Blockchain in Outer Space

American Journal of International Law (AJIL) Unbound 2021

6 Pages Posted: 4 Mar 2022

See all articles by Primavera De Filippi

Primavera De Filippi

Université Paris II - Panthéon-Assas

Andrea Leiter

Amsterdam Center for International Law

Date Written: December 10, 2021

Abstract

Blockchain technology has spurred the emergence of powerful narratives to promote new ways of governing outer space. The list of proposed uses for blockchain applications in outer space is endless-from property registries for asteroid mining, to supply chain management systems, or interplanetary cryptocurrencies for the space economy-along with Elon Musk claiming that "SpaceX is going to put a literal Dogecoin on the literal moon." 1 Yet, thus far, none of these projects have gone beyond simple declarations or white papers, mostly due to the inherent limitations on the effective enforcement of blockchain-based rules outside of their own technical framework. In this essay, we argue that blockchain technology is relevant for outer space because it fosters novel narratives 2 advancing possible futures characterized by new modes of governance. The strongest and most prominent of these narratives is the crypto-libertarian one, which draws heavily on the absence of a state, the sanctity of property, and the primacy of private ordering through decentralized markets. But there are other narratives proposed by relevant actors in the blockchain space that are dedicated to other modes of governance. 3 By focusing on alternative narratives for blockchain technology, we illustrate how the possible applications of blockchain technology in outer space may extend beyond the current libertarian dreams, to support a more commons-based approach to outer space governance.

Keywords: blockchain, outer space, governance

Suggested Citation

De Filippi, Primavera and Leiter, Andrea, Blockchain in Outer Space (December 10, 2021). American Journal of International Law (AJIL) Unbound 2021, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4001703 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4001703

Primavera De Filippi (Contact Author)

Université Paris II - Panthéon-Assas ( email )

12 place du Pantheon
Paris cedex 06, 75231
France

Andrea Leiter

Amsterdam Center for International Law ( email )

P.O. Box 1030
Amsterdam, 1000 BA
Netherlands

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