Professor Dominique Lambert (UNamur) represented UNIVERSEH and took part in discussion around his participation to the publication: “Outer Space and Humanity at a Crossroads: A New Frontier of the Common Good”.
As the “space economy” is projected to reach 1.8 trillion by 2035 and thousands of new satellites populate our orbit, humanity stands at a decisive turning point. This new publication from the Caritas in Veritate Foundation brings together voices from the heights of scientific research and the depths of Catholic social teaching to ask a fundamental question: To whom does space belong?
This comprehensive volume argues that outer space must remain a res communis—a common good for all of humanity. It addresses the urgent need for updated international “Space Law” to prevent a new arms race, mitigate the crisis of space debris, and ensure that the benefits of space exploration are shared equitably among all nations, not just the technologically advanced.
Key Highlights:
- The Ethical Frontier: Reflections on space as a “common other space” that invites contemplation and humility.
- A Call for Peace: An analysis of International Humanitarian Law and the catastrophic risks of weaponizing the near-Earth environment.
- Science and Diplomacy: An editorial by Professor Fabiola Gianotti (Former Director-General of CERN) on how international scientific cooperation serves as a blueprint for global peace.
- Papal Legacy: A curated collection of statements from Pope Pius XII to Pope Leo XIV, tracing the Church’s fascination and engagement with space since the dawn of the Sputnik era.
(Caritas in Veritate Foundation)
Read more and download the publication: here.
