The ecosystem ascendant: Unpacking the shift from national programs to space ecosystems

The beginning of the space age was marked by competition between nations to achieve remarkable technological accomplishments in space exploration through their respective space programs. However, as space activity has become more commercialized in recent years, the term 'space ecosystem' has emerged as a popular buzzword in space-related discussions. This has led many countries to restructure their national space strategies, shifting their focus from advancing their own individual space programs to developing a broader ecosystem with the overall objective of space exploitation. In this article, I aim to delve into the origins of the ‘space ecosystem’ concept and explore its significance in global space activities, asking why, when, and how it found its way into global space politics. Using a multi-disciplinary perspective, bringing together scholarship from environmental and ecology studies, business management, and international relations, I examine the evolution of the concept of an ecosystem in space activity. I argue that ‘ecosystems’ became increasingly meaningful in the trajectory of space activity from exploration to exploitation due to fluctuations between the government and private sectors, gradually shifting perceptions regarding commercial space activity and shaping policies related to the dual-use nature of space technology at both national and international levels. This has expanded the discourse from national programs to larger and more comprehensive ecosystems, transforming the sociotechnical structure of space activity from a state-centric to a multifaceted ecosystem structure.