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.

Rationales for Space Exploration

2020 ◽  
pp. 11-46
Author(s):  
James S.J. Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Public Opinion ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
General Public ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
The United States ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Extraterrestrial Life ◽  
Space Settlement

This chapter considers and rejects traditional spaceflight rationales, accenting the insubstantial evidence that is usually offered in their support. It uses regression analyses and public opinion data to show that spaceflight activities do not have a clear impact on either STEM degree conferral rates or overall scientific literacy within the United States. Next, it uses public opinion data to show that the general public is not especially interested in astrobiology or in the scientific search for extraterrestrial life. It also uses genetics and anthropological research to show that there is no innate human biological compulsion to explore space. Finally, it describes and criticizes the “space frontier” metaphor as well as basic arguments for space resource exploitation and space settlement.

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.

scholarly journals Interactions between global processes and local health problems. A human ecology approach to health among indigenous groups in the Amazon

2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (suppl) ◽  
pp. S115-S126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maj-Lis Follér
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Human Ecology ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Methodological Issues ◽  
Social Legitimacy ◽  
Indigenous Groups ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approaches ◽  
New Knowledge

This article deals with methodological issues and how to link global processes - social and ecological - with environmental changes and human health in local communities. The discussion concerns how interdisciplinary approaches can help us find tools to develop new knowledge. Scientific knowledge and local knowledge are not seen as opposite epistemological forms, but as socially and culturally constructed. Power and social legitimacy have to be included when analyzing how to deal with the interaction between global processes and local environmental change and the health/disease interface.

scholarly journals Remote Laser Induced Fluorescence of Soils and Rocks

Photonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 411
Author(s):  
Vasily N. Lednev ◽  
Alexey F. Bunkin ◽  
Sergey M. Pershin ◽  
Mikhail Ya. Grishin ◽  
Diana G. Artemova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Spectroscopy ◽  
Fluorescence Spectra ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Laser Induced Fluorescence ◽  
Excitation Wavelength ◽  
Extraterrestrial Life ◽  
Future Space ◽  
Lidar Sensing ◽  
First Time ◽  
Different Soils

The laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy was systematically utilized for remote sensing of different soils and rocks for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. Laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy measurements were carried out by the developed nanosecond LIDAR instrument with variable excitation wavelength (355, 532 and 1064 nm). LIDAR sensing of different Brazil soil samples have been carried out in order to construct a spectral database. The laser induced fluorescence spectra interpretation for different samples has been discussed in detail. The perspectives of LIDAR sensing of organic samples deposited at soils and rock have been discussed including future space exploration missions in the search for extraterrestrial life.

Does extraterrestrial life have intrinsic value? An exploration in responsibility ethics

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 304-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ted Peters
Keyword(s):  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Naturalistic Fallacy ◽  
Moral Norm ◽  
Extraterrestrial Life ◽  
Responsibility Ethics ◽  
The Universe ◽  
Ethical Quandary

AbstractIf space explorers discover a biosphere supporting life on an off-Earth body, should they treat that life as possessing intrinsic value? This is an ethical quandary leading to a further question: how do we ground a universal moral norm to which the astroethicist can appeal? This article closely analyses various forms of responsibility ethics and finds them weak because they commit the naturalistic fallacy – that is, they ask nature to definethe good. The good, however, is self-defining and not derivable from nature. Even so, a revised responsibility ethic could ground its universal norms on the fact that life and only life can experience and appreciate the good. Conclusion: living creatures possess intrinsic value both on Earth and elsewhere in the Universe.

scholarly journals The Voices of Local NGOs in Climate Change Issues: Examples from Climate Vulnerable Nations

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 63-80
Author(s):  
Ian M McGregor ◽  
Hilary Yerbury ◽  
Ahmed Shahid
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Knowledge Creation ◽  
Knowledge Brokering ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Small Countries ◽  
New Knowledge ◽  
Nationally Determined Contributions

The contributions of small local non-government organisations (NGOs) in countries at risk from climate change to knowledge creation and action on climate change are rarely considered. This study sought to remedy this by focusing on NGOs in member countries of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF). Analysing data from Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), NGO websites and email correspondence with NGO staff through a knowledge brokering typology, this study examines the ways in which local NGOs in five members of the CVF (Afghanistan, Bhutan, Kiribati, Nepal and Tuvalu) take action, generate new knowledge and understandings and contribute to the plans and actions of their government and the international community. The study found that local NGOs are involved in the creation of new knowledge both at the scientific and community level and engage in actions to support adaptation to climate change. However, there are differences in the approaches they take when making contributions to scientific knowledge and climate change debates. The findings of this study suggest the need to reconceptualise the role of local NGOs in small countries at risk from climate change.

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 Use of Photobioreactors in Regenerative Life Support Systems for Human Space Exploration

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Fahrion ◽  
Felice Mastroleo ◽  
Claude-Gilles Dussap ◽  
Natalie Leys
Keyword(s):  
Life Support ◽  
Waste Treatment ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Life Support Systems ◽  
Microgravity Conditions ◽  
Human Space Exploration

There are still many challenges to overcome for human space exploration beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) (e.g., to the Moon) and for long-term missions (e.g., to Mars). One of the biggest problems is the reliable air, water and food supply for the crew. Bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) aim to overcome these challenges using bioreactors for waste treatment, air and water revitalization as well as food production. In this review we focus on the microbial photosynthetic bioprocess and photobioreactors in space, which allow removal of toxic carbon dioxide (CO2) and production of oxygen (O2) and edible biomass. This paper gives an overview of the conducted space experiments in LEO with photobioreactors and the precursor work (on ground and in space) for BLSS projects over the last 30 years. We discuss the different hardware approaches as well as the organisms tested for these bioreactors. Even though a lot of experiments showed successful biological air revitalization on ground, the transfer to the space environment is far from trivial. For example, gas-liquid transfer phenomena are different under microgravity conditions which inevitably can affect the cultivation process and the oxygen production. In this review, we also highlight the missing expertise in this research field to pave the way for future space photobioreactor development and we point to future experiments needed to master the challenge of a fully functional BLSS.

scholarly journals Pharmaceutical Solutions for Deep Space Travel and Colonization: Background, Challenges, and Possibilities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Jabara
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Health ◽  
Space Exploration ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Space Travel ◽  
Deep Space ◽  
Deep Space Exploration ◽  
Space Programs ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health

Manned missions to Mars and other deep space exploration targets are expected to take place in the next 20 years. These missions will involve prolonged crew exposure to the unique space environment, increasing the risk that astronauts will experience additional physical and psychological health conditions beyond those that would be expected through normal aging on Earth. Thus, there is an acute need to develop therapeutic solutions that can withstand the harsh space environment, while maintaining astronaut health and maximizing crew capabilities to foster successful exploration-class missions. This review covers the nuanced and interdisciplinary challenge that is providing safe and effective pharmaceuticals for future deep space missions. First, the limitations of current pharmaceutical solutions are discussed; the impacts of the space environment on human health and chemical compound stability are covered, along with an evaluation of astronaut medication use on similar missions. Second, potential pharmaceutical solutions and concepts are presented for consideration. Future research should prioritize these and other potential innovations to ensure that our space programs are well equipped to maximize crew safety as astronauts explore deep space objectives.

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