Claire A. Nelson

from Human Futures Magazine Aug 2022

Ralph Mercer

WHAT WILL THE FUTURE OF SPACE EXPLORATION HOLD?

By Claire A. Nelson

HUMAN exploration of space will increase exponentially over the next two decades. This is due, in part, to how private interest in space exploration has increased, thanks to the number of companies and missions launched since the turn of this century.

Another important aspect is the increased involvement of national space agencies in space exploration. It has expanded beyond the competition between two superpowers (USA and Russia) and now we see rather much more competitive/cooperative efforts involving six major agencies - the United States, the European Union, Russia, China, Japan, and India - as well several smaller agencies -the UAE, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand for example, working alongside more and more commercial interests. Space is hot! It is where it is at. And with good reason. Much if not all the data we need to run our lives is based on our access to information and communication technologies that depend on our application of space.

Things will advance further by the middle of the century. There will be an increase in the number of countries that join the “space club.” Beyond the BIG SIX, emerging space agencies are also planning to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030, and crewed missions to Mars will be launched in the late 2030s according to current plans. Commercial organizations are planning to establish a long-term presence and seek a wide range of novel space-related business opportunities.

All in all, it feels like a gold rush. Like a repeat of the European colonial expansion launched by Christopher Columbus and his three ships. But is this what we want? Do we want to build our exploration of and expansion into the cosmos with the same belief systems and behaviors. We had not done so well in how we are sharing Planet Earth, what is your take on our future in space? How will we share space? Your feedback is required.

PLEASE RANK THESE STATEMENTS AS: -1= DON’T AGREE; 0= NEUTRAL; 1 = AGREE.

1In 2035, the US (NASA) and the Artemis alliance comes to contention with the Russian (ROSCOSMOS)/China (CNSA) initiative, International Lunar Research Station, and a nuclear exchange of hostilities takes place in space.