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Why Go into Space ?

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

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Why Go into Space ?

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  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

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