Astronaut Tim Peake recently attended a House of Lords committee session focused on outer space issues, where discussions revolved around the governance of space by the United Nations and the potential application of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) protocols to space activities. The event, chaired by Labour’s Lady Ashton, began with a lighthearted countdown, but the room itself was far removed from the futuristic settings often associated with space exploration, being lined with Victorian oil paintings and populated by a small group of peers.
Major Peake, now 53, appeared in a traditional two-piece suit and black brogues, deviating from the expected space helmet and Moon boots. He engaged with the peers in conversation about the effects of spending time in space. Responding to a query from Lord St John of Bletso, a Crossbencher, the astronaut detailed how a stint on the International Space Station can induce rapid physical ageing due to muscle atrophy, changes in eyesight, and skin ageing. Peake, who completed a six-month mission aboard the ISS, also noted how transformative space research could be for life on Earth.
Among the potential benefits he mentioned was the possibility of using space to store data, leveraging unlimited solar power—a stark contrast to the energy-intensive facilities on Earth. He highlighted how metal alloys produced in zero gravity can be more elastic, and that protein crystal growth experiments could reduce the dosage required for certain medications. Furthermore, Peake discussed the advanced state of science enabling the printing of replacement human organs, signifying a new frontier in healthcare technologies.
The session participants included notable figures such as Lady Bonham-Carter from the Liberal Democrats, who appeared lively and attentive, often taking notes with a green biro while occasionally interjecting. Her spectacles, humorously described as smudged, became a minor talking point during the proceedings.
On governance, Lady Bonham-Carter raised the role of the United Nations, a topic Major Peake supported, emphasising the need for an “operating framework” as space real estate becomes increasingly valuable. He specifically pointed to the lunar poles, where ice deposits could make these areas as prized as Mayfair on Earth in terms of property value. The Major also expressed openness to the idea of ESG frameworks applying to space travel, an intriguing prospect given the unique challenges and environments beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
The event took a more informal turn when Lord Shamash, a Labour peer, attempted to say ‘Brexit’ but amusingly ended up saying ‘breakfast’. Major Peake also mentioned John McFall, a top trainee astronaut who could become the first para-astronaut. Interestingly, this is also the name of the current Lord Speaker, who at 80 years old might face physical challenges akin to climbing steps on a launch pad.
The session concluded with a moment of levity as Lord St John of Bletso offered Lady Bonham-Carter a glass of water, which she declined – the suggestion being she was more inclined towards “rocket fuel” than simple hydration.
This gathering in the House of Lords provided a rare intersection of space science and traditional governance, with Major Peake offering insights into the realities of space travel and the complexities of regulating the rapidly evolving frontier.
Source: Noah Wire Services