The Ethical Use of Outer Space - Ethical Engineering for International Development and Environmental Sustainability - page 132

approach as we could hope for at the moment. However, most of the world is prob-
ably not even aware that there are problems with the use of outer space.
There are active NGO groups such as the Global Network Against Weapons and
Nuclear Power in Space, Pugwash, the International Network of Engineers and
Scientists for Global Responsibility (INES) and the Women's International League
for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) who are actively campaigning to draw attention to
the problems and prevent the further militarisation and weaponisation of space.
Each year in October, the global space community celebrates a UN-Declared World
Space Week; events are held around the world to promote space and inspire stu-
dents. At the same time, peace activists and campaigners call for a 'Keep Space for
Peace Week' and use the same week to highlight the need to demilitarise the think-
ing about outer space. Conferences, public meetings and protest actions at military
bases or manufacturers associated with the militarisation of space are organised as
awareness-raising activities.
I believe that it is extremely important that NGOs, grass roots organisations and
campaigning groups take up this issue. It will only be through worldwide pressure,
being energised from a global protest, that the US stranglehold on further meaning-
ful progress can be made. Often governments only take notice after a major avoid-
able calamity has taken place (such as Chernobyl or Fukushima), but those
campaigning to keep space for peace for nuclear disarmament or robotic arms con-
trol are doing so in order to prevent such disasters. At one particular 1999 NGO
event, the ethical use of space was the topic of a conference entitled Space Use and
Ethics. Criteria for the Assessment of Future Space , held at the Darmstadt University
of Technology (TUD) in Germany (INESAP 1999 ). The conference declared that, in
the twenty-fi rst century, space technology should contribute to solving confl icts and
problems on Earth in a sustainable way. In order to assess the use of space technol-
ogy and to ensure its societal acceptance, costs and resources, goals and benefi ts and
also undesired consequences and risks, Jürgen Scheffran from INESAP (the
International Network of Engineers and Scientists Against Proliferation, a subgroup
of INES established to study the problems associated with technical aspects of
nuclear and military proliferation issues) suggested eight concrete criteria for the
assessment of future space projects which can also be applied to other fi elds of
technology:

• Exclude the possibility of a severe catastrophe that could result in wide spread
death and/or destruction.

• Minimise adverse effects on health and environment.

• Assure scientifi c-technical quality, functionality and reliability.

• Solve problems and satisfy needs in a sustainable and timely manner.

• Seek alternatives with best cost-benefi t effectiveness.

• Guarantee social compatibility and strengthen cooperation.

• Justify projects in a public debate involving those concerned.

These seem very reasonable, even necessary, conditions for an ethical space pol-
icy, but it seems that little progress can be made until international relations on
Earth improve. Some will undoubtedly argue that a democratically elected govern-