Where no planetary protection policy has gone before

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
James S.J. Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Long Range ◽  
Moral Consideration ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
Extraterrestrial Life ◽  
Planetary Protection ◽  
Protection Policy ◽  
Space Environments

AbstractI argue that the attempts of astrobiologists and philosophers to provide an ethical justification for planetary protection policies (in particular, those aspects of policy concerning forward contamination) suffer from a ‘life bias’ in that reasons for protection are regarded as genuinely ethical only when they include some kind of direct moral consideration for extraterrestrial life. There are, I maintain, good reasons for the protection of space environments, including the protection of sites of interest to disciplines other than astrobiology. These reasons are no less ethical simply because their aim is something other than the protection of extraterrestrial life. While the possible existence of such reasons has been recognized, they have yet to be developed in a philosophically satisfying way. This paper aims to fill this lacuna by motivating and articulating an ethical perspective which recommends broader protection of the space environment. Long-range implications for such a broadening of planetary protection are considered, including implications for interstellar exploration.

The Value of Science in Space Exploration

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
James S.J. Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Social Philosophy ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Extraterrestrial Life ◽  
Planetary Protection ◽  
New Knowledge ◽  
Space Settlement

The Value of Science in Space Exploration provides a rigorous assessment of the value of scientific knowledge and understanding in the context of contemporary space exploration. It argues that traditional spaceflight rationales are deficient, and that the strongest defense of spaceflight comes from its potential to produce intrinsically and instrumentally valuable knowledge and understanding. It engages with contemporary epistemology to articulate an account of the intrinsic value of scientific knowledge and understanding. It also parleys with recent work in science policy and social philosophy of science to characterize the instrumental value of scientific research, identifying space research as an effective generator of new knowledge and understanding. These values found an ethical obligation to engage in scientific examination of the space environment. This obligation has important implications for major space policy discussions, including debates surrounding planetary protection policies, space resource exploitation, and human space settlement. Whereas planetary protection policies are currently employed to prevent biological contamination only of sites of interest in the search for extraterrestrial life, it contends that all sites of interest to space science ought to be protected. Meanwhile, space resource exploitation and human space settlement would result in extensive disruption or destruction of pristine space environments. The overall ethical value of these environments in the production of new knowledge and understanding is greater than their value as commercial or real commodities, and thus, exploitation and settlement of space should be avoided until the scientific community adequately understands these environments.

The Scope and Justification of Planetary Protection

2020 ◽  
pp. 122-154
Author(s):  
James S.J. Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
Space Science ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Planetary Protection ◽  
Microbial Life ◽  
Space Environments

This chapter argues that the scope of planetary protection policies should be expanded to include all potential sites of interest to space science. It begins by providing an overview of planetary protection policies and their history. This is followed by discussions of Charles Cockell’s views on the ethics of microbial life, Holmes Rolston’s views on the preservation of natural value in the solar system, and Tony Milligan’s views on respecting natural integrity in space. It argues that each view unnecessarily understates the scope of science’s interest in the protection of space environments. Since every space environment is virtually unexplored, as a precautionary default it should be assumed that a space environment is of interest to science (and thus worth protecting) until otherwise proven.

Epilogue

2020 ◽  
pp. 206-210
Author(s):  
James S.J. Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Space Environment ◽  
Opportunity Costs ◽  
Scientific Exploration ◽  
The Future ◽  
Future Value ◽  
Human Habitation ◽  
A Priority ◽  
Space Environments ◽  
The Cost

This concluding chapter argues that scientific exploration of the space environment should remain a priority even if space settlements are established, and even if technological breakthroughs decrease the cost of spaceflight enough to increase spaceflight activities by orders of magnitude. It addresses the enduring need to engage in scientific examination in order to establish the viability of space environments for human habitation. It also reaffirms the value of scientific exploration, knowledge, and understanding—which will only become more significant in space societies, if they are ever established. The Epilogue concludes by addressing the possible development of revolutionary technologies, the opportunity costs associated with prioritizing scientific exploration, and the future value of scientific exploration, knowledge, and understanding in space.

End of Life and Beginning of Life Thermal Analysis of a Micro Satellite

2015 ◽  
Vol 798 ◽  
pp. 551-555
Author(s):  
Mustafa Turkmenoglu
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Analysis ◽  
Thermal Degradation ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Satellite Orbit ◽  
Thermal Control ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Bottom Surface ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Space Environments

Satellites with passive thermal control system use thermal coatings, secondary and first surface mirrors and paints to maintain the temperatures of their electronic equipment within operating temperatures. Satellite coatings are exposed to harsh space environments like ultraviolet radiation (UV) and atomic oxygen (AO) that cause thermal degradation. As nature of the space environment, degradation of the surface paints and coatings cause increase in temperatures of the equipment in time. Thermal designer must consider the thermal degradation of the coatings and paints and optimize the radiator sizes of the satellite at Beginning of Life (BOL) and End of Life (EOL) of the satellite in order to maintain the temperatures of equipment within their safe operation limits. For this analysis, a micro-class satellite using passive thermal control with surface paints and interface conductance within each equipment has been studied. The satellite top surface (+Z) faces the earth and bottom surface (-Z) faces deep space. The lateral sides of the satellite are covered with honeycomb solar panels and top and bottom surfaces are covered with white paint which act as satellite radiator. The satellite orbit has been considered as 700 km Sun-Synchronous Low Earth Orbit. In this analysis BOL and EOL thermo optical properties have been used to predict the satellite temperatures before and after degradation of paints. Thermal analysis have been performed and predicted temperatures obtained by using THERMICA thermal analysis software.

Performance of Elastomeric Silicones in Ablative and Space Environments

1966 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1247-1257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clyde L. Whipple ◽  
John A. Thorne
Keyword(s):  
High Vacuum ◽  
Thermal Control ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Environmental Extremes ◽  
Temperature Ranges ◽  
Space Environments ◽  
Thermal Control Coatings

Abstract Elastomeric silicones are among the best materials available for many ablative and space applications. In ablative applications, these materials protect launching equipment, safeguard various parts of vehicles and spacecraft during flight, and shield re-entering spacecraft. Generally, elastomeric silicones are used where ablative conditions involve low to moderate heat fluxes and shear forces. Ablative characteristics of materials can vary widely depending on polymer type, fillers, and applications techniques, and no one elastomeric silicone will perform in a wide range of ablative missions. A good knowledge of the ablative characteristics of silicone materials is required to select the best candidates for a given application. In the space environment, silicones are often used for seals, thermal control coatings, potting materials, and other applications because they perform well over wide temperature ranges, and because they are inherently stable to high-vacuum and ultraviolet conditions. Data given in this paper illustrate that silicones show little weight loss or loss of properties on exposure to space environmental extremes. Furthermore, these losses can be made almost negligible by proper conditioning of the finished elastomer.

scholarly journals Low-latency teleoperations, planetary protection, and astrobiology

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark L. Lupisella ◽  
Margaret S. Race
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Surface Science ◽  
Time Delays ◽  
Low Latency ◽  
Real Time Control ◽  
Extraterrestrial Life ◽  
Planetary Protection ◽  
International Treaty ◽  
Time Control ◽  
Human Exploration

AbstractThe remote operation of an asset with time-delays short enough to allow for ‘real-time’ or near real-time control – often referred to as low-latency teleoperations (LLT) – has important potential to address planetary protection concerns and to enhance astrobiology exploration. Not only can LLT assist with the search for extraterrestrial life and help mitigate planetary protection concerns as required by international treaty, but it can also aid in the real-time exploration of hazardous areas, robotically manipulate samples in real-time, and engage in precise measurements and experiments without the presence of crew in the immediate area. Furthermore, LLT can be particularly effective for studying ‘Special Regions’ – areas of astrobiological interest that might be adversely affected by forward contamination from humans or spacecraft contaminants during activities on Mars. LLT can also aid human exploration by addressing concerns about backward contamination that could impact mission details for returning Martian samples and crew back to Earth.This paper provides an overview of LLT operational considerations and findings from recent NASA analyses and workshops related to planetary protection and human missions beyond Earth orbit. The paper focuses primarily on three interrelated areas of Mars operations that are particularly relevant to the planetary protection and the search for life: Mars orbit-to-surface LLT activities; Crew-on-surface and drilling LLT; and Mars surface science laboratory LLT. The paper also discusses several additional mission implementation considerations and closes with information on key knowledge gaps identified as necessary for the advance of LLT for planetary protection and astrobiology purposes on future human missions to Mars.

scholarly journals A Case of Incest in a Malaysian Child: The Ethical and Legal Implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-105
Author(s):  
Nur Jannah Abdul Ghani ◽  
Siti Aqilah Muhamad ◽  
Nur’amahirah Hasan Zaki ◽  
Mohd Assyakir Shamsuddin ◽  
Fahisham Taib
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
Rehabilitation Process ◽  
Protection Policy ◽  
Legal Implications ◽  
The World ◽  
Child Protection Policy

Serious crimes, especially child sexual abuse and rape have become one of the most unsettling issues all over the world. Survivors of these ordeals are facing and suffering from traumatic life experiences. We illustrated a case of a 13-year-old girl who was involved in an incestuous relationship and the challenges from the ethical perspective of a professional. It is essential that healthcare professionals be equipped with awareness on the legal impact of such case – related to child protection policy, child rehabilitation process and the penal code related to such event.

scholarly journals The Role of Terrestrial and Space Environments in Launch Vehicle Development

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale L. Johnson ◽  
William W. Vaughan
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Application ◽  
Space Vehicle ◽  
Launch Vehicle ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Terrestrial Environment ◽  
Aerospace Vehicles ◽  
Vehicle Development ◽  
Design Requirements ◽  
Space Environments

Natural (Terrestrial & Space) Environment (NE) phenomena play a significant role in the design and flight of aerospace vehicles and in the integrity of the associated aerospace systems and structures. Natural environmental design criteria guidelines described here are based on measurements and modeling of atmospheric and climatic phenomena relative to various aerospace vehicle development and mission/operational procedures, and for vehicle launch locations. Both the terrestrial environment (0-90 km altitude) and the space environment (Earth orbital altitudes) parameters and their engineering application philosophy are given with emphasis on launch vehicle-affected terrestrial environment elements. This paper also addresses the basis for the NE guidelines presented, the interpretation of the guidelines, and application to the development of launch or space vehicle design requirements. This paper represents the first of three on this subject.

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