Sustainable Development of “The Fragile Frontier”

Paper number

IAC-06-D4.1.06

Author

Mr. Mark Williamson, International Space Review, United Kingdom

Year

2006

Abstract

With plans to return astronauts to the Moon, mankind appears to be embarking on a new phase of space exploration and development, hopefully one that will continue into the indefinite future.  This paper identifies three main aspects of this new era in space: scientific exploration, industrial development and space tourism.  The success of each of these aspects requires sustainability, which means that the familiar ‘one-off missions’ must be consigned to history.  The paper expands upon the requirement for sustainability in each case.

Although one of the most obvious solutions to sustainability in space is the development of the requisite infrastructure - including vehicles, transport nodes and bases – the need for an organised, and broadly agreed, strategy is perhaps less well accepted.  A strategy or policy of sustainability is unlikely to emerge automatically as a by-product of further exploration or development, largely because of financial and political pressures, and a concerted effort to develop a strategy will be required.

Moreover, it is unwise - if not impossible - to divorce exploration and development from environmental considerations.  This has been proved here on Earth, as concern for the environment has evolved from the complaints of much-derided ‘lobby groups’ to the realm of international conferences and regulations.  Among other things, this has led to a widely recognised language of ‘sustainability’ and ‘environment-friendliness’ and the institutions of environmental impact statements, environment protection, SSSIs, world heritage sites, and so on.

This paper argues that the concept and culture of environmental sustainability is directly transferable to the space environment and should be a prerequisite for future space exploration and development as part of a long term, sustainable strategy.  The extension of the issue of space debris in Earth orbit to the orbital environment of the Moon and Mars is a prime example, especially with reference to the possibility of self-supporting colonies.  Protection of the space environment is not an option in a sustainable strategy: it is a central theme.

Abstract document

IAC-06-D4.1.06.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-D4.1.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.