A growing conversation among academics is linking the colonization of space to “European Christian imperialism”. Wesleyan University professor Mary-Jane Rubenstein recently sparked debate by drawing parallels between historical imperialism and modern space exploration, raising fears that humanity's venture into the cosmos could repeat the “environmental and cultural devastations” of colonialism.
Rubenstein, a scholar of science and religion, argues that space exploration is imbued with the same motivations that fueled European colonial expansion. In her analysis, she suggests that humanity's rush to explore and exploit space for resources reflects the same “destiny and civilization” rhetoric used to justify imperial domination centuries ago.
Professor warns of ‘European Christian imperialism’ in outer space #ItsACult #CriticalTheory #Education #Universities #Indocrination https://t.co/04dkUz4aBS
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She points to the “exploitation of environmental resources and the destruction of landscapes,” warning that space may become the next target of unchecked “capitalist extraction”. Her comments aim to push back against those who view space as a limitless frontier devoid of ethical or environmental concerns.
Rubenstein’s concerns align with critiques of space initiatives driven by major players like SpaceX and NASA. Robert Zubrin, president of the Mars Society, dismisses these critiques, defending the mining of planetary bodies such as Mars, asteroids, and the Moon as necessary to sustain human civilization. He views these activities as essential for preventing global resource shortages, arguing that there’s no life to disturb in space, unlike the devastating colonial campaigns on Earth.
Professor warns of ‘European Christian imperialism’ in outer space | The College Fix https://t.co/5tKSa5x1VN
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However, Rubenstein’s argument expands beyond mere resource exploitation. She highlights how Indigenous worldviews about the sacredness of celestial bodies contrast sharply with modern space science. Certain Native Australian groups, the Inuit, and Navajo communities believe that celestial bodies are animate and connected to their ancestral spirits, urging a more respectful approach to space exploration. These spiritual perspectives, according to Rubenstein, are often dismissed by the industry’s technocratic worldview, further marginalizing non-Western cosmologies in the pursuit of interplanetary progress.
This conversation comes at a time when space exploration is rapidly evolving. Companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin have been ramping up missions, with Elon Musk’s vision of colonizing Mars drawing global attention. Musk has been vocal about the necessity of extracting Martian resources to establish a sustainable human presence, though his plans have met with skepticism from environmental and ethical quarters. Concerns over space ecology—how human activity affects extraterrestrial environments—are growing. Incidents like the 2023 SpaceX Starship explosion, which caused significant damage to ecosystems on Earth, raise questions about how responsible these companies would be in managing space resources.
The broader conversation also touches on the colonial mindset embedded in scientific exploration. Zubrin and others contend that hindering capitalist ventures in space would stifle human advancement. This belief mirrors the imperial justifications of old, which claimed that European civilization brought “progress” to the lands it colonized. Critics of this view argue that without robust international regulations, space may be subjected to the same exploitative forces that ravaged Earth’s natural and human resources.
The warnings about space imperialism are not limited to Rubenstein. Other scholars have echoed her sentiments, cautioning that unchecked space exploration could lead to political, economic, and environmental fallout similar to Earth’s history of colonialism. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, signed by major world powers, attempted to establish boundaries by declaring that no nation could claim ownership of celestial bodies. However, many now argue that the treaty is outdated and lacks the teeth needed to regulate the rapid commercialization of space.
