Erika Nesvold

Erika Nesvold, an astrophysicist focused on ethics of living off Earth, and Scott Solomon, an evolutionary biologist studying human adaptation to other planets, discuss space medicine, how low and partial gravity impact bones and immune systems, the prospects and risks of raising children off Earth, and the social justice challenges of building small, isolated space communities.

In this conversation, Dr. Erika Nesvold, an astrophysicist and author of "Off Earth," delves into the ethical quandaries of becoming a multiplanetary species. She explores how to navigate governance and ethics in space colonization, learning from past mistakes. With a blend of humor and seriousness, they tackle the challenges of raising future generations in zero-gravity, including moral dilemmas surrounding childbirth in space. Plus, the conversation emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in selecting space settlers and sustainable practices for our cosmic future.

Astrophysicist and space communicator Erika Nesvold discusses the ethical governance of space settlements, including conflicting motivations for space settlement, selection of space settlers, legal personhood for non-terrestrial bodies, labor law and criminal justice in space settlements, and how motivations for settling space influence government forms. Topics also include science fiction influences, the JustSpace Alliance, and the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.