The Guardian view on owning the heavens: the perils of letting capitalism colonise the cosmos | Editorial
GuardianAPR 17
Axiom-4 Crew Returns After Historic ISS Mission
Above: Axiom-4 astronauts pose for a picture ahead of the mission in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 24, 2025. Image copyright: Giorgio Viera/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Right narrative
Private spaceflight is democratizing space access and allowing nations to bypass traditional government programs. Countries like India, Poland and Hungary can now book commercial flights to conduct their own research rather than waiting decades for national space agencies. This represents a fundamental shift toward a thriving commercial space economy.
Left narrative
The increasing privatization of space raises serious ethical concerns. The gradual push towards private space exploration is priming the pump for full private ownership of space, diverting untold wealth to the private hands of oligarchs. It must be ensured that private companies explore space for the common good, like the successful Axiom mission.