Unlocking the Potential of Space: Why We Should Explore Beyond Earth
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Presentation Transcript
Why Go into Space ? • I was asked by a student once, “Why Go Into Space ? What is it good for ?” • There are many reasons, some not so obvious. • There are short answers and long answers. First the short ones. • Military High Ground • Large and Valuable Business Enterprises • New Business Opportunity • Explore, Thrive, Survive • Knowledge & Understanding • Expansive and Plentiful Resources • It Is Our Future S. Akerley 2011
Why Go into Space ? Part 1 • We are already there; and you are already using it more than you realize. • Space related business is BIG Business ($50 to $100 Billion/ year and growing). • “in 2002 there was $95 Billion in economic (Space related) activity” • Communications like the Internet/Long Distance Phone • XM Satellite Radio (Sirius), Direct TV, GPS, Transport Tracking, OnStar • Earth Surveillance/Observation/Weather • Sciences, Astronomy/Exploration/Life Science Experiments • Military Command/Control/Communications/ Intelligence/ Other…. • Six (6) Nations are currently launching satellites. (USA, Russia, Japan, Europe, China, India) • Current Entrepreneurs (Start Up & Enabling activities) • Space X Sierra Nevada Bigelow • Dynetics XCOR Virgin Galactic • Space Adventures NASTAR Center Aurora Aerospace • Boeing (CTS-100) Orbital Sciences Corp. NASA COTS, CCS Dev • Google Lunar X Prize (29 Teams competing to land a rover on the moon $30M prize) • New Businesses (Opportunities) • National Laboratory on the International Space station. • Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences (in “Zero G” environment) • Life Sciences (live in space, permanent presence) • Space Based Solar Power (SBSP or SSP) – Plentiful Energy for Future Generations S. Akerley 2011
Why Go into Space ? Part 2 • Explore, Thrive, Survive • Exploration – • Provides a survival advantage via Situation Awareness • Enables new science to answer old and new questions • Improved problem solving in every day life • Exposes where new/additional resources are available. • It is a part of our inquisitive human nature to do so, • We usually find it interesting, exciting, fun. • Helps us understand the world around us.. • Civilizations Historical Directive (Be Successful and Thrive or else…) • Expansion & Growth (good), or Contraction (bad). • “Settlement Imperative” • Status Quo is not steady state (temporary condition) • Planetary Defense and Survival of life as we know it. • More than1000 NEO’s, big enough to make serious trouble for civilization. • ISRU – Fuels and construction materials for new habitats in space. • Materials Sciences (building new structures, with new materials) • In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). New Raw Materials, Energy, and Fuels • . • It’s the Future - Other Subjects of Potential Interest • As the Earth gets over crowded, and resources more scarce and expensive, space is OPPORTUNITY • Back to the Moon - Lunar Mining, and Bases of Operation (Infrastructure Approach) • Space Settlement /Station Designs Other Destinations – Mars and the Asteroids S. Akerley 2011