From Cosmology to Space Technologies: Environmental and Ethical Issues Regarding Space Exploitation

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From mythological cosmogonies to technological astrophysics, and from geocentrism to heliocentrism, the aim of cosmology is to understand the universe’s origin, structure, evolution, and destiny. This article proceeds from the hypothesis that space technologies—stemming from advancements in astronomy and astrophysics—have ambivalent effects on the environment. The central question is whether the tools and technologies associated with space exploration exacerbate the environmental crisis or offer a means to resolve it. The analysis employs a diachronic and quantitative approach combined with critical inquiry to trace the evolution of cosmological concepts over time, examine space-utilization technologies, and evaluate their environmental, ethical, and political implications. The findings indicate that, on the one hand, these technologies are assets for understanding and predicting environmental phenomena. On the other hand, through atmospheric and stratospheric pollution and the overexploitation of space, space technologies are detrimental to the environment. With the intensification of astrophysical and astronautical activities, space is becoming a geostrategic hub, a site for corporate conglomerates, and a zone for postmodern tourism. While the environmental benefits and risks of space activities are well known, the drive for power, profitability, and utilitarianism has overshadowed environmental concerns; consequently, the political, scientific, and ethical responses fall short of the urgency of the environmental crisis. Yet, the time to act is now.