Space activities are having, and above all will have in the future, a deep impact on human society in different ways.
From an economic viewpoint, space is already essential in some business sectors like telecommunications. In a longer term only space exploitation will allow humankind to overcome the limitations to its development linked with the finiteness of resources of our planet. Exploitation of extraterrestrial resources (the so-called space option) is the only way to increase the standard of living of the less developed countries without limiting the development perspectives of those who are already in a better situation.
Space exploration and exploitation require a general technological advancement, producing a fall-out on other human activities. While this is well known, the reverse process (a technological transfer to the space sector from other industries in which the much larger scale of production allows to distribute research cost on a larger number of products) is at least potentially very important.
It must be realized that even today the costs of a space mission (even a major one) is not much higher than the cost of other projects like building a motorway or a railway. The more so if carried on with the economic criteria of private enterprises. To this effect, the role of privates in space exploitation and to an extent also exploration, must be increased.
From a scientific viewpoint, space exploration has already changed our views of the Universe in general and of the solar system in particular. Beyond astronomy, all sciences are benefiting from the new possibilities opened by the use of space as a laboratory.
From a human viewpoint, the challenge of space exploration is giving inspiration and motivation to many, particularly young people. Space exploration is a powerful mean for promoting scientific and technological culture, which is essential in our society, both for general reasons (fighting against irrationalism and fundamentalism, assessing correctly, also at a political level, the advantages and potential dangers of technology, …) and for preparing new generations of professionals and technicians.
To be significant from the human viewpoint, space must not be just a lab or a place where to locate devices like telecommunications satellites, but slowly become an “ocean” to be crossed towards destinations which are not just scientific outposts but actual places where humans can live and work, enjoy their life and create their culture.
In the long term humankind will become a spacefaring civilization – at least if it aims to survive. The point is whether our generation will be able to seriously undertake this task making the first steps (exploring the solar system, starting outposts on the Moon and Mars,..) or it will fail, leaving this task to future generations or civilizations.
Prof.
Giancarlo
Genta
Professor
Politecnico di Torino
http://www.giancarlogenta.it
Professional Category:
Engineering
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