The Future of Space: A 2040 Vision

What’s next for humanity in the galaxy?

There is definitely a lot more than in Space beyond just satellites, rockets and billionaires. Let’s have a deep dive and mind-bending conversation to talk about the radical, inspiring, and sometimes uncomfortable questions that will shape our future in space.

This panel comes at a critical time: a new, potentially military space race is starting between superpowers, as powerful commercial interests are poised to both democratize and exploit the high frontier. But there is still room for thoughtful wonder and aspiration. 

Join us in conversation about what’s happening now in Space, what the next few years will bring, and how we can guide humanity’s next steps into the cosmos to reflect the best of what we are.

What we might discuss in this conversation:

Latest

• Hear the latest about Space from the experts.

New Frontiers & DIY Space

• The Lower Orbit Gold Rush: Who will be making a fortune in the orbit right above our heads? We’ll talk about the potential business booms and busts of the up-and-coming low-Earth orbit economy.
• The Rise of “DIY Space”: How are amateurs, small startups, and citizen scientists democratizing access to space? We’ll explore the wild world of hobby rockets, micro-satellites, and open-source space tech.
• The Great Filter: As we explore space, what is our responsibility to make that experience and its benefits available to more people? In our journey to the stars, can we deepen our appreciation for what we have on Earth and inspire a collective effort to protect it?

Politics & Governance in the Cosmos

• Upholding the Outer Space Treaty: The principles of the 1967 treaty remain a cornerstone of peaceful space exploration. However, new players and technological advances are creating unprecedented challenges. We’ll explore how these foundational laws of sovereignty can be respected and evolved to navigate the new political and commercial frontiers being drawn in space.
• The New Space Race: It’s no longer just about nations, but about who gets to go. We’ll discuss how technology could either democratize space or create a vast new divide between the haves and have-nots.

Humanity & Philosophy

• The Post-Human Body: Will we have to bio-engineer a new kind of human just to survive in space? Get ready for a conversation about genetic modification and what it means to be a “space human.”

The Psychology of the Cosmos: What happens to the human mind when you’re months away from Earth with no hope of a quick return? We’ll explore the real psychological challenges of deep space travel.