The Interstellar Frontiers: Interdisciplinary Space Explorations and New International Cooperation Visions of Pluriversal Governance beyond Planet Earth

After the end of the Cold War, international collaborations among scientists, engineers and scholars have expanded the boundaries of research to prepare humanity for the ‘interstellar frontiers’ beyond planet Earth. These emerging knowledge ecosystems—spanning astrophysics, astrobiology, astronautics, space law, futurology, astro artificial intelligence, extraterrestrial energy, and non-tellurian ethics—have begun reconfiguring how societies imagine interplanetary futures. While Cold War space competition was largely driven by geopolitics, prestige and military capability, contemporary multipolar interstellar endeavours are increasingly motivated by sustainability concerns, economic interdependencies, and the search for new cooperative models across multiple worlds. Yet, persistent inequalities, environmental crises and fragmented global governance structures remind us of the limitations of Earth-centric thinking. For communities in both the Global North and South, a shared challenge remains—how to ensure that space advances foster cooperation, justice and survival for the humanity and possible non-tellurian worlds alike.This Research Topic aims to advance new conceptualizations of pluriversal governance and interstellar political economy that transcend traditional geopolitical frameworks. It seeks to explore how interdisciplinary research can inspire a cooperative architecture for interplanetary relations, grounded in ethics and sustainability. Building on the interconnectedness of humanity’s scientific, technological, legal and moral trajectories, contributors are invited to envision governance and policy frameworks that prevent the replication of terrestrial injustices in space. Key questions include: What have the interstellar frontiers knowledge ecosystems accomplished so far? What are the critical scientific, technological, legal and ethical issues that demand international attention? And how can new cooperation models, legal codes and interstellar ethics foster pluriversal sustainability and peaceful coexistence beyond Earth?To gather further insights into the evolving field of interstellar political economy and governance, we welcome contributions that promote inclusive, cross-disciplinary and dialogical approaches between the sciences, humanities, and cultural-religious perspectives. The scope encompasses the theorization and practical exploration of emerging interstellar dynamics bridging the Global North and South, while maintaining a focus on governance, ethics and cooperation. We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to the following themes:o Pluriversal order and interstellar governance architectureso Global history of space exploration and interstellar relationso Religions, non-anthropocentrism and non-tellurian interstellar ethicso International organizations and the Earth–Moon–Mars political economyo Legal, regulatory, and diplomatic frameworks for interplanetary cooperationo Science, technology and innovations in interstellar economieso Non-state actors and cross-cultural interstellar relationso Interstellar risks, safety, and security governanceo Artificial and augmented space health, sustainability and roboticso Theological reflections and pluriversal ethics in encounters with non-tellurian beings Topic editors: Pak Nung Wong, Scott Thomas, Anthony O'Mahony Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/83694/the-interstellar-frontiers-interdisciplinary-space-explorations-and-new-international-cooperation-visions-of-pluriversal-governance-beyond-planet-earth