Sustaining Space Exploration over the Long Term

Paper number

IAC-06-E3.1.B.03

Author

Mr. Ian Pryke, George Mason University, United States

Coauthor

Ms. Peggy Finarelli, George Mason University, United States

Year

2006

Abstract

The exploration of space is an essentially open-ended endeavor.  While it is being implemented, the political systems of the nations involved will undergo numerous changes, with new governments coming to power with agendas that are not necessarily aligned with those they replace.  If exploration is to weather such political transitions a strong base of support must developed and continuously promoted. 

In August of this year, George Mason University’s Center for Aerospace Policy Research organized and hosted a Workshop entitled "Building and Maintaining the Constituency for Long-Term Space Exploration", to address this topic. It was co-sponsored by a number of international and professional organizations, and was supported by generous grants from Northrop Grumman and Boeing. The Workshop provided an opportunity to investigate the sustainability of space exploration from a variety of perspectives. Experts from different professional fields, different countries and cultures looked at outreach techniques and messages suitable for building and maintaining constituencies for space exploration. 

During the Workshop two Working Groups addressed the same overall topic.  The first Working Group ("Veterans") was made up of individuals who have spent a significant part of their careers in the space field or other appropriate professions.  The second Working Group was recruited from the ranks of the "Space Generation," individuals who are in the early stages of their careers.  Through this approach we hoped to ascertain any differences in reactions and approaches to the issues under consideration. The output from the two Working Groups was then reviewed, compared and discussed by all Workshop participants.

The current paper assesses the differing perspectives of the "Veterans" and the "Space Generation" and summarizes the principal conclusions and recommendations from the Workshop.  

Abstract document

IAC-06-E3.1.B.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-E3.1.B.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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