Global asymmetry and externalities in the space economy: Digital colonialism and the new cycle of dependence

This article argues that the space economy is not just a technological frontier, but a multidimensional realm that encompasses global justice, data sovereignty, and the provision of public goods. Satellite-based systems, positioning systems, and earth observation data produce significant positive externalities in various areas, including disaster prevention, agriculture, and environmental protection. However, the consolidation of ownership and control over these infrastructures in the hands of just a few major entities is also making these forms of digital colonialism more menacing. Based on Andre Gunder Frank's Dependency Theory, the study argues that peripheral countries are mere consumers of space-based information, deprived of independence in high-value sectors such as satellite manufacturing, launching systems, and spectrum allocation. The analysis highlights that, despite tangible advances in satellite ownership, profound structural imbalances persist. In short, democratizing the space economy entails making information public, fostering competition among launchers, and enhancing international governance. These are necessary measures to ensure that space infrastructures grow, not just as technologies, but as engines of social justice and equitable global development.