Solutions Looking for Problems? How Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences can Inform the Space Sector

Interdisciplinary research approaches are more likely to deliver outcomes beyond the capability of a single discipline is well established in the research literature. In view of the inherent complexity of space exploration, and the considerable challenges characterizing what has been termed the “New Space Age”, interdisciplinary research would seem well positioned to engage with the space sector to a very significant extent. However, contributions that the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) disciplines can make in addressing the needs of business, industry, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and policymakers in the space sector remains equivocal. This exploratory study aims to investigate the latent contribution and value-added potential of HASS disciplines to inform the space sector through interviews with 32 senior practitioners and policymakers from this sector in Australia, Europe, and the USA. Findings suggest not only a definitive role of HASS disciplines in the space sector but also an almost symbiotic relationship existing between HASS and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics disciplines. In addition, HASS contributions to the space sector have changed over time, and challenges facing HASS disciplines in the future represent opportunities to embed HASS as a more credible contributor within the space sector. •Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) contributions and challenges involving the Space sector have changed over time.•HASS disciplines play a definitive role in the Space sector.•Complex space goals rely on symbiotic relationships of HASS and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematicsdisciplines.•Findings show how to embed HASS as a more credible contributor to the Space sector.