Looking Back, Looking Forward and Aiming Higher: The Next Generation’s visions of the Next 50 years in Space
- Paper number
IAC-08.E1.3.101
- Author
Ms. Bijal Thakore, Space Generation Advisory Council, United Kingdom
- Year
2008
- Abstract
This paper outlines the contributions of students and young space professionals on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the first artificial satellite and the 40th anniversary of the Outer Space Treaty. The contribution has been coordinated by the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) in support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications. It follows consultation of the SGAC community through a series of meetings, online discussions and online surveys. The first two online surveys collected over 750 different visions from the international community, totaling approximately 276 youth from over 28 countries and builds on previous SGAC policy contributions. A summary of these results was presented as the top 10 visions of today’s youth as an invited input to world space leaders gathered at the Symposium on "The future of space exploration: Solutions to earthly problems" held in Boston, USA from April 12-14 2007 and at the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in May 2007. These key visions suggested the enhancement for humanity’s reach beyond this planet – both physically and intellectual. These key visions were themed into three main categories: • Improvement of Human Survival Probability – sustained exploration to become a multi- planet species, humans to Mars, new treaty structures to ensure a secure space environment, etc • Improvement of Human Quality of Life and the Environment – new political systems or astrocracy, benefits of tele-medicine, tele-education, and commercialization of space, new energy and resources: space solar power, etc. • Improvement of Human Knowledge and Understanding – complete survey of extinct and extant life forms, use of space data for advanced environmental monitoring, etc. This paper summarizes the outcomes from a further online survey and represent key recommendations given by international youth advocates on further steps that could be taken by space agencies and organizations to make the top 10 visions a reality. In turn the online discussions that are used to engage the youth audience are recorded and help to reflect the confidence of the younger generation in these visions. The categories listed above would also be investigated further from the technology, policy and ethical aspects. Recent activities in development to further disseminate the necessary connections between using of space technology for solving global challenges would also be discussed.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.E1.3.101.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.