Why We Need a “Space for Peace” Pledge in Amateur Space Tech
By Harri Laitinen
The tools to access space are no longer locked behind military doors or billion-dollar aerospace firms. Today, with platforms like icMercury, students, hobbyists, and small teams can design, build, and launch their own satellites. That’s a victory for access. For equity. For imagination.
But with this freedom comes a harder question:
What are we putting into space? And why?
At Interstellar Communication Holdings Inc., we believe it’s time for the amateur satellite community to consider something deeper than specs and signal bands. We believe we need a “Space for Peace” pledge—a commitment to ensure that the low-orbit future we’re helping shape remains peaceful, collaborative, and beneficial to humanity.
Because the frontier is open. But the stakes are growing.
The Rise of the Citizen Satellite Era
PocketQubes, CubeSats, and SDR-based ground stations have made it possible for almost anyone to participate in space. That’s exciting—and we’re proud to be part of that revolution.
But in this rush of creativity, it’s easy to overlook the ethical layer: What messages are we broadcasting? What behaviors are we normalizing? What responsibilities do we carry as we climb into orbit, one small payload at a time?
We’ve seen payloads that promote science, art, and connection. We’ve also seen proposals that blur lines—military-style tracking systems, encrypted signal tests, and payloads with unclear purposes.
So… how do we draw the line?
Why a Peace Pledge Matters
A "Space for Peace" pledge wouldn’t be about restriction. It would be about intention.
Here’s what it could include:
No Weaponization: Amateur satellites will not carry, simulate, or support weapons of any kind—directly or indirectly.
Transparency: Payload objectives will be clearly declared and publicly accessible.
Non-Interference: Satellites will not jam, interfere with, or disrupt other space assets.
Open Communication: Wherever possible, satellites will use open-source protocols and accessible frequencies.
Global Respect: No payloads will carry messages that threaten, divide, or provoke harm—nationally or culturally.
Environmental Responsibility: Every mission should consider debris mitigation and orbital sustainability.
Educational and Humanitarian Focus: Prioritize missions that elevate human understanding, inclusion, and peaceful collaboration.
In essence: If you’re going to space—go with care.
The Symbolic Weight of a Small Satellite
A PocketQube may be small. But its impact is symbolic. It tells the world who space is for—and what we believe it should be used for.
If we flood orbit with noise, ego, and edge cases that skate near harm… we lose the very openness we’re trying to protect.
But if we elevate missions that promote peace, that broadcast hope, that teach, that share—we reshape space as a shared cultural achievement, not just a technical one.
What Comes Next
At Interstellar Communication Holdings Inc., we’re beginning to work with partners, schools, and citizen developers on a draft pledge—something simple, meaningful, and voluntary.
We don’t want a gate.
We want a guiding star.
And as we head to the 2025 Go Global Awards in London this November, we’ll be sharing this vision—not just as a company, but as a community of makers who care about what we launch, not just how we launch it.
Because the space we build today will shape the sky we share tomorrow. Let’s make sure it’s peaceful. On purpose.
