Reclaiming Space: A Vision for an Inclusive Future

When we talk about space, the conversation is often dominated by militaristic agendas, billionaires chasing personal legacies, or grandiose narratives about "colonizing Mars." These narratives misrepresent the profound opportunities space offers and perpetuate ideologies we should be moving away from. As someone who has worked across Tesla, SpaceX, and Google, and is now building my own space company, Satlyt, I want to share why space should be for everyone, not just the playground of a privileged few.

Space Is Not Just About Defense

For too long, the space industry has been tethered to defense and military agendas. While security has its place, space is so much more than a platform for geopolitical posturing or surveillance networks. It is a canvas for human ingenuity, a stage for scientific discovery, and a domain where technologies can be built to benefit humanity. From improving GPS to advancing renewable energy through space-based solar panels, the applications of space technology are vast and directly impactful to life on Earth.

Reducing space to a theater for military competition blinds us to its broader potential. We need to break free from the narrow lens of "dominance" and start exploring space as a collaborative, inclusive domain that serves all of humanity, with the International Space Station being a guiding light of the collaboration and inclusiveness space is capable of.

Language Shapes Our Vision

The language we use matters. When I hear phrases like "colonizing Mars," I’m struck by how deeply rooted these words are in colonialism and its history of exploitation and oppression. I remember seeing countless engineers at SpaceX with “Colonize Mars” t-shirts - the fact that no one thinks there’s a problem there, is the problem. These terms reflect a mindset that sees new frontiers as places to be conquered rather than communities or ecosystems to be nurtured. If we’re serious about learning from history, we need to think carefully about the words we use and the ideologies they carry. Space exploration should be about building a future, not repeating the mistakes of the past. Sooner or later, the line between bigotry and the zeitgeist will be very difficult to tell apart(heid).

Billionaires Are Not the Gatekeepers of Space

One name that inevitably comes up in space conversations is Elon Musk. While he has undeniably accelerated the commercialization of space, let’s not pretend he’s some benevolent visionary. His companies have benefitted from government subsidies at every turn more than pretty much anyone else, yet he postures as though he succeeded in a vacuum. My one personal interaction with him included a lie that I can’t disclose, an experience that shaped how I view his bluster. I view Elon the same way Kendrick views Drake: not every loud voice deserves your reverence, and not everyone is like us. Musk's success is not a blueprint for the rest of us, and space must not become a gated community controlled by billionaires pulling up the ladder behind them.

If you’re a space investor or operator willing to turn a blind eye to bigotry or partner with those complicit in atrocities just to boost your bottom line, we will not see eye to eye. I’ve turned down investment from firms affiliated with nefarious defense forces for precisely this reason. If you can’t stand for justice and equity on Earth, you have no business advocating for progress in space.

The Good News: Space Is Getting Cheaper and More Accessible

Despite its challenges, this is an exciting time for the space industry. The cost of accessing space is falling rapidly. Satellites are getting cheaper to build, and launch costs are no longer the insurmountable barriers they once were. This democratization of space access opens doors for innovators and entrepreneurs around the world, not just billionaires or governments. The powers that have historically controlled space won’t hold that control forever.

What excites me most is the sheer variety of space applications that directly benefit people on Earth. GPS, weather forecasting, and renewable energy technologies are just the tip of the iceberg. We have the opportunity to use space to address global challenges like climate change, disaster response, and connectivity for underserved communities.

Space Is Open For Everyone

Space is open for business, not just for the privileged few but for everyone, and this is something I’ve always loved about how NASA operates. Whether you’re a scientist, an engineer, a student, or a dreamer, there’s a place for you in this ecosystem. The narrative that space is only for billionaires with rockets or nations with massive defense budgets is false. If you have an idea, a vision, or a solution, this is your time. Let’s build systems and businesses that reflect the best of humanity, not the worst.

At Satlyt, we’re working to make space computing accessible to all. By building interoperable software that connects satellites into a virtual cloud, we’re enabling satellite operators to monetize their compute capacity. This reduces latency, improves efficiency, and lowers carbon emissions, all without the need to own satellites. If you’re interested in building an inclusive, sustainable space economy, let’s talk.

But if you’ve pledged your loyalty to the self-proclaimed demigod Elon Musk, I wish you luck. You’re going to need it.

Final Thoughts

Space doesn’t have to be about dominance, division, or exclusion. It can be a place of collaboration, innovation, and shared progress. Let’s rethink our narratives, learn from our mistakes, and ensure that the next great frontier is open to everyone. If you’re ready to build a better space industry, I’m ready to work with you. The future is ours to shape together.

— Rama Afullo
Founder and CEO, Satlyt