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Welcome back to the future of space.

Your internship at ''//Mission Ridge//'' has taken an exciting turn. Thanks to the connections between Arizona’s spaceport and international space agencies, you’ve been invited to assist with a new project connected to Orbital Platform Jord, a large research habitat circling Earth. Scientists, engineers, and astronauts from many countries now live and work aboard the station. Some are government researchers, while others are employees of private space companies. Together they study how humans can live and work beyond Earth for long periods of time. Recently, something unexpected has happened. One of the station’s residents is expecting a baby. If the child is born in orbit, it could become the first human born in space. But this raises an important question that nobody has answered yet:
  • Who will that child belong to?
  • Would they be a citizen of their parents’ country?
  • A citizen of the company that built the station?
  • Or could they become the first true citizen of space?
Leaders on Earth realize they need new rules. To prepare for the future, they are beginning to draft a set of laws that could guide life beyond our planet. Some are calling it the Space Bill of Rights Because of your experience helping manage Mission Ridge, you’ve been invited to help think through these decisions. Your choices will help shape the rules of society in orbit. Choose your archetype to begin. Be careful, as this will determine the options available to you when making decisions, as denoted by the corresponding symbol: <span class="explink">(link: "Expansionist")[ (set: $archetypeCla to "exp") (set: $archetype to "Expansionist") (set: $archetypeArticle to "an") (goto: "Intro") ]</span> <span class="corplink">(link: "Corporate Sovereign")[ (set: $archetypeCla to "corp") (set: $archetype to "Corporate Sovereign") (set: $archetypeArticle to "a") (goto: "Intro") ]</span> <span class="stewlink">(link: "Steward of Spaceship Earth")[ (set: $archetypeCla to "stew") (set: $archetype to "Steward") (set: $archetypeArticle to "a") (goto: "Intro") ]</span> <span class="techlink">(link: "Technonationalist")[ (set: $archetypeCla to "tech") (set: $archetype to "Technonationalist") (set: $archetypeArticle to "a") (goto: "Intro") ]</span> <span class="utoplink">(link: "Off-World Utopian")[ (set: $archetypeCla to "utop") (set: $archetype to "Off-World Utopian") (set: $archetypeArticle to "an") (goto: "Intro") ]</span> (if: $archetypeCla is "exp")[] (elseif: $archetypeCla is "corp")[] (elseif: $archetypeCla is "tech")[] (elseif: $archetypeCla is "utop")[] (elseif: $archetypeCla is "stew")[]

You have chosen:
$archetypeArticle $archetype.

The conference module aboard Orbital Platform Jord is crowded today. Scientists, diplomats, and company representatives float in their seats while Earth slowly turns outside the viewing windows. The reason for the meeting is simple, one of the station’s residents is expecting a child. If the baby is born here in orbit, it would be the first human born in space. But no one knows what that means for their citizenship. The first question before this council is clear: Should “space citizenship” replace Earth nationality, or exist alongside it? What do you think? [[How do we define citizenship?|C1DefCit]]

''The council must decide how space citizenship should work. ''

(if: $archetypeCla is "exp")[] (elseif: $archetypeCla is "corp")[] (elseif: $archetypeCla is "tech")[] (elseif: $archetypeCla is "utop")[] (elseif: $archetypeCla is "stew")[]

As $archetypeArticle $archetype, which system do you support?

(if: $archetype is "Expansionist")[ expansionist symbolsteward symbolutop symbol[[Dual Citizenship|M2CitSupplement]] Space citizenship works alongside Earth nationality. People keep their home-country rights and gain a second, orbital citizenship. expansionist symbolutop symbol[[Space Citizenship Replaces Earth Nationality|M2CitReplace]] A new, space-first nationality replaces Earth-based nationality for those who choose it, creating a distinct off-world identity. technonationalist symbolcorporate symbol[Citizenship by Nation of Birth/Launch] Citizenship follows the nation recorded at birth or launch. Simple, but it can reinforce Earth-based control. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[Citizenship by Corporate Affiliation] Companies define membership: Employees (and their families) are corporate citizens. steward symbolutop symbol[Non-Sovereign Commons] Space is a commons with no national or corporate citizens. The child would be stateless under Earth-style law. steward symboltechnonationalist symbol[Temporary residency] People are "Guests of Orbit" until a permanent charter is written. A careful pause, but uncertain protections. ](else-if: $archetype is "Corporate Sovereign")[ corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[[Citizenship by Corporate Affiliation|M2CitCorporate]] Companies define membership: Employees (and their families) are corporate citizens. technonationalist symbolcorporate symbol[[Citizenship by Nation of Birth/Launch|M2CitNation]] Citizenship follows the nation recorded at birth or launch. Simple, but it can reinforce Earth-based control. expansionist symbolsteward symbolutop symbol[Dual Citizenship] Space citizenship works alongside Earth nationality. People keep their home-country rights and gain a second, orbital citizenship. expansionist symbolutop symbol[Space Citizenship Replaces Earth Nationality] A new, space-first nationality replaces Earth-based nationality for those who choose it, creating a distinct off-world identity. steward symbolutop symbol[Non-Sovereign Commons] Space is a commons with no national or corporate citizens. The child would be stateless under Earth-style law. steward symboltechnonationalist symbol[Temporary residency] People are "Guests of Orbit" until a permanent charter is written. A careful pause, but uncertain protections. ](else-if: $archetype is "Steward of Spaceship Earth")[ steward symbolutop symbol[[Non-Sovereign Commons|M2CitCommons]] Space is a commons with no national or corporate citizens. The child would be stateless under Earth-style law. steward symboltechnonationalist symbol[[Temporary residency|M2CitTemporary]] People are "Guests of Orbit" until a permanent charter is written. A careful pause, but uncertain protections. expansionist symbolsteward symbolutop symbol[[Dual Citizenship|M2CitSupplement]] Space citizenship works alongside Earth nationality. People keep their home-country rights and gain a second, orbital citizenship. expansionist symbolutop symbol[Space Citizenship Replaces Earth Nationality] A new, space-first nationality replaces Earth-based nationality for those who choose it, creating a distinct off-world identity. technonationalist symbolcorporate symbol[Citizenship by Nation of Birth/Launch] Citizenship follows the nation recorded at birth or launch. Simple, but it can reinforce Earth-based control. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[Citizenship by Corporate Affiliation] Companies define membership: Employees (and their families) are corporate citizens. ](else-if: $archetype is "Technonationalist")[ technonationalist symbolcorporate symbol[[Citizenship by Nation of Birth/Launch|M2CitNation]] Citizenship follows the nation recorded at birth or launch. Simple, but it can reinforce Earth-based control. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[[Citizenship by Corporate Affiliation|M2CitCorporate]] Companies define membership: Employees (and their families) are corporate citizens. steward symboltechnonationalist symbol[[Temporary residency|M2CitTemporary]] People are "Guests of Orbit" until a permanent charter is written. A careful pause, but uncertain protections. expansionist symbolsteward symbolutop symbol[Dual Citizenship] Space citizenship works alongside Earth nationality. People keep their home-country rights and gain a second, orbital citizenship. expansionist symbolutop symbol[Space Citizenship Replaces Earth Nationality] A new, space-first nationality replaces Earth-based nationality for those who choose it, creating a distinct off-world identity. steward symbolutop symbol[Non-Sovereign Commons] Space is a commons with no national or corporate citizens. The child would be stateless under Earth-style law. ](else-if: $archetype is "Off-World Utopian")[ expansionist symbolutop symbol[[Space Citizenship Replaces Earth Nationality|M2CitReplace]] A new, space-first nationality replaces Earth-based nationality for those who choose it, creating a distinct off-world identity. expansionist symbolsteward symbolutop symbol[[Dual Citizenship|M2CitSupplement]] Space citizenship works alongside Earth nationality. People keep their home-country rights and gain a second, orbital citizenship. steward symbolutop symbol[[Non-Sovereign Commons|M2CitCommons]] Space is a commons with no national or corporate citizens. The child would be stateless under Earth-style law. technonationalist symbolcorporate symbol[Citizenship by Nation of Birth/Launch] Citizenship follows the nation recorded at birth or launch. Simple, but it can reinforce Earth-based control. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[Citizenship by Corporate Affiliation] Companies define membership: Employees (and their families) are corporate citizens. steward symboltechnonationalist symbol[Temporary residency] People are "Guests of Orbit" until a permanent charter is written. A careful pause, but uncertain protections. ]''The council must decide who governs Orbital Platform Jord. '' <h4>As $archetypeArticle $archetype, which system do you support?</h4> (if: $archetype is "Expansionist")[ expansionist symbolutop symbol[[Autonomous Orbital Authority|M2GovAutonomous]] A fully independent orbital government, separate from Earth nations and institutions. expansionist symbolsteward symbolutop symbol[[Direct Digital Democracy|M2GovDigital]] Every resident of the station participates directly in decisions through secure digital voting. technonationalist symbolsteward symbol[Multi-National Council] A governing council made up of representatives from Earth's governments. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[Corporate Management Board] A corporate-led governing board oversees operations with international regulatory oversight. steward symbolutop symbol[Rotating Stewardship Council] Governance rotates between citizens, scientists, and AI representatives. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[Algorithmic Governance] An advanced AI system analyzes station data and makes governance decisions. ](else-if: $archetype is "Corporate Sovereign")[ corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[[Corporate Management Board|M2GovCorporate]] A corporate-led governing board oversees operations with international regulatory oversight. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[[Algorithmic Governance|M2GovAI]] An advanced AI system analyzes station data and makes governance decisions. technonationalist symbolsteward symbol[Multi-National Council] A governing council made up of representatives from Earth's governments. expansionist symbolutop symbol[Autonomous Orbital Authority] A fully independent orbital government, separate from Earth nations and institutions. steward symbolutop symbol[Rotating Stewardship Council] Governance rotates between citizens, scientists, and AI representatives. expansionist symbolsteward symbolutop symbol[Direct Digital Democracy] Every resident of the station participates directly in decisions through secure digital voting. ](else-if: $archetype is "Steward of Spaceship Earth")[ technonationalist symbolsteward symbol[[Multi-National Council|M2GovCouncil]] A governing council made up of representatives from Earth's governments. steward symbolutop symbol[[Rotating Stewardship Council|M2GovStewardship]] Governance rotates between citizens, scientists, and AI representatives. expansionist symbolsteward symbolutop symbol[[Direct Digital Democracy|M2GovDigital]] Every resident of the station participates directly in decisions through secure digital voting. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[Corporate Management Board] A corporate-led governing board oversees operations with international regulatory oversight. expansionist symbolutop symbol[Autonomous Orbital Authority] A fully independent orbital government, separate from Earth nations and institutions. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[Algorithmic Governance] An advanced AI system analyzes station data and makes governance decisions. ](else-if: $archetype is "Technonationalist")[ technonationalist symbolsteward symbol[[Multi-National Council|M2GovCouncil]] A governing council made up of representatives from Earth's governments. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[[Corporate Management Board|M2GovCorporate]] A corporate-led governing board oversees operations with international regulatory oversight. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[[Algorithmic Governance|M2GovAI]] An advanced AI system analyzes station data and makes governance decisions. expansionist symbolutop symbol[Autonomous Orbital Authority] A fully independent orbital government, separate from Earth nations and institutions. steward symbolutop symbol[Rotating Stewardship Council] Governance rotates between citizens, scientists, and AI representatives. expansionist symbolsteward symbolutop symbol[Direct Digital Democracy] Every resident of the station participates directly in decisions through secure digital voting. ](else-if: $archetype is "Off-World Utopian")[ steward symbolutop symbol[[Rotating Stewardship Council|M2GovStewardship]] Governance rotates between citizens, scientists, and AI representatives. expansionist symbolutop symbol[[Autonomous Orbital Authority|M2GovAutonomous]] A fully independent orbital government, separate from Earth nations and institutions. expansionist symbolsteward symbolutop symbol[[Direct Digital Democracy|M2GovDigital]] Every resident of the station participates directly in decisions through secure digital voting. technonationalist symbolsteward symbol[Multi-National Council] A governing council made up of representatives from Earth's governments. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[Corporate Management Board] A corporate-led governing board oversees operations with international regulatory oversight. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[Algorithmic Governance] An advanced AI system analyzes station data and makes governance decisions. ]The observation windows of Orbital Platform Jord showcase Earth drifting silently below, a blue marble wrapped in clouds. Inside the council chamber, the mood is far less peaceful. What began as a question about citizenship has grown into something larger. If people can live in space, raise families in space, and build communities in space, then someone must decide how those communities are governed. Representatives from Earth’s governments float beside corporate managers and research staff. A few residents of the platform have been invited to speak as well. Everyone agrees that rules must exist, and that laws are needed to resolve disputes, protect rights, and keep the station running safely. But no one agrees on who should hold that authority. Should Earth’s nations remain in charge? Should the corporations that built the station manage it? Or should orbit begin governing itself? The discussion turns toward you. If humanity is going to live beyond Earth, eventually a decision will have to be made to decide who governs the first settlements in space. As the youngest person on the team... [[Who should rule Orbital Platform Jord?|C2Gov]]The debate over governance hasn’t even settled before a new question rises. It begins quietly, with a technician pointing toward one of the station’s maintenance AIs. The system manages oxygen recycling, tracks radiation levels, and coordinates repair drones across the station. Without it, life in orbit would quickly become impossible. Nearby, a researcher floats beside a medical display showing experimental treatments designed to help human bodies adapt to long-term life in space. Stronger bones. Radiation-resistant cells. Changes that might one day create people who are no longer quite the same as humans on Earth. A lawyer from one of the partner agencies raises a simple but unsettling point. “If we’re writing a Space Bill of Rights,” she says, “we need to decide who those rights actually belong to.” Is it only humans born on Earth? Do advanced AIs deserve protection under the law? What about people whose bodies have been changed to survive beyond our planet? The room grows quiet as the implications settle in. Before the council can finish writing the laws of space, one question must be answered: [[Who counts as a “person” in orbit?|C3Peep]]''The council must decide who counts as a “person” under the new Space Bill of Rights. '' <h4>As $archetypeArticle $archetype, which option do you support?</h4> (if: $archetype is "Expansionist")[ expansionist symbolcorporate symbol[[Rights Based on Contribution|M2RightsFunction]] Rights are function-based, and are defined by contribution, not biology. technonationalist symbolcorporate symbol[Only Biological Humans Have Rights] Only biological humans have legal rights in orbit. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[AI as Corporate Property Persons] Extend limited rights to AI as corporate “property persons.” steward symbolutop symbol[Full Rights for AI and Post-Humans] Full rights for AI, post-human, and biological beings alike. technonationalist symbolsteward symbol[Rights Tied to Citizenship] Rights tied to citizenship status; stateless individuals fall under temporary protections. steward symboltechnonationalist symbol[Ethical Councils Grant Personhood] Ethical councils review new forms of life before granting personhood. steward symbolutop symbol[Universal Sentient Rights] Rights granted universally to all sentient entities, regardless of origin. ](else-if: $archetype is "Corporate Sovereign")[ corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[[AI as Corporate Property Persons|M2RightsCorporateAI]] Extend limited rights to AI as corporate “property persons.” expansionist symbolcorporate symbol[[Rights Based on Contribution|M2RightsFunction]] Rights are function-based, and are defined by contribution, not biology. technonationalist symbolcorporate symbol[[Only Biological Humans Have Rights|M2RightsBiological]] Only biological humans have legal rights in orbit. steward symbolutop symbol[Full Rights for AI and Post-Humans] Full rights for AI, post-human, and biological beings alike. technonationalist symbolsteward symbol[Rights Tied to Citizenship] Rights tied to citizenship status; stateless individuals fall under temporary protections. steward symboltechnonationalist symbol[Ethical Councils Grant Personhood] Ethical councils review new forms of life before granting personhood. steward symbolutop symbol[Universal Sentient Rights] Rights granted universally to all sentient entities, regardless of origin. ](else-if: $archetype is "Steward of Spaceship Earth")[ steward symbolutop symbol[[Full Rights for AI and Post-Humans|M2RightsFull]] Full rights for AI, post-human, and biological beings alike. steward symbolutop symbol[[Universal Sentient Rights|M2RightsUniversal]] Rights granted universally to all sentient entities, regardless of origin. steward symboltechnonationalist symbol[[Ethical Councils Grant Personhood|M2RightsEthical]] Ethical councils review new forms of life before granting personhood. technonationalist symbolsteward symbol[[Rights Tied to Citizenship|M2RightsCitizenship]] Rights tied to citizenship status; stateless individuals fall under temporary protections. expansionist symbolcorporate symbol[Rights Based on Contribution] Rights are function-based, and are defined by contribution, not biology. technonationalist symbolcorporate symbol[Only Biological Humans Have Rights] Only biological humans have legal rights in orbit. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[AI as Corporate Property Persons] Extend limited rights to AI as corporate “property persons.” ](else-if: $archetype is "Technonationalist")[ technonationalist symbolcorporate symbol[[Only Biological Humans Have Rights|M2RightsBiological]] Only biological humans have legal rights in orbit. technonationalist symbolsteward symbol[[Rights Tied to Citizenship|M2RightsCitizenship]] Rights tied to citizenship status; stateless individuals fall under temporary protections. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[[AI as Corporate Property Persons|M2RightsCorporateAI]] Extend limited rights to AI as corporate “property persons.” expansionist symbolcorporate symbol[Rights Based on Contribution] Rights are function-based, and are defined by contribution, not biology. steward symbolutop symbol[Full Rights for AI and Post-Humans] Full rights for AI, post-human, and biological beings alike. steward symboltechnonationalist symbol[Ethical Councils Grant Personhood] Ethical councils review new forms of life before granting personhood. steward symbolutop symbol[Universal Sentient Rights] Rights granted universally to all sentient entities, regardless of origin. ](else-if: $archetype is "Off-World Utopian")[ steward symbolutop symbol[[Full Rights for AI and Post-Humans|M2RightsFull]] Full rights for AI, post-human, and biological beings alike. steward symbolutop symbol[[Universal Sentient Rights|M2RightsUniversal]] Rights granted universally to all sentient entities, regardless of origin. expansionist symbolcorporate symbol[Rights Based on Contribution] Rights are function-based, and are defined by contribution, not biology. technonationalist symbolcorporate symbol[Only Biological Humans Have Rights] Only biological humans have legal rights in orbit. corporate symboltechnonationalist symbol[AI as Corporate Property Persons] Extend limited rights to AI as corporate “property persons.” technonationalist symbolsteward symbol[Rights Tied to Citizenship] Rights tied to citizenship status; stateless individuals fall under temporary protections. steward symboltechnonationalist symbol[Ethical Councils Grant Personhood] Ethical councils review new forms of life before granting personhood. ]
Interview with: Maya Begay, Union Representative
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_maya.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Maya Begay"> You: “So space belongs to everyone and no one?” Maya: “That idea isn’t as strange as it sounds. There are communities on Earth that have lived that way for a long time; where land isn’t something you own, but something you take care of together. That sort of thinking really only stopped in the 19th century. Space might be the first place where we actually have to think that way again. No borders. No property lines. Just a shared environment that everyone depends on.” You: “That must face some pushback. Wouldn’t it be hard to manage?” Maya: “Sharing always is. It means trusting people and making decisions together instead of handing control to whoever has the most power. A commons is fragile, but it’s also fair in a way most systems aren’t.” [[What comes next?|C2Intro]]
Interview with: Evan Cadwell, Senior Corporate Executive
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_evan.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Evan Cadwell"> You: “Should companies determine citizenship in orbit?” Evan: “Listen kid, governance should follow investment and infrastructure. Companies built the platforms, funded the launch systems, and maintain the infrastructure that keeps people alive up there. If you’re part of the mission, you’re part of the community.” You: “Has anything like that actually worked before?” Evan “Absolutely, as long as people know their place. Mining towns, railroad towns... Space towns are just the next iteration of something that's been going since the stone age. I aint saying it's perfect, but it worked well enough to build entire industries from nothing.” [[What comes next?|C2Intro]]
Interview with: Marisol Vega, Arizona Space Commissioner
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_marisol.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Marisol Vega"> You:“Should citizenship simply follow Earth nationality?” Marisol: “Yes." You: "And...?" Marisol: “International law already works that way. The astronauts on the ISS were Americans and Russians before they were spacepeople. Why bother mudding the waters when rights, responsibilities, and protections are already defined.” [[What comes next?|C2Intro]]
Interview with: Margaret Cortez, Jord Platform Investor
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_margaret.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Margaret Cortez"> You:“So why replace Earth nationality with a new space citizenship?” Margaret:“Because new frontiers succeed far more often when they stop thinking like the old world. If people are living in orbit, raising families there, and building the infrastructure of space, then they’re not just visitors anymore. They’re the first citizens of something new.” [[What comes next?|C2Intro]]
Interview with: Marisol Vega, Arizona Space Commissioner
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_marisol.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Marisol Vega"> You: “What do you think about space citizenship existing alongside Earth nationality?” Marisol: “That it's the most practical option. Earth governments already have legal systems, courts, and treaties. A dual model lets space communities experiment with new institutions without abandoning the protections people already rely on.” [[What comes next?|C2Intro]]
Interview with: Simon Brooks, Groundteam Liaison
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_simon.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Simon Brooks"> You: “So everyone is just a ‘guest of orbit’ for now?” Simon: “Yep, I suppose. It works for now, but people living here every day need to know what rights they actually have. I guess the only reason I can support it is because the alternatives are tougher. But temporary systems have a habit of sticking around, so I guess this is how it'll be from now on.” [[What comes next?|C2Intro]]Night falls slowly over Orbital Platform Jord. The station lights glow softly against the darkness as Earth turns far below, oceans and continents drifting silently beneath a thin veil of clouds. The council chamber is quiet now. The debates about citizenship, governance, and rights have ended, at least for today. Somewhere in the station’s medical module, the first child who may ever be born in space is still waiting to arrive. Life aboard the station continues. Maintenance drones hum along the outer hull. Scientists log their research. Crew members float through the corridors on their way to the next shift. The rules written here will guide how all of them live together in orbit. The decisions made today will reach far beyond this station. One day, settlements on the Moon, Mars, and places not yet imagined may look back to these first laws and wonder how humanity decided what it meant to belong in space. Your internship isn’t over yet, but your work aboard the platform is coming to a close. As you prepare to return to Earth, one of the council coordinators hands you a small sealed envelope. (if: $archetypeCla is "exp")[] (elseif: $archetypeCla is "corp")[] (elseif: $archetypeCla is "tech")[] (elseif: $archetypeCla is "utop")[] (elseif: $archetypeCla is "stew")[]

There's a small badge inside the notecard - Your reward for a job well done as $archetypeArticle $archetype.

<h4>Reflection Prompts:</h4> Citizenship: Should people living in space remain citizens of Earth nations, or should new identities emerge beyond our planet? Governance: Who should hold authority in orbit? Earth governments, corporations, citizens themselves, or something entirely new? Personhood: As technology evolves, how should society define who deserves rights and protections under the law? Future Communities: If humanity builds settlements across the solar system, what values should guide how those societies work? [[Try Again?|Archetype Selection]]
Interview with: Elsie Lent, Platform AI Systems Specialist
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_elsie.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Elsie Lent"> You: “Could an AI actually govern the entire station?” Elsie: “One might argue it already does. Without the computers that keep the lights on and the air circulating, this whole platform doesn't happen. It's an order of magnitude better at dealing with all of that then people are, so why not put it in charge of everything else? Scheduling, resource allocation, safety systems, machines handle complexity better than we do. I guess the real question is how much control we’re willing to give them.” [[What comes next?|C3Intro]]
Interview with: Margaret Cortez, Jord Platform Investor
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_margaret.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Margaret Cortez"> You: “So your aim is to see the creation of a government completely independent from Earth?” Margaret: “That’s the whole point of going to space. If every decision still runs through Earth, then we never really left.” You: “Is that realistic right now?” Margaret: “Not yet. But someone has to build the first version of it. That’s how every new system starts.” [[What comes next?|C3Intro]]
Interview with: Jack Moreno, Pilot and Community Activist
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_jack.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Jack"> You: “Do you think the companies should run the station?” Jack: “They can run the hardware, sure. That’s what they’re good at. But running people? That’s different. Any 'exec that looks at my team might think they're dead weight, but they'd be dead wrong. You start tying everything to the bottom line up here, and sooner or later someone cuts the wrong corner. Maybe on Earth that means a bad quarter, but up here? That’s people's lives.” [[What comes next?|C3Intro]]
Interview with: Arjen Panchal, Chairman of the Shareholder's Board
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_Arjen.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Arjen"> You: “So you think Earth’s governments should stay in charge of orbit?” Arjen: “They already are, whether people admit it or not. Launch systems, funding, infrastructure, none of that exists without the nations who support the companies that build them.” You: “You don't think that it puts too much reliance on the planet?” Arjen: “It’s stable. You need to understand that space isn’t a blank slate, it’s an extension of Earth’s power. Better to be honest about that than pretend politics disappears in orbit.” [[What comes next?|C3Intro]]
Interview with: Simon Brooks, Groundteam Liaison
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_simon.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Simon Brooks"> You: “So everyone on the station gets a direct vote?” Simon: “Yep, at least those who want to make use of it. When I was a kid we had this saying, 'Who rules the world? Whoever shows up.' The real challenge is actually convincing people to take an interest in the politics of the platform. Most people are here to do a job, and then leave. It's not many of us thinking of this place like our home.” [[What comes next?|C3Intro]]
Interview with: Maya Begay, Union Representative
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_maya.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Maya Begay"> You: “So governance is rotated between citizens, scientists, and AIs?” Maya: “That’s closer to balance than most systems we’ve tried. No single group holds power long enough to shape everything around itself. We've seen how that works out on Earth” You: “Would that actually work? If no one can get entrenched won't that also mean not much progress is made?” Maya: “It would take effort. But shared responsibility usually does. The question is whether people are willing to do that work. I hope they are.” [[What comes next?|C3Intro]]
Interview with: Arjen Panchal, Chairman of the Shareholder's Board
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_Arjen.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Arjen"> You: “Should only humans have legal rights in orbit?” Arjen: “Absolutely! Law exists to protect human systems, and those systems are already fragile enough this far from Earth. The moment you start extending rights beyond that, you introduce uncertainty into something that needs to be stable. We can revisit the question later, perhaps when we actually have built something sapient, but not while we’re still building the foundation.” [[What comes next?|M2Epilogue]]
Interview with: Marisol Vega, Arizona Space Comissioner
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_marisol.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Marisol Vega"> You: “Should rights depend on citizenship status?” Marisol: "Yes." You: “You've got to work with me here." Marisol: “Yes. That’s how most legal systems function today. Citizenship defines who is protected, who is responsible, and who has access to institutions. It’s not perfect, but it provides structure. Without that framework, enforcing rights becomes much more difficult. Besides, it's not like non-citizens are persona non grata. It's just that theres some extra steps.” [[What comes next?|M2Epilogue]]
Interview with: Evan Cadwell, Senior Corporate Executive
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_evan.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Evan Cadwell"> You:“What about giving AI limited legal status as corporate property?” Evan: “It’s the practical approach bucko. You acknowledge that these systems make decisions and have real impact, but you keep accountability where it belongs: with the people and organizations that built them. It avoids pretending machines are human while still recognizing their role in operations. It’s not some philosophical junk, it’s practical, functional, and most importantly of all — profitable.” [[What comes next?|M2Epilogue]]
Interview with: Arjen Panchal, Chairman of the Shareholder's Board
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_Arjen.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Arjen"> You: “So a committee decides who qualifies as a person? What do you think?” Arjen:“I think it creates a different kind of problem. You’re concentrating a huge amount of authority in a small group and asking them to define something fundamental. Even with the best intentions, that kind of system can become inconsistent or politicized. Once those decisions start shaping who has rights and who doesn’t, the stakes get very high very quickly. That’s not something you want drifting based on interpretation.” [[What comes next?|M2Epilogue]]
Interview with: Maya Begay, Union Representative
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_maya.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Maya Begay"> You: “Should all forms of life have equal rights in space? On Earth too?” Maya: “I don't really see how it's a debate, if they’re part of the community, then yes. Earth is a whole other issue, but Space changes what it means to be human, and it’s going to create new kinds of people and intelligence whether we plan for it or not. Drawing a hard line now just means someone gets excluded later. It’s better to build a system that can include everyone from the start.” [[What comes next?|M2Epilogue]]
Interview with: Margaret Cortez, Jord Platform Investor
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_margaret.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Margaret Cortez"> You:“Doesn’t rights being based on contribution have some unsettling connotations?” Margaret: “It can, if you think of it the wrong way. People hear that and imagine some kind of harsh system where worth is constantly judged and measured. The thing is in a fronteir environment like this everyone depends on everyone else doing something that keeps the whole system running. We literally can't afford dead weight at this moment. We can't let people benefit from a system they don’t help sustain.” [[What comes next?|M2Epilogue]]
Interview with: Simon Brooks, Groundteam Liaison
<img src="https://csi.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/characters-spacefutures_simon.jpg" class="portrait" alt="Simon Brooks"> You: “What do you think about giving rights to all sentient beings? Seems like a big leap.” Simon:“Maybe, but I think that’s the direction we’re heading, whether we admit it or not. The moment something can think or feel,it's a person, same as you or me. I might not fully understand much about 'Thinking Machines' or aliens, but I don't think I got to tell you that drawing lines just because something is new or unfamiliar has never worked out well in the long run. [[What comes next?|M2Epilogue]]