiatives: Shaping the Future of Space Youth-led space sustainability initiatives are emerging as powerful catalysts for change, extending their reach beyond traditional space enthusiasts. By making space issues more relatable, these initiatives are successfully attracting a diverse range of youth passionate about various terrestrial concerns, effectively bridging the gap between Earth-based sustainability efforts and the broader implications of space exploration and utilisation. Key areas of impact are summarised below:
Policy Influence and Advocacy
Youth initiatives are making significant strides in shaping space policy and advocacy:
United Nations Engagement: The Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) actively participates in UN COPUOS sessions, offering fresh perspectives on space sustainability. This direct involvement allows youth to contribute to high-level policy discussions.
Focused Policy Contributions: SGAC’s Project Groups concentrate on specific areas such as space debris mitigation, sustainable lunar exploration, space ethics, and law. These focused efforts contribute valuable insights to policy development.
Industry-Youth Collaboration: The Secure World Foundation (SWF) facilitates platforms like the Summit for Space Sustainability, where young professionals present their research alongside industry experts. This collaboration enhances the depth and relevance of policy recommendations.
Legal Framework Engagement: The International Institute of Space Law (IISL) organises annual moot court competitions that simulate real-world legal disputes in space law. These competitions challenge participants to address pressing legal issues, including space sustainability, liability for space debris, and the equitable use of space resources, fostering critical thinking and advocacy skills crucial for shaping future space policies.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Youth initiatives are fostering innovation and entrepreneurial thinking in space sustainability:
Competitions: Events like SGx2025’s“Shark Tank”-style pitch competition and Viasat’s Space for Good Challenge encourage youth to develop and present innovative space sustainability solutions. These competitions not only generate new ideas but also highlight the potential benefits that youth-led solutions bring to investors and industry partners.
Technology Development: Programmes like MIT Media Lab’s Zero-Gravity Flights allow students to test sustainable space technologies in microgravity environments. This hands-on experience promotes innovative thinking and practical problem-solving skills.
Sustainability Rating Systems: The Space Sustainability Rating project, involving educational institutions and industry partners, develops rating systems for sustainable satellite design and operations. This initiative provides students with real-world experience while contributing to industry standards.
Astropreneurship Training: The Orion Astropreneur Space Academy (OASA) offers comprehensive training programmes that blend space technology knowledge with entrepreneurial skills. OASA’s curriculum focuses on sustainable space utilisation, encouraging participants to develop innovative business models that address space sustainability challenges while creating economic opportunities.
Global Awareness and Education
Youth initiatives play a crucial role in raising global awareness about space sustainability:
Global Events: SGAC organises the annual Space Generation Congress and regional events, bringing together students and young professionals to discuss current and future space sector challenges. These events foster global understanding and collaboration.
Public Outreach: World Space Week, coordinated by UNOOSA, inspires youth about space exploration and its sustainable future through global event series. This widespread engagement increases public awareness and support for space sustainability efforts.
Creative Expression: Art competitions, such as those included in SGx events, encourage the creative expression of space sustainability concepts. This approach helps to communicate complex ideas to a broader audience.
Regional Focus: The African Space Leadership Programme (ASLP), led by the African Union, is an ambitious initiative to inspire and empower youth across the continent to actively participate in space science, technology, and sustainability efforts. Through leadership training, technical workshops, and collaboration with regional space agencies, the programme equips young professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to address Africa-specific challenges in the space sector.
Professional Development and Networking
Youth initiatives are instrumental in developing the next generation of space sustainability leaders:
Mentorship Programmes: Initiatives such as UNOOSA’s Space4Women Mentorship programme, the International Astronautical Federation’s (IAF) Young Professionals Program (YPP), and Viasat’s collaboration with Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) provide youth with the opportunity to connect with experienced leaders, and gain valuable insights and guidance for their careers in space sustainability and related fields.
Research Opportunities: SWF’s Space Sustainability Research Fellowships support early-career researchers in investigating fundamental concepts in space sustainability. This support nurtures expertise and contributes to the field’s knowledge base.
Comprehensive Learning Platforms: SGAC’s Education and Professional Development Platform offers a suite of resources, webinars, and networking opportunities. This comprehensive approach equips young space professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary for addressing critical space sustainability challenges.
The impact of youth space sustainability initiatives extends far beyond individual events or programmes. By engaging in policy advocacy, fostering innovation, raising global awareness, and developing professional skills, these initiatives are shaping the future of space exploration and utilisation. The diverse and dynamic approaches employed by these programmes ensure that the next generation of space leaders is well-equipped to address the complex challenges of space sustainability, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and responsible use of space for the benefit of all humanity.
Bridging the Skills Gap in Space Sustainability Through Industry Partnerships
Whilst a range of activities exists to engage youth in space sustainability, it is imperative to maintain low barriers to participation, particularly for young individuals from developing countries who may face additional challenges. Despite the evident benefits of youth involvement, several factors impede their participation in space sustainability efforts:
Educational Disparities: Unequal access to STEM education limits participation in space sustainability solutions.
Limited Representation: Young voices, especially from developing nations, are often underrepresented in policy discussions.
Resource Constraints: Many young professionals struggle to secure funding for international events and research initiatives.
Perception Barriers: The misconception that space sustainability is a niche field discourages youth from pursuing related careers.
Industry players have a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by supplementing existing activities and creating new opportunities for youth engagement. Whilst some industry entities may hesitate to invest due to perceived limitations in students' understanding of complex issues, numerous success stories (as highlighted in previous sections) demonstrate the value of such collaborations. There is thus still plenty of room for private sector participation, such as:
Partnering with educational institutions to develop targeted curricula and provide resources for STEM education in underserved areas. This could include online courses, virtual labs, and mentorship programmes focused on space sustainability.
Sponsoring youth delegates from developing nations to participate in international space policy forums, ensuring diverse perspectives are heard and considered.
Establishing dedicated scholarship funds and grants for young professionals interested in space sustainability can help overcome financial barriers to participation in research and international events.
Showcasing the diverse career opportunities in space sustainability through targeted outreach programmes and internships to help dispel misconceptions about the field's scope and relevance.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities, it is crucial to equip the next generation with relevant skills and understanding. The private sector can also do their part by promoting and supporting some fields essential to space sustainability:
Material Science and Sustainable Manufacturing: Companies can fund research projects and offer internships focused on developing eco-friendly materials and processes for spacecraft construction. This support can drive innovations in durable and recyclable spacecraft components, addressing the critical issue of space debris proliferation.
Orbital Mechanics: Private sector entities can sponsor competitions and hackathons centred on orbital dynamics challenges, encouraging young professionals to develop novel solutions for space traffic management and debris mitigation strategies.
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence: Tech companies can provide access to advanced computing resources and datasets, enabling young researchers to apply AI and data science techniques to space sustainability challenges. This could include projects on improving debris tracking algorithms or enhancing autonomous satellite operations.
By fostering public-private collaborations and focusing on these critical skill areas, we can create a robust foundation for sustainable space activities. Industry involvement not only provides essential resources and expertise but also offers young professionals invaluable real-world experience. This symbiotic relationship ensures a continuous influx of fresh ideas and innovative solutions, driving the space sector towards a more sustainable future.
Conclusion
International youth initiatives play a pivotal role in shaping the future of space sustainability. These programmes not only foster innovation and fresh perspectives but also address critical skill gaps in the industry. By engaging young minds in policy advocacy, technological development, and cross-sector collaboration, we are investing in a sustainable future for space exploration and utilisation.
The multifaceted approach of these initiatives, encompassing diverse topics and innovative engagement formats, ensures a holistic understanding of space sustainability challenges. It is imperative that satellite manufacturers, operators, and organisations across the space sector actively implement and support youth-focused programmes. As a result, they potentially contribute to the development of a skilled workforce and drive the creation of sustainable solutions for the complex challenges we face in space.
Government and education sector stakeholders, particularly in emerging markets and developing countries, need to take a proactive role in promoting youth engagement in space sustainability initiatives. By leveraging organisations such as SGAC, UNOOSA, and SWF, governments can create pathways for their young citizens to actively participate in and contribute to sustainable practices within the space sector. This engagement not only fosters local talent and innovation but also ensures that diverse perspectives are represented in global space sustainability efforts.
The future of space exploration depends on our collective commitment to nurturing the next generation of space leaders, ensuring that our journey beyond Earth remains sustainable, responsible, and beneficial for all of humanity.
Dr. Siok Tan heads Spectrum Affairs in Welchman Keen’s Market Access & Regulatory Affairs Practice. With extensive experience in telecommunications policy, Dr. Tan specialises in navigating complex spectrum management challenges across global markets.
Disclaimer: This article is only intended for general reading/informational purposes. Under no circumstances is it to be relied upon in substitution for specific advice on any issue(s) that may arise relating to its subject matter.