Molly K. Macauley

Washington University in St. Louis, University of Chicago

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About

Molly K. Macauley was a pioneering economist whose work fundamentally shaped the intersection of space policy, environmental regulation, and resource economics. Her research focused on the economic dimensions of space activities, particularly the challenges of managing orbital debris, planetary protection, and the risks associated with human spaceflight. Macauley’s major contributions include developing frameworks for valuing environmental externalities in space, such as the costs of contamination and collision risks, and advocating for market-based mechanisms to govern space resources. Her most cited work, “Environmentally Sustainable Human Space Activities” (2007, 10 citations), explored the tension between planetary protection and exploration, while “Flying in the Face of Uncertainty” (2006, 3 citations) analyzed human risk in space missions. As a senior fellow at Resources for the Future, she brought rigorous economic analysis to NASA and international space agencies, influencing policies on debris mitigation and lunar governance. Her legacy endures in the growing field of space economics, where her insights remain critical for sustainable exploration.