The Sociotechnical Imaginaries of Contemporary Commercial Space: Explicating Homo Galacticus, Techno-Utopianism, and Capitalistkind

Abstract

This research investigates the discursive underpinnings of sociotechnical imaginaries associated with transformations to commercial interplanetary space. By systematically reviewing a considerable corpus of literature, the paper explicates the ways by which three dominant imaginaries are envisioning futures of humans thriving off-Earth and, therefore, informing, animating, and legitimizing sociopolitical and technoscientific directions. Through investigating eight matters of concern and points of contention associated with three sociotechnical imaginaries, the paper reveals the beneficial possibilities as well as the deficiencies of contemporary commercial space imaginaries. The assumptions and primary triad of sovereignty, equitability, and instrumentality contentions embedded in these imaginaries have material consequences for extending humanity’s footprint to realms beyond the Moon. These ideas and fictions are leading society to collectively pursue some action arrangements while eschewing others. Published version available at https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.2023-2396.

Keywords: equitability, instrumentality, NASA, new space, outer space, sovereignty

JEL Classification: O00, P00, Z1, L1, L5