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

We are already there; and you are already using it more than you realize. Space related business is BIG Business (and growing).“in 2002 there was $95 Billion in economic (Space related) activity”

Communications like the Internet/Long Distance PhoneXM Satellite Radio (Sirius), Direct TV, GPS, Transport Tracking, OnStarEarth Surveillance/Observation/WeatherSciences, Astronomy/Exploration/Life Science ExperimentsMilitary Command/Control/Communications/ Intelligence/ Other….

The Space Foundation reported at the 2014 Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, that the global space economy grew 4% in 2013 to $314.17 Billion.

$117.49 Billion for Commercial space infrastructure$ 74.1 Billion by Governments (55.7% US)$ 16.865 Billion for NASA AWST, 5/26/14, pg 13

 

Six Nation Level entities are launching satellites. (USA, Russia, Japan, Europe, China, India) 

Commercial / Civilian Space Business GrowthCurrent Entrepreneurs (Start Up & Enabling Activities)

Space X Sierra Nevada BigelowDynetics XCOR Virgin GalacticSpace Adventures NASTAR Center Aurora AerospaceBoeing (CTS-100) Orbital Sciences Corp. NASA COTS, CCS DevGoogle 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) (live in space, (“Zero G” environment, permanent presence)Space Based Solar Power (SBSP or SSP) – Plentiful Energy for Future Generations

New Materials Sciences (building new structures, with new materials)In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). New Raw Materials, Energy, and Fuels. 3D Additive Manufacturing

Why Go into Space ? Part 1

S. Akerley 2011 / 2014

Why Go into Space ? Part 2

Explore, Thrive, Survive Exploration –

Provides a Survival Advantage via Situation Awareness and Presence.Improved problem solving in every day life with expanded perspective.Exposes where new/additional resources are available.Enables new science to answer old and new questions.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.

New Materials Sciences (building new structures, with new materials)In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). New Raw Materials, Energy, and Fuels

.It Is Our Future – Where Civilization Can Expand - Other Subjects of Potential Interest

As the Earth gets over crowded, and resources more scarce and expensive, space is our OPPORTUNITY Back to the Moon - Lunar Mining, and Bases of Operation (Expanding Infrastructure Approach)Space Settlement & Station Designs Other Destinations with Resources – Mars and the Asteroids

Elon Musk, CEO, of SpaceX, has a goal to take humans to Mars and establish a settlement there.

S. Akerley 2011 -2014