session 2

Title

Space Expectations: How the Public Views Space Activities

type

oral

Description

Space activities have historically been based upon technological successes with science and exploration leading space activities toward major projects throughout the solar system. However, periodic disconnects have occurred as the public used to seeing major successes suddenly sees failures and begins to question the value and cost of space initiatives. An IAA-sponsored study to determine the depth of understanding and backing of space activities by the general public (in particularly young people) was recently completed. Following on from a similar session at the 59th IAC in Glasgow, this session will relate to the study and thus invites papers which review and describe society’s expectations from space programmes, ascertain how society – particularly youth - could become more involved in space exploration, and indicate how space activities could maintain the interest and excitement of tomorrow’s youth and thus be supported (both financially and intellectually) by the public.

Date

2009-10-14

Time

15:00

Room

Technical Session #12

IPC members

• Chairman: Dr. Peter Swan, Space Elevator Development Corporation, United States;

• Chairman: Dr. David Raitt, The Netherlands;

• Rapporteur: Dr. Cathy Swan, SouthWest Analytic Network, United States;