Cosmic Footprint Society
Research and dialogue on the impacts of human activities in outer space
This page presents the organisational structure of the Cosmic Footprint Society, established in accordance with French non-profit law (RNA: n° W942012266, registered 3 July 2024). All governance bodies operate on a fully voluntary basis.
Elected by the General Assembly — 4 December 2025 → Democratic process: secret ballot, quorum met, 95% Yes / 0% No / 5% Abstain
🇫🇷 Adrien Normier — President Airline Pilot & Doctoral Researcher in Philosophy of Science, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
🇫🇷 Dr. David Boulesteix — Secretary General Permanent Researcher, LGPM Laboratory, Université Paris-Saclay / CentraleSupélec, France
🇨🇦 Dr. Noemi Giammichele — Treasurer Senior Image Processing Specialist, Northstar Earth and Space, Montréal, Canada
🇺🇸 Dr. Asmaa Boujibar — Science Officer Assistant Professor, Department of Geology & Department of Physics and Astronomy, Advanced Materials and Science Engineering Center, Western Washington University, USA
🇩🇪 Prof. Dr. Claudius Gros — Science Officer Institute for Theoretical Physics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany
🇫🇮 Dr. Oskari Sivula — Ethics & Civil Society Officer Department of Philosophy, Contemporary History and Political Science, University of Turku, Finland
🇺🇸 Dr. Annette S. Lee — Ethics & Civil Society Officer Senior Researcher, OSPAPIK / Université of Western Brittany; Founder, Native Skywatchers; Indigenous Astronomy & Cultural Knowledge Systems, USA
Appointed by Board Resolution 2026-1
🇧🇷 Prof. Beatriz Barbuy Professor in Astrophysics, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil Member, Brazilian Academy of Sciences
Appointed by Board Resolution 2026-1. The Advisory Board provides scientific, ethical, legal and policy expertise to the Board of Directors. All members serve in a voluntary capacity across three thematic domains.
A. Empirical & Archival Sciences
🇬🇧 Prof. Dr. Ian Crawford Professor of Planetary Science & Astrobiology Birkbeck College, University of London, UK
🇺🇸 Dr. Ruby Patterson Lunar Geologist, Crisium Group, USA
🇬🇧 Prof. Michael A. Garrett FRS Sir Bernard Lovell Chair in Astrophysics & Director, Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics University of Manchester, UK
🇺🇸 Dr. Donnacha Fitzgerald Computational & Synthetic Biologist, European Molecular Biology Laboratory Founder & CEO, Origenity, USA
🇺🇸 Dr. Justin A. Holcomb Assistant Research Professor, Kansas Geological Survey University of Kansas, Lawrence, USA Liaison, ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites)
B. Societal Dimensions & Ethics
🇬🇧 Dr. Anthony Milligan School of History, Philosophy & Digital Humanities University of Sheffield, UK
🇨🇦 Prof. Kathryn Denning Associate Professor, Anthropology & Space Ethics York University, Canada
🇯🇵 Dr. Koji Tachibana Associate Professor of Philosophy Chiba University, Japan
🇩🇪 Dr. Chelsea Haramia Researcher in Philosophy & Space Ethics University of Bonn, Germany
🇫🇷 Dr. Jessica Lombard Doctor of Philosophy (CNU 17 — Philosophy; CNU 72 — Epistemology, History of Science and Technology), France
🇫🇷🇦🇺 Dr. Estelle Castro-Koshy Co-Director & Senior Researcher, ERC-funded OSPAPIK Project (Ocean and Space Pollution, Artistic Practices and Knowledge Systems) Université de Bretagne Occidentale, France Adjunct Research Fellow, James Cook University, Australia
🇦🇺 Prof. Juan F. Salazar Director (Interim), Institute for Culture and Society Western Sydney University, Australia
🇺🇸 Charles Horikami Attorney at Law, Regulatory and Space Policy Advisor Founder, LunarMVI, Washington D.C., USA
🇺🇸 Dr. George Profitiliotis Researcher, Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, USA
🇬🇧 Dr. Matjaz Vidmar Lecturer in Engineering Management The University of Edinburgh, UK
🌍 Most Farjana Sharmin Doctoral Candidate, South Asian University, India (Bangladeshi national) Advisory scope: governance frameworks for small and emerging spacefaring nations, LEO access equity and regulatory architecture
90 members from : 🇫🇷 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇨🇦 🇩🇪 🇦🇺 🇯🇵 🇫🇮 🇧🇷 🇮🇹 🇧🇪 🇳🇱 🇸🇪 🇮🇳 🇳🇿 🇰🇷 🇹🇳 🇮🇶 🇬🇭 🇹🇹 🇮🇩 🇧🇩 🇪🇸 🇸🇳 🇨🇭
The General Assembly is the sovereign body of the Cosmic Footprint Society. It elects the Board of Directors and approves major organisational decisions.
Composition (as of December 2025)
Total members~90Countries represented25Continents6PhD-level researchers & academics~65%Professionals (law, engineering, policy, industry)~15%Civil society, students & engaged citizens~20%
Members span: astrophysics · planetary science · astrobiology · philosophy · ethics · law · space policy · sociology · anthropology · archaeology · mathematics · biology · environmental science · engineering · indigenous knowledge systems · science communication · foresight & innovation
INSTITUTIONAL ANCHORS (selection)
Sorbonne Université · Université Paris-Saclay / CentraleSupélec · Goethe University Frankfurt · Birkbeck College London · University of Manchester · University of Edinburgh · University of Turku · Western Washington University · York University · Western Sydney University · Universidade de São Paulo · Chiba University · KAIST · Paris Observatory / Académie des sciences · SETI Institute · Blue Marble Space Institute of Science · European Space Agency · Imperial College London · The Open University · Penn State University · University of Washington · Cal Poly · Lund University · Radboud University · University of Tübingen · Université de Bretagne Occidentale · Université d'Orléans · CNRS · Institut de Mathématiques de Toulouse · Northland College · Clemson University · University of Arizona · Swinburne University · James Cook University · UQAM · South Asian University
Membership is free and open to scientists, stakeholders, and members of the general public who support the Society's mission to bring the question of humanity's cosmic footprint to the United Nations.
The Cosmic Footprint Society operates on a zero-cost volunteer model.
This lean structure is a deliberate organisational choice — it ensures independence, eliminates conflicts of interest, and reflects the Society's commitment to responsible stewardship, beginning with its own operations.
Non-profit association, French law (loi 1901)
For governance enquiries: contact@cosmicfootprint.org
Open letter, published in Nature Astronomy
Contextual note: as of 21/08/25, 150 individuals and entities endorse this letter. To support scholarly follow-up and dialogue on the questions raised in this correspondence, the Cosmic Footprint Society (non-profit) was formed. Scientists, stakeholders and members of the public are invited to endorse the correspondence or join the Cosmic Footprint Society (1 min - membership is free).
Adrien Normier¹, Asmaa Boujibar 2 , David Boulesteix 3 , Oskari Sivula 4 , Ian A. Crawford 5 , Claudius Gros 6 , Charles Horikami 7 , Koji Tachibana 8 , Raushan Ali Firaq 9 , Valentin Degrange 10 , Noemi Giammichele 11 , Pierre Léna 12 , Noémie Mazaré 13 , Claude Nicollier 14 , George Profitiliotis 15 , Enock Rutunda 16 , Douglas Vakoch 17
¹UMR 8011 - Sorbonne Université, Bureau G071, 17 Rue de Sorbonne,75005 PARIS; 2 Department of Geology, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Advanced Materials and Science Engineering Center, West Washington University; 3 LGPM laboratory Centrale Supélec, 91190 Gif-sur-yvette, France; 4 Department of Philosophy, Contemporary History and Political Science, University of Turku; 5 Birkbeck College, University of London; 6 Institute for Theoretical Physics, Goethe University Frankfurt; 7 Attorney at Law, Regulatory and Space Policy Advisor, Founder, LunarMVI, USA; 8 Faculty of Humanities, Chiba University, Japan; 9 Independent Researcher, Hulhumale, Maldives; 10 Independent Researcher, Lyon, France; 11 Independent Researcher, Montréal, Canada; 12 Académie des Sciences, Institut de France, 23 Quai de Conti, 75006 Paris, France; 13 Independent Researcher, France; 14 École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne; 15 Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, 600 1st Avenue, 1st Floor, Seattle, Washington 98104; 16 Spring Institute for Forests on the Moon,15700 Pleaux, France; 17 METI International,100 Pine Street, Suite 1250,San Francisco, CA 94111-5235
*Corresponding authors: Ian Crawford (i.crawford@bbk.ac.uk) ,
Adrien Normier (anormier@gmail.com)
Notice: Submitted Manuscript (03/05/2025, PDF ). The original was published in Nature Astronomy ( DOI: 10.1038/s41550-025-02606-7 ; Online Viewer ). To provide fuller context, this version restores references present in early drafts and considered of interest to readers, but removed during the editorial process (refs 12, 13). It is released under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license, in accordance with the Springer Nature Licence to Publish (v.4.1.5, 19 May 2025, clause 3.b).
This is a critical moment in the history of Earth: Humans are ending 3.5–3.8 billion years of relative isolation¹,², and may now leave lasting physical, chemical, biological, and unforeseen impacts on space environments. Crewed missions, alongside technological advancements in the New Space age—such as miniaturization and the use of artificial intelligence—accelerate this trend. Decisions with potentially far-reaching cosmic consequences are being made. Hence, there is an urgent need for action.
Amongst the array of possible effects following our space endeavors, some may lead—through chain reactions or exponential mechanisms—to significant, large-scale and/or irreversible changes, such as: (1) geomorphologic alterations 3 impacting entire planetary landscapes; (2) changes of celestial dynamics 4 , leading to asteroid impacts or exponentially growing orbital debris; (3) large-scale spread of chemicals 5 , altering chemical evolution and the potential for emergence or evolution of lifeforms on a given body; (4) the spread of terrestrial lifeforms, inducing the creation of new biospheres or destruction/interaction with pre-existing ones 6 , 7 ,13 ; and (5) the changes in Earth’s electromagnetic signature, thereby increasing the potential for the identification by putative extraterrestrial intelligences 8 , 9 .
The above scenarios may result in unprecedented consequences and prompt critical questions, such as: is it acceptable to spread terrestrial lifeforms to other celestial bodies, knowing their introduction could significantly impact environments and potential local life or even create new biospheres? Do humans have a responsibility to do so? Or rather to prevent it? Do we, as a species, want to create, destroy, or interact with extraterrestrial bio- and geo-spheres, either by accident or intentionally? Is it acceptable to signal nearby exoplanets? Beyond the scientific considerations, is it acceptable to allow biological or chemical contamination onboard spacecraft, even when landing in places in the solar system likely to host life? Is it desirable that such actions are decided by informed groups, having, however, limited representation with respect to the majority of humanity? Or unilaterally by governments, corporations, or individuals? How to respect the variety of cultural representations? Is there a need for specific laws, regulations and governance structures addressing these questions 11 ?
These questions concern the intergenerational responsibility of humanity, which extends beyond our own species and biosphere 12 . They address the large-scale, irreversible impacts that humans have and will continue to have, following today's decisions. They connect contemporaneous actions, with consequences at scales unheard of in history, raising ethical questions we have no easy answer to. They relate to one overarching consideration: what is humanity’s responsibility, concerning its footprint on the cosmos?
Established in 1967, the Outer Space Treaty included the imperative to avoid "harmful contamination" of celestial bodies. Since then, several relevant issues related to humanity's cosmic footprint have been addressed; notably, the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Panel on Planetary Protection developed guidelines for biological transfers in order to safeguard studies regarding the origin of life and to protect our planet from contamination. Further, a broader interest in space ethics has emerged, encompassing questions concerning humanity’s impact on the cosmos. In 1999, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) created a Sub-Commission on the Ethics of Outer Space. For 2024-2025, COMEST aims to formulate ethical principles for space exploration and exploitation. In 2010, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) established the Working Group on the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities.
These initiatives, especially at the multilateral UN Level, are commendable and should be supported (for example through the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space). However, no entity today is dedicated explicitly to the empirical evaluation of our overall cosmic footprint or to the exploration and development of responsible strategies to address it.
In response to this situation, we, stakeholders and specialists from various nations, involved in a broad spectrum of space-related disciplines and activities, collectively call to humankind, the nations of Earth, scholars, experts, policymakers, stakeholders, space-related corporations and ethics committees, to unite in recognizing the need to assess and responsibly address humanity's impact beyond Earth.
Acknowledging prior work completed by dedicated individuals and organizations, we encourage everyone, from their respective areas of expertise or position of action, to engage in a comprehensive evaluation of our cosmic footprint, explore the related ethical considerations, challenge the current governance practices, and take action. In particular, we encourage:
To amplify the impact of this work, we invite all interested parties to co-endorse the ‘Cosmic Footprint’ initiative, alongside the individuals and institutions listed here: Endorsement
We acknowledge the International Space Science Institute, for facilitating a forum fostering productive research and conversations, and Justin A. Holcomb for their support in this endeavor.
Note: References 12 and 13 were present in early drafts of this manuscript and are restored here for the benefit of the reader; they do not appear in the final published version.
1. Beech, M. Lithopanspermia – the terrestrial input during the past 550 million years. Am. J. Astron. Astrophys. 6, 81 (2018). https://dx.doi.org/10.11648/j.ajaa.20180603.14 .
2. Melosh, H. J. Exchange of meteorites (and life?) between stellar systems. Astrobiology 3 , 207–215 (2003). https://dx.doi.org/10.1089/153110703321632525 .
3. Holcomb, J. A., Mandel, R. D. & Wegmann, K. W. The case for a lunar anthropocene. Nat. Geosci. 17 , 2–4 (2023). https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-023-01347-4 .
4. Fenucci, M. & Carbognani, A. Long-term orbital evolution of Dimorphos boulders and implications on the origin of meteorites. Mon. Not. R. Astron . Soc. 528 , 6660–6665 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stae464 .
5. Shipley, S. T., Metzger, P. T. & Lane, J. E. Lunar Cold Trap Contamination by Landing Vehicles. https://dx.doi.org/10.1061/9780784479179.018 .
6. Sivula, O. The Cosmic Significance of Directed Panspermia: Should Humanity Spread Life to Other Solar Systems? Utilitas 34 , 178–194 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1017/S095382082100042X .
7. Charles S. Cockell. Planetary protection—A microbial ethics approach. Space Policy 21 , 287–292 (2005). https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2005.08.003 .
8. Wright, J. T., Haramia, C. & Swiney, G. Geopolitical Implications of a Successful SETI Program. Space Policy 63 , 101517 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2022.101517.
9. Haqq-Misra, J. & Baum, S. D. The Ethics of METI: Messaging to Extraterrestrial Intelligence. Space Policy 25 , 141–149 (2009).
10. Ehrenfreund, P. et al. Editorial to the New Restructured and Edited COSPAR Policy on Planetary Protection. Space Res. Today 10–13 (2024). https://elib.dlr.de/205614/ .
11. Crawford, I. A. Who Speaks for Humanity? In Astrobiology Ethics (eds. Chon-Torres, O. & Peters, T.) 313–338 (Scrivener, 2021).
12. Normier, A. Kingmakers: Life’s Gateway to the Stars. Master II Thesis, Philosophy of Science, Paris-Sorbonne University (2020). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16408518
13. Gros, C. Developing ecospheres on transiently habitable planets: The genesis project. Astrophys. Space Sci. 361, 324 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-016-2911-0.
Endorsement: The below individuals or entities, endorse the correspondence A call to address humanity's cosmic footprint , as submitted to Nature Astronomy . Endorsements are made in a personal capacity unless the endorser is an organization or institution. Apart from the authors—whose names are listed in the original authoring order—other endorsers are presented in chronological order of their endorsement. Scientists, stakeholders, and members of the public are invited to endorse the correspondence or join the Society.
The Cosmic Footprint Society was created to facilitate continued scholarly discussion and international dialogue regarding the questio
Participation: To endorse this call or join the Cosmic Footprint Society (free), simply fill out the 🖋️ Express Action Form (1 minute).
Editorial note: This version reproduces the note submitted during the COMEST public session of 15 September 2025. Minor typographical and formatting corrections have been introduced for clarity. The substance of the note is unchanged.
The final report refers to the measurement of humanity’s cosmic footprint in the context of developing measurable and visible approaches to space ethics and environmental stewardship.
Madam Chair of the UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST),
Adrien Normier, President, Cosmic Footprint Society* – contact: adrien@cosmicfootprint.org
Pierre Léna, Member of the French Academy of Sciences
*An international Society established to initiate and support A Call to address humanity’s cosmic footprint, published in Nature Astronomy, Normier A et al., 9, 934–935, July 18, 2025. ( 150+ signatories .)
« This is a critical moment in the history of Earth: humans are ending 3.5–3.8 billion years of relative isolation of the terrestrial biosphere from interaction with its cosmic environment, and may now leave lasting physical, chemical, biological, and unforeseen impacts beyond Earth...» [Nature Astronomy, op. cit.]
Nature Astronomy recently published our approach to humanity’s footprint in outer space. This perspective suggests several possible complements to the draft report on Space Ethics ahead of its presentation to the United Nations:
To conclude, and in line with the draft’s conclusions, we propose establishing a global register to qualify and quantify humanity’s cosmic footprin t. The concept of such a register may be explored by relevant international stakeholders, with public access ensuring transparency and democratic deliberation.
We respectfully request that this proposal be included in the minutes of the 15 September public hearing. A more detailed document could be provided to the Secretariat if useful.
Supplemental note: We respectfully suggest the removal or amendment of the proposed Space Ethics Scale. It risks unduly concentrating normative authority in the hands of evaluators.
The concept of humanity’s cosmic footprint has recently attracted growing scientific attention. In this context, an international Working Group hosted by the International Space Science Institute (ISSI) in Bern is preparing a research volume titled Anthropogenic Footprint in Outer Space: A Comprehensive Scientific Review.
Anthropogenic Footprint in Outer Space: A Comprehensive Scientific Review.
ISSI Scientific Report Series (Springer Nature). Open Access — freely readable and downloadable worldwide. Publication: 2028 (indicative).
The project is conducted within the framework of the ISSI Scientific Report Series, which publishes interdisciplinary syntheses produced by international teams convened by ISSI. The objective of the Working Group is to assemble a state-of-the-art scientific overview of the impacts of human activities beyond Earth, drawing on expertise from planetary science, astrophysics, exobiology, space history, philosophy, and computational modeling.
The resulting volume aims to provide:
The Working Group contributes to scientific understanding and interdisciplinary dialogue. It operates independently as a scientific initiative hosted by ISSI and does not represent a policy or advocacy position.
Further information and updates are available on the official official ISSI Working Group page
This website is provided for informational and non-commercial purposes only. All content is offered “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not collect personal data without your consent. External links are provided for convenience; we are not responsible for their content. All intellectual property rights remain with their respective holders. If you believe any content infringes your rights, please contact us at contact@cosmicfootprint.org . Use of this site implies your acceptance of these terms.
Preliminary works - Large Scale Space Ethics, 2022
The works which led to the development of the Cosmic Footprint Society grounds in the de facto working group on Large Scale Space Ethics ( https://www.spaceethics.org/ ), founded in 2022, leading to the ISSI Forum on Cosmic Footprint - January 2024 -, the conclusions of which included considerations towards the development of the current structure.
Legal anteriority - 18th of April 2024 RNA: n° W942012266
The non-profit was formally founded the 18th of April 2024, and legally registered on the 3rd of July 2024, with the french administration under RNA: n° W942012266, under the initial name “Cosmic Footprint Foundation”.
Current legal package - Adopted 25th of July 2025, under RNA: n° W942012266
A fine tuning of the legal structure has been cautiously worked on in 2024-2025, submitted for comments to interested parties in spring 2025, debated in online meetings, and adopted on the 25th of July 2025, renamed to Cosmic Footprint Society, and submitted to the French Administration on the 25th of September, 2025, under RNA: n° W942012266,
This legal documentation establishes the complete foundational framework of the Cosmic Footprint Society, ensuring full compliance with French Law (July 1, 1901 Association Law) and meeting the standards required for eventual recognition of "public interest" status and provisional eligibility for "public utility" in France. The documentation has also been carefully structured to align with international standards, specifically aiming to satisfy the expectations of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for consultative status and the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) for observer status.
The current legal pack has been designed to satisfy a variety of legal conditions:
The Society adopts the Nature Astronomy correspondence "A Call to Address Humanity’s Cosmic Footprint" as its founding manifesto, expressing the ethical, scientific, and governance principles underpinning its mission and activities.
Members are encouraged to regularly review and engage with this documentation , as it forms the living framework for the Society’s evolution. All members are granted editing rights for comments . The good practice is to comment rather than make inline edits, unless the suggested change is very minor - or orthographic/grammar. Suggestions or demands for changes, are to be processed differently depending upon their location:
The legal framework is organized into three primary documents, in a layered structure: Statutes > Bylaws > Guidelines, allowing for a robust and stable mission description, yet a highly flexible framework, designed to accommodate growth, resilience and adaptation.
Changes requested in the Statutes → Require Extraordinary General Assembly, with a ⅓ quorum and a reinforced 2/3 majority vote. Such assembly may be convened at any time by at least one-third (1/3) of the voting members acting collectively, or by the Board of Directors. Such Changes must be filed with the French prefecture;
Important note: the legal pack is conceived, discussed and adjusted by the community, with english as a working language. The statutes are mirrored in French and submitted in French to the authorities. The legally binding is the French version - Statutes (FR) .
Changes requested in Bylaws → Demands are processed by the Board of Directors which may adopt these with a simple majority, provided that all members are notified within 30 days, except provisions on governance, membership rights, or finances, which must be ratified by the General Assembly under its normal rules (15-day notice, quorum 1/3, adoption by simple majority).
Modifications of Internal Operating Guidelines → Demands are processed by the Board of Directors which may adopt these with a simple majority, provided that all members are notified within 30 days.
How to navigate in the legal package
The entire document pack uses cross-referenced chaptering for clarity across the Association’s legal framework: # refers to Statutes, B.# to Bylaws, and G.# to Internal Guidelines.”, R.# to role description, M.# to member list. For ease of maintenance and navigation, topics are covered across the structure with identical chaptering. (e.g., membership concerns are addressed in chapter 2 in Statutes, Bylaws and guidelines).
Tip: Using CRTL+F for navigating the structure through numbering or topics, works well.
The current pack is the product of the work realised by Clementine Bacri, supported by Charles Horikami, Adrien Normier, David Boulesteix, including comments from Claudius Gros, Asmaa Boujibar. The legal architecture is the result of the collaborative effort of: Clémentine Bacri, Charles Horikami, Adrien Normier, and Valentin Degrange.
Relevant Contemporary publications
This selection of publications is provided for their contemporary relevance to discussions concerning humanity’s footprint beyond Earth. The works listed are independent of the Cosmic Footprint Society, although some authors may also participate in its working groups. The list is not exhaustive and is intended as an entry point highlighting a range of perspectives. Readers are encouraged to consult the original sources and engage critically with the material.
Publications listed here are academic and peer-reviewed where available. In a limited number of cases, relevant coverage from news or journal outlets is included pending related academic publication.
Note: An alert system is planned to notify interested readers on a monthly basis of publications and developments related to the concept of a cosmic footprint. To express interest, fill out this form 🖋️ (1 min), select “other,” and write: “request for cosmic footprint alerts.”
To suggest a publication or development for inclusion, the same form may be used (select “other,” message: “proposed addition – publication/news”).