by When you make a purchase through links on our article, Future and its syndicate partners may earn a commission.
This article was originally published in The Conversation. The publication contributed the article to Space.com’s Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.
New Zealand’s space sector has been developing rapidly since the launch of the first rocket in 2017. It now brings in about NZ$1.7 billion in revenue, with plans to grow to $10 billion by 2030.
Last year, New Zealand hosted seven rocket launches, all by US-listed local company Rocket Lab. It was in response to Rocket Lab’s initial proposal for a launch site that New Zealand developed a regulatory system from scratch in less than two years to meet obligations under international law.
All launching nations must register everything they send into space and continue to supervise those objects to ensure that no damage or loss occurs to other nation’s objects or activities. They also have a responsibility to compensate for any harm.
In addition, countries must prevent the contamination of outer space and the Earth’s environment, and ensure that space activity does not interfere with other countries’ rights of free access and participation.
A 2020 review of New Zealand’s space legislation found that the regulatory system was largely fit for purpose. But it raised substantive concerns about the regulation of new technologies, including satellite constellations and minisatellites.
The recommendations prompted a wider consultation on New Zealand’s space policy and aerospace strategy. This led to a backlash against the lack of Māori voices on the particular concern of light pollution from space.
Commercialization of space
A 2019 report found that New Zealand’s space industry is driven almost entirely by commercial activity, characterized by a mix of start-ups and entrepreneur-funded companies.
The country’s space legislation is well suited for the rapid development of a space industry, especially the commercial and entrepreneurial sector.
However, awareness of the impact of light pollution on the Earth’s environment and ecosystem, human health and astronomy is growing.
While urbanization and the indiscriminate use of artificial light are among the culprits, activities in space are another significant source of light pollution.
As each satellite is placed into orbit, its reflective surface increases the ambient glow of the night sky. By 2021, there was a 10% increase in the brightness of the night sky as a result of human activity in outer space compared to lighting from natural sources.
Although the review of space law was more narrowly focused on satellite constellations and related light pollution, all satellites are part of a cumulative problem: individual countries, acting independently, contribute to worsening light pollution.
The dark skies of New Zealand
The big concern is that light pollution affects the interests of other countries that want to study outer space. Observational astronomy and junk data are being obscured by increased pollution with artificial glare and streaks of light.
The glow rising in the night sky is of particular concern to Māori and other Indigenous peoples whose knowledge systems depend on unaided visual access to the stars.
With 14 astronomical observatories and seven “dark sky sites” recognized by Dark-Sky International, New Zealand has a national interest in tackling the regulation and mitigation of light pollution.
The country’s biocultural heritage is protected under the obligations of the Treaty of Waitangi. It recognizes the unique relationship Māori have with the night sky and the mātauranga (knowledge) within it.
The rising of Matariki, the star cluster also known as the Pleiades, is being celebrated as a public holiday from 2022 in recognition of the event’s importance to Māori and the nation.
The regulation must address light pollution
As a launch state, New Zealand must give due consideration to the interests of other states to participate in the exploration of outer space, regardless of economic or scientific progress.
Although New Zealand is a relatively new sailing nation, it is a desirable destination. New Zealand’s approach to satellite licensing may help guide emerging binding practices in international law.
There is a tension between the national interest in preserving the dark skies and the economic value of the space industry. Being too prescriptive about licensing requirements will certainly discourage potential companies from shipping from New Zealand.
The flip side is that there is no market force driving innovation in this area without some requirement for companies to address how their satellites are contributing to light pollution.
Private commercial actors have made several attempts to mitigate the impact of their satellites. But these efforts are still largely underdeveloped. SpaceX’s efforts to reduce the impacts of its mega-constellations have proven to be ineffective.
The nature of the new space age, which launched a 2004 competition to help jump-start private space flight, ensures that private companies are more motivated to develop technology to reduce costs in the long run. Without a strong change in the regulatory environment, there is no real push for investment in technologies to mitigate light pollution.
As New Zealand continues to develop a regulatory framework, the issue of light pollution must be taken seriously. Indigenous voices are important because traditional astrological knowledge is fundamental to the reclamation and perpetuation of Indigenous knowledge.
