Space Is the One Place We Still Solve Problems Together: A Conversation with Tony Silberfeld

As humanity prepares to return to the Moon and set its sights on Mars, questions once confined to science fiction are rapidly becoming matters of public policy. Who will govern space? Can nations cooperate beyond Earth when they struggle to do so on Earth? And what lessons from history should guide humanity’s expansion into the cosmos?

These questions lie at the heart of Astropolitics, a documentary produced by the Bertelsmann Foundation and Gauge Theory Creative. Through historians, policymakers, scientists, military experts, and industry leaders, the film explores a rapidly emerging reality: as humanity reaches farther into space, it may also carry with it the same geopolitical tensions, ambitions, and rivalries that have shaped life on Earth for centuries.

Yet Astropolitics is not a story of inevitable conflict. It is also a story of possibility. The documentary asks whether space can become a new arena for international cooperation rather than competition, and whether humanity can learn from its past before establishing its future beyond Earth.

Following a recent screening of the film, I spoke with Tony Silberfeld, Director for Transatlantic Relations at the Bertelsmann Foundation North America (BFNA), the Washington-based arm of the German Bertelsmann Foundation, about the origins of the documentary, the growing importance of space policy, and why he remains cautiously optimistic about humanity's next frontier.

Q: What inspired the creation of Astropolitics?

Tony Silverfeld: At the Bertelsmann Foundation, one of our main priorities is education. We focus on major issues that we believe people should better understand, whether that’s democracy, technology, or geopolitics.

The astropolitics topic emerged because of the political environment we are living in today. Space is one of the few areas where people from very different political backgrounds still talk to one another. Republicans and Democrats, adversaries from different countries; many of them continue to engage on space-related issues.

We wanted to understand why that is and explore what it might mean for the future.

Q: Why is the question of conflict in space becoming more relevant today?

Tony Silberfeld: Because we’re already there.

If you look at conflicts on Earth, whether it’s the United States and China, Russia and Ukraine, or tensions in the Middle East, space assets increasingly play a role. Satellites support communications, intelligence gathering, navigation, and military operations.

But we are also seeing competition directly in space itself. In low-Earth orbit, countries are already engaging in activities such as signal jamming and other forms of strategic competition.

We need to start thinking seriously about what conflict in space might look like, primarily so that we can avoid it.

Q: Many people compare today’s space race to the Cold War. How is it different?

Tony Silberfeld: The biggest difference is the private sector.

During the Cold War, space exploration was primarily governments competing against one another. Today, private companies are driving enormous innovation.

SpaceX is the most obvious example, but there are many others. These companies can take risks that governments often cannot. They have dramatically lowered launch costs and accelerated technological development.

The second difference is the number of participants. It’s no longer just two superpowers. We have Europe, India, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, China, and many others investing heavily in space. It’s a much more crowded and dynamic environment.

Q: Was there a moment during the making of the documentary that particularly stayed with you?

Tony Silberfeld: One of the most surprising moments happened in the Basque Country, where we interviewed someone building a replica of the San Juan, one of the first Spanish galleons to successfully travel to the New World and return.

We thought we were hearing a story about maritime history. Instead, he compared San Juan to reusable rockets.

He explained that earlier ships often deteriorated so badly during their voyages that they had to be rebuilt before returning home. The San Juan changed that dynamic. In his view, reusable rockets are doing something very similar today.

Standing in a fishing village and suddenly hearing a connection between sixteenth-century exploration and modern spaceflight was completely unexpected.

Q: What lessons can policymakers learn from international cooperation in space?

Tony Silberfeld: The importance of continuing to talk to one another.

Many of the challenges we face, where environmental issues on Earth of questions related to space, are shared problems. The only way we solve them is through cooperation.

One of the most remarkable examples is the International Space Station. Despite the war in Ukraine, American and Russian astronauts continue to work together in orbit.

That demonstrates something important: it is possible to set aside earthly conflicts in pursuit of larger goals.

Q: Does that give you hope?

Tony Silberfeld: It does.

In many ways, space is one of the last places where countries still solve problems together.

Maybe there’s something we can learn from that.

Q: What do you hope viewers take away from Astropolitics?

Tony Silberfeld: First, I hope people become more aware of what’s happening above their heads.

Most people look up and see stars. But there’s much more going on.

Second, I hope the film gives people a reason to be optimistic. We live in a time when many people feel pessimistic about the future. Space cooperation offers a reminder that collaboration is still possible.

The future of humanity beyond Earth is an opportunity to imagine something better.

Rapid Fire Most underrated achievement in space history? The James Webb Space Telescope. Why? Because it’s helping us understand things far beyond our planet that most people don’t think about every day. And the images are absolutely mind-blowing. If someone offered you a seat on spacecraft tomorrow, would you go? Absolutely not. Why not? First, I am terrified of heights. Second, I don’t think the science is there yet.

Editor's Note: At the time of this interview, Astropolitics had recently been acquired by PBS and was expected to air in the United States during the Summer or early Fall of 2026, before becoming available through the Bertelsmann Foundation's documentary platform.

Learn more: Astropolitics and the work of the Bertelsmann Foundation North America can be explored through BFNA.org

Header Photo Credit: © Bertelsmann Foundation Documentary Films