A SPACE PROGRAM WORTH UNDERTAKING

Becoming a space-faring civilization is not going to be easy. There will be plenty of trial and error, lots of opportunities for mistakes, dead ends, and the like. Nor will it be rapid. The first decade of human space exploration kicked off with Yuri Gagarin’s single orbit and concluded with humans walking on the Moon. 

It is unlikely that the development of space-based manufacturing will follow such a meteoric growth, but that is fine because we are not talking about merely planting flags on other worlds and bringing back a few specimens. Instead, the aim is to profoundly alter the current paradigm of space exploration in which off-world activities appear only in the realms of basic science, technology applications, and support of prospective future missions to the Moon and Mars. In the new paradigm, space is a potentially that supports our stewardship of Earth and its unique biosphere.

In developing space infrastructures, we are still at the preliminary planning phase. We have an idea of what we want but have only sketches to help us get started. That is why my previous posts highlighted some of the main roadblocks to be addressed but didn’t specify which mining methodology should be used first, or which zero-g manufacturing process should be trialed first, or what the first space factory should be designed to produce.

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We are accustomed to fast-paced innovation reaching our households in the form of consumer technology such as smartphones, autos, computers, and the like. But the same rapidity of innovation and obtaining favorable results will not characterize the establishment of a space-based manufacturing industry. As the engineers of the First Industrial Revolution had to battle mechanical failures, structural collapses, blowing up of pressure vessels, and the like, so we must recognize that there will be failures and we shall have to endure these setbacks with perseverance and tenacity. This will be particularly difficult when lives are lost.

A common objection presented against colonizing space is that we should resolve all the problems we have on Earth before spending resources on a boon-doggle in the sky. The answer is simple. By the time we have achieved such a noble intent, it might be too late for the environment and society. If we do not exploit the resources which await us in space, the chances are that we become trapped on an inhospitable Earth. Our current civilization would certainly not survive and our species might even go extinct. 

Source: The Legacy of Hard Science Fiction

We have to start thinking in terms of a vision for a better future, to continuously remind ourselves that – just like the inhabitants of Easter Island – Earth is the only hospitable island that can keep humankind alive. Indeed, as far as we know it is the only planet in the Universe to have such a diverse biosphere. We protect artifacts that we consider to be worthy of preservation for future generations, and we have a similar obligation to safeguard our planet and everything that is on it. A great many talented people are working to make our home in the Solar System a better place. Let us safeguard the future of our planet and our species with a space program that is worth undertaking! 

The true inspiration for space exploration is to take better care of our fragile planet. Let us build a space program for the benefit of humankind and our home planet. 

As Always, Thanks for Reading;)

References:

O’Neill, G. K. (1978). The High Frontier: Human Colonies in Space. Bantam Books. 

Davide Sivolella (2019) Space Mining and Manufacturing. Springer Books.