The Potential of Education and Media as Instruments for Planetary Protection

Paper number

IAC-08.E3.4.4

Author

Ms. Annelie Schoenmaker, European Space Agency (ESA), France

Year

2008

Abstract

Promoting the protection of planetary environments from human contamination in the perspective of the envisaged extensive exploration of Moon, Mars and beyond by several nations of the world, is the subject of a new IAA Cosmic Study. One of the aspects covered in this study is the role of Education and Media as a potential instrument for planetary protection, and the steps that can be taken in this field to raise awareness among the public. This paper will present the first findings on this topic.
Education and media are tools that are widely used in space faring nations to raise awareness, enthusiasm and pride amongst the citizens. It is however also used to justify space activities and their cost. Whereas the most visible missions, like the Space Shuttle, the International Space Station and Mars exploration missions, benefit of a wide media coverage, issues such as planetary protection are mostly kept silent when speaking of Moon and Mars exploration. This issue is however likely to interest a large fringe of the population if the parallel can be made between environmental issues on Earth and on other celestial bodies. Considering the exponential growth of States’ space activities, the issue of planetary protection should be included in the concept of sustainable development and this would be most effectively done by communicating with active organizations outside the space community. 
Education and media are tightly linked methods for raising awareness, and most often education uses the media for passing its messages. Media is however not the only way of educating, and many different means can be used. For education to work and to be relevant, it should be targeted at a specific age group or “interest group”. For example, including space environment in ecology lectures in the classroom, setting the Earth as a “spaceship”, not fundamentally different to the other planets in the solar system. Another means could be to use the natural parks concept by introducing the thought that natural parks could be created on the Moon to protect the environment and the human legacies, such as Buzz Aldrin’s footprint.

Abstract document

IAC-08.E3.4.4.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.E3.4.4.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.