The Case for a Unified UN Space Agency: Unlocking the Next Era of Exploration

The history of space exploration, from the Cold War space race to the current era of commercialization, has been characterized by national competition and fragmented efforts. While great achievements have been secured by agencies like NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos, this decentralized model is increasingly inefficient and ill-equipped to meet the challenges of humanity’s future in space. The existing United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) performs vital work in regulation and data sharing, but it is fundamentally an administrative body, lacking executive power and independent funding. To accelerate exploration, manage shared risks, and ensure space benefits all of humanity, the United Nations must establish a dedicated, fully-empowered United Nations Space Agency (UNSA), autonomously funded through a global mechanism, such as a modest, imposed income tax.