Imagining Space Governance Through Storytelling
As governments and companies expand activity in orbit, the narratives societies use to describe space are influencing policy choices as much as technological capability. Fiction, ethical debates, and futuristic thinking now play a growing role in shaping public expectations and exposing assumptions that could determine how the next era of space governance unfolds. Imagining the Orbit: Fictional Futures and the Realities of Space Governance panel discussion on December 1, 2025, underscored that imagination is not an accessory to policy but a driver of it—especially as decision-makers confront rapid commercial growth, dual-use technologies, and rising geopolitical tension in space.
Here are the Top Takeaways from the Program:
1. The Metaphors Applied to Apace are Already Shaping Governance
The terms commonly used to describe space—frontier, territory, desert, and commons—carry strategic implications. Frontier language encourages extractive behavior and a presumption of boundless resources, a pattern that has contributed to preventable environmental harms on Earth. When that framing is applied to orbit, it can weaken support for regulatory oversight and debris mitigation by portraying space as effectively empty. A more accurate view recognizes that orbital regions are finite, increasingly crowded, and central to global infrastructure. As Che Bolden emphasizes, “There are two things that have to be resonant before anything else can happen. One is you have to speak the same language… and the second one is you have to be operating from the same expectation of what you're trying to do.” Adjusting the language now can help prevent policy frameworks from being built on outdated or misleading assumptions.
2. Storytelling Helps the Public Understand Why Space Governance Matters
Space policy often relies on specialized terminology that obscures the stakes for everyday life. Narrative—through storytelling, humor, or relatable analogies—translates complex issues into terms the public can understand. As Dr. Kelly Weinersmith notes, “My purpose… is to communicate complicated nuanced ideas in ways that are fun. Framing space activities in terms people encounter every day—wehter that's storytelling and humor or supply chains and medical innovation—narrative helps build understanding, support, and accountability in a rapidly evolving sector.
3. Imagined Futures Allow Policymakers to Test Scenarios Before They Become Real
Speculative narratives serve as low-risk environments for examining how governance challenges might emerge. Scenarios involving isolated settlements, company-town dynamics, or resource extraction raise questions about labor conditions, environmental management, and rights protections that can inform present-day policymaking. Dr. Erika Nesvold explains the value of such thought experiments: “Americans are much more likely to think about how they would build a non-partial society, a nonpartial criminal justice system from scratch… just imagining it in space… helps people reach that level.” Using foresight tools grounded in narrative helps identify gaps in today’s regulatory frameworks, from safety protocols to liability structures. As Ray Nayler adds, “I think what's interesting about storytelling is you can focus on these little tiny parts of a question to kind of illuminate the whole,” providing insight into norms that are resilient to rapid innovation and geopolitical shifts.
4. A Wider Range of Perspectives Is Needed to Shape Credible Norms
Much of the language and vision surrounding space originates from a narrow set of cultural and professional backgrounds. This can limit the range of futures that policymakers consider and overlook how space decisions affect different societies. An expanded narrative helps surface ethical and operational blind spots early and strengthens international buy-in by ensuring norms reflect a wider set of experiences. Integrating perspectives from outside the traditional aerospace community, and embracing frameworks like Open Diplomacy, is therefore a strategic requirement. As Che Bolden observes, “Space is not a destination anymore as much as it is a gateway. It's a way for us to create new value both on the business side down here on Earth, but also in deep space when you start talking about how do we expand the human condition out into the stars.”
5. Alliances Are Becoming the Backbone of Technological Power
Cooperation with allies, particularly Japan, South Korea, and the UK, is reshaping supply chains and providing insulation against geopolitical shocks. The recent U.S.–Japan alignment on chips and shared industrial financing was cited as a model that binds both nations not only commercially but strategically. When financial interests are intertwined, the ability of adversaries to peel partners away with alternative offers is dramatically reduced. In an era defined by AI and critical technologies, alliances are becoming economic architecture.
Project summary
| Imagining Space Governance Through Storytelling | December 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Impact Areas: | Science and Technology |
| Program Areas: | Technology, Innovation, & Space |
