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Ethics and the Commercialization of Outer Space by Sandra Schuh, Ph.D. Core Values Citzenship: Helping to create a society based upon democratic values; e.g., rule of law, equality of opportunity, due process, reasoned argument, representative government, checks and balances, rights and responsibilities, and democratic decision-making. Citizenship becomes even more global in outer space because individual nations must work together. Cooperation: Working together toward goals as basic as human survival in an increasingly interdependent world. There will be no successful exploration of outer space, much less any successful commercial ventures, without cooperation between individual nations and peoples. Fairness: Treating people impartially, not playing favorites, being open-minded, and maintaining an objective attitude toward those whose actions and ideas are different from our own. Will the nations who could afford to send up hardware into space share the profits of space technology with the poorer nations? Honesty: Dealing truthfully with people, being sincere, not deceiving them nor stealing from them, not cheating nor lying. Will corporations and/or nations be honest in reporting and sharing the profits from space ventures? Integrity: Standing up for your beliefs about what is right and what is wrong and resisting social pressure to do wrong. Leaders of corporations and nations must stand up for the rights of all nations and peoples to benefit from outer-space technology. Respect: Showing regard for the worth and dignity of someone or something, being courteous and polite, and judging all people on their merits. It takes three major forms: respect for oneself, respect for other people, and respect for all forms of life and the environment. Corporations and nations must show respect for themselves and others as they venture into outer space. We must also show respect for all forms of life encountered in outer space as well as the environment itself. Responsibility: Thinking before you act and being accountable for your actions, paying attention to others, and responding to their needs. Responsibility emphasizes our positive obligations to care for each other. All businesses and nations have ethical and social responsibilities, even when operating in outer space.

Ethics and the Commercialization of Outer Space

by Sandra Schuh, Ph.D.

Core Values

Citzenship: Helping to create a society based upon democratic values; e.g., rule of law, equality of opportunity, due process, reasoned argument, representative government, checks and balances, rights and responsibilities, and democratic decision-making. Citizenship becomes even more global in outer space because individual nations must work together.

Cooperation: Working together toward goals as basic as human survival in an increasingly interdependent world. There will be no successful exploration of outer space, much less any successful commercial ventures, without cooperation between individual nations and peoples.

Fairness: Treating people impartially, not playing favorites, being open-minded, and maintaining an objective attitude toward those whose actions and ideas are different from our own. Will the nations who could afford to send up hardware into space share the profits of space technology with the poorer nations?

Honesty: Dealing truthfully with people, being sincere, not deceiving them nor stealing from them, not cheating nor lying. Will corporations and/or nations be honest in reporting and sharing the profits from space ventures?

Integrity: Standing up for your beliefs about what is right and what is wrong and resisting social pressure to do wrong. Leaders of corporations and nations must stand up for the rights of all nations and peoples to benefit from outer-space technology.

Respect: Showing regard for the worth and dignity of someone or something, being courteous and polite, and judging all people on their merits. It takes three major forms: respect for oneself, respect for other people, and respect for all forms of life and the environment. Corporations and nations must show respect for themselves and others as they venture into outer space. We must also show respect for all forms of life encountered in outer space as well as the environment itself.

Responsibility: Thinking before you act and being accountable for your actions, paying attention to others, and responding to their needs. Responsibility emphasizes our positive obligations to care for each other. All businesses and nations have ethical and social responsibilities, even when operating in outer space.