Accessibility to Space Infrastructures and Outer Space: Anthropological Insights from Europe’s Spaceport

Abstract

With the growing influence of the realm of outer space, there is an increasing need to engage in discussions regarding potential governance structures to address ethical, legal, and political questions that arise. Among the considerations is the concept of outer space as global commons, although no consensus has been reached on an international level regarding its implementation. This paper offers a novel perspective by examining the intricate relationship between Earth-based space infrastructures and how their governance can potentially hinder the realization of utopian visions of space exploration for the benefit of all humanity. Through an ethnographic exploration of Europe's Spaceport, this research brings to the forefront the complex interplay of Earthly politics, colonial legacies, and space governance. It challenges the assumption that outer space can be treated in isolation from Earth space and, instead, highlights the different temporal and spatial scales on which Earthly implications resonate throughout the exploration of outer space.