2001: A Space Odyssey is now a thing of the past. The Space Odysseys of 2021 and the future, while still up in the air, are in the hands of the SpaceX Board of Directors. This committee will bring together officials from SpaceX, NASA, international space programs, and several NGOs to discuss and determine the logistics and optics of space travel. While the actions of SpaceX are decided and carried out by the body itself, the massive scale of space travel begs the question of whether the company should be able to make these decisions completely on their own. 

While the Board of Directors is responsible for SpaceX’s missions, the opinions and stock of other organizations, such as NASA and other international space agencies, will be central to the determination of how, when, where, why, and who should be allowed to venture into space. Delegates will answer questions about the legality of any and all space travel, the environmental precedent and impact of space travel on Earth’s environment, and serious legal questions surrounding individuals’ and groups’ jurisdiction over extraterrestrial planets. 

Each representative will provide a unique perspective on the imminent future of SpaceX and how matters should be handled on a national and international scale. With the potential for Mars colonization growing closer and closer, it is imperative that the committee make these decisions sooner rather than later. It is up to the delegates whether Mars settlements can become a reality for SpaceX, or if the planet will indefinitely remain a distant setting of science fiction.

The Dais is excited to meet all of the delegates at SSUNS 2021!

If you have any questions regarding the committee, please feel free to email us at sa@ssuns.org