Introduction to Leela Fredlund
Leela Fredlund, a senior majoring in political science and physics, has always been intrigued by fundamental questions of political philosophy and ethics. She has explored these topics in ancient Greek texts, classroom recitations, and debates with friends. However, for Fredlund, the best venue for examining these classic problems is space.
Exploring the Intersection of Astronomy and Political Science
Fredlund realized that she could raise interesting questions at the intersection of astronomy and political science. Through undergraduate projects at MIT and institutions like NASA, she has focused on how governments are shaping humanity’s expanding ventures off-planet. "Do we believe governments have our best interests at heart?" she asks. "Space feels like a very obvious frontier to test that question."
Ethics Rules
When Fredlund arrived at MIT, she had already decided to double major in science and philosophy. She was interested in thinking through her own political beliefs and was worried that she wouldn’t have a forum for discussions at a STEM school like MIT. In Concourse, a first-year learning community, she found a base. The community required a course called Becoming Human: Ancient Greek Perspectives on the Good Life, where she studied ancient Greek political philosophy through ethics texts by Aristotle and Plato.
Shifting Moral Code
Becoming Human proved pivotal to Fredlund’s academic evolution. She signed up as a teaching assistant for the class and found a close mentor in its instructor, Senior Lecturer Linda R. Rabieh. By her first-year spring, Fredlund knew she would major in political science. She believed that the department would offer a community that cared about ethical questions and would challenge her beliefs. Firmly rooted in political science, Fredlund sought a path to marry it with her other major, physics.
Space Policy and Tourism
The answer emerged in her sophomore year, in class 17.801 (Political Science Scope and Methods). Fredlund began to dig into questions related to space policy, space tourism, and exploitation of resources on other planets. Her year-long project for 17.801, a 600-participant survey experiment, probed public perspectives on space development, especially attitudes toward government versus private initiatives. The study yielded novel findings, including a preference for NASA collaborations with friendly nations rather than private companies.
Making Mars Accessible
Fredlund found the ethical problems entailed in space development fascinating. To solidify her technical understanding, she took astronomy and astrophysics classes and landed internships relevant to her interests. Over summer 2022, she worked at NASA researching facilities needed to receive Mars samples after the mission’s planned return to Earth in the 2030s. Fredlund confronted big questions, such as who legally owns the samples retrieved from Mars.
International Space Law
Last summer and during her senior year, Fredlund interned for the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, researching issues of accessibility in the space sector. She sought out promising new technologies that might permit physically and mentally disabled persons to participate in the space sector. Fredlund’s post-MIT plans are rapidly falling into place. She aims to earn a master’s degree in astronomy or astrophysics and then attend Harvard Law School.
Conclusion
Fredlund’s goal is to ensure that the space sector remains a place for fair and truly cooperative ventures. She imagines herself at the United Nations or NASA, interpreting international law and prioritizing science in international collaborations. "The space sector is developing so quickly, I’m not entirely sure what the big questions will be six years from now," says Fredlund. "There is a lot of uncertainty, and I think uncertainty is exciting." With her unique blend of political science and physics, Fredlund is poised to make a significant impact in the field of space policy and international law.
