International cooperation and strategy towards the development of space aid for energy
- Paper number
IAC-05-E5.P.02
- Author
Mr. Alexandre Nicolas, Corona Space Surveillance Centre, Canada
- Coauthor
Ms. Daniela Quelhas, France
- Year
2005
- Abstract
Although scientific awareness of the impending energy crisis and related environmental impacts had begun emerging decades ago, worldwide political recognition of the real threat to our planet’s shared future was much slower to develop and take hold. In various stages of development, the prioritization of such issues always had to be balanced against competing economic and technology interests of countries around the world. It was not until the signing of the Kyoto Protocol, did governments finally come together. Acknowledging the global nature of the problem, they agreed to confront the problem together, for the benefit of the whole world and future generations, instead of focusing only on the interests of their own nations. Positioning energy, in the context of its environmental and economic impacts, on the forefront of individual national policies, allowed political support to be given to furthering advanced research and development activities regarding new and alternative sources. Space technology will be a key player in the 21st century and will certainly be used in many ways to aid the international community in solving the future energy shortage. Space can be used to: (1) enhance the capability to search for new sources of energy, (2) develop or improve the usage of the present sources and (3) develop new technologies that will replace the current fossil fuel based economy. With the international political changes and the governmental funds being more difficult to acquire, the space field is further aimed towards the citizen’s needs. One should not forget that the space agencies have the desire to increase the involvement of the private sector in space projects. Keeping that in mind and outlining the fact that energy is a global concern, involving the private sector and all the citizens, space agencies should take this opportunity to reveal the benefits of space technology in that area. International cooperation between space agencies should lead to the elaboration of a future plan that involves space technology and the development of space based projects that involve the private sector. Many initiatives have been taken to consider efficient ways to develop the nuclear power or to investigate the possibility of a future hydrogen economy, the same type of initiative should be taken up by the space sector. This momentum should be targeted by the international space community to develop a common strategy making sure that the space industry will have a slice of the pie. By entering the energy field, the space industry will diversify its applications. More important, is the exposure of space as a vital component in answering the needs of the 21st century society will insure the funding of space projects. Finally, the private sector will have been introduced to the potential of space and the means of using space in other fields will become easier. This paper will review and discuss policies and strategies that should be implemented in order to develop and insure that the space sector will not miss the opportunity of helping to solve the future energy problems.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-E5.P.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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