Space Economy and Sustainability

Catalog description

Are you ready to leave Earth and work in space within your lifetime? How can you help accelerate global socio-economic sustainable development through the adoption of space technologies? The space economy is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, and "made in space" may soon become a reality. How will the space economy shape our future economies and daily lives? What competencies will be needed to participate in the space economy and outer space affairs? With the rise of space technologies and emerging technologies such as generative AI and robotics - and the growing need to develop related skills - how do we understand "space for space" and "space for Earth" as the two main pillars for integrating frontier technologies? Students will meet external space experts, visit amazing locations and enrich their understanding of the impact of the space economy on our daily lives. The impact of climate change and how space can help mitigating and adapting to its consequences will be at the core of the group assignment. They will also explore how the democratization of space brings with it the need to maintain the safety, security, and sustainability of outer space activities, in order to ensure a commercially viable, sustainable, green, and safe space environment for the future of humanity. This course will be offered in January-Term 2026 in Abu Dhabi.