Space: 2075

Far above our planet’s surface, a technological revolution has been taking place. Thousands of satellites now orbit the Earth. These satellites provide essential services such as navigation, climate forecasting and internet, underpinning 18% of UK GDP.

This is a rapidly evolving industry that has shifted from being dominated by publicly funded space agencies to a burgeoning and innovative commercial sector. The falling cost of launching spacecraft, combined with miniaturisation of satellites, is opening new opportunities for how space can be used. This is changing the balance of space power as more and more countries and companies look to explore this domain. 

It also brings challenges. The space around our planet is becoming crowded and the threat posed by space junk and debris is ever growing. The prospect of exploring new worlds, asteroids and comets, that could be exploited for resources, raises questions about how space should be governed and protected. 

The Royal Society’s Space: 2075 report will explore how activities and the technologies used in space will develop over the next half century. It will examine what steps can be taken to ensure space is used safely and sustainably for the benefit of all humanity. This will only become more vital to understand as humans begin to explore ever further from our own planet.

Watch the BBC's The Sky At Night as Maggie Aderin-Pocock sits down with Professor Suzie Imber, planetary scientist and co-chair of the Space: 2075 report.