Abstract.The prioritization and improvement of ethics, planetary protection, and safety standards in the astro-sciences is the most critical priority as our scientific and exploratory capabilities progress, both within government agencies and the private sector. These priorities lie in the belief that every single science mission -crewed or non-crewed, ground-based or not -should heed strict ethical and safety standards starting at the very beginning of a mission. Given the inevitability of the private sector in influencing future crewed missions both in and beyond low-Earth orbit, it is essential to the science community to agree on universal standards of safety, mission assurance, planetary protection, and especially anti-colonization. These issues will impact all areas of space science. Examples that are particularly relevant to the Astro2020 Decadal Survey include but are not limited to: light pollution from satellites, the voices and rights of Native people when constructing telescopes on their lands, and the need to be cognizant of contamination when searching for and exploring habitable environments beyond Earth. The existence of oversight bodies to enforce planetary protection and communication between public, private, and academia is necessary for this proposal. Delegation of power and strict communication standards not only to protect the lives of the explorers, but protect the environments of wherever humanity decides to venture. Opening up the multidisciplinary approach of space exploration to international law and governance regarding planetary protection, safety, mission assurance, and creating comprehensive and ethical standards across all space faring institutions is needed for the future of space exploration. Agreement and enforcement by the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the cooperation of participating governments will also prove critical in regulating and improving standards for future science missions. Ultimately, moving international space law and domestic space policy from a reactive nature to a proactive one will ensure the future of space exploration is one that is safe, transparent, and anti-imperialist. The prioritization of safety, planetary protection, and ethical practices of space exploration and its subsets is heavily dependent on a clear, progressive, and precautionary approach to international and domestic space law.

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