Space Technology and the Developing World

Paper number

IAC-13,E5,3,10,x17310

Author

Mr. Lisandro Martinez, Asociación Argentina de Tecnologia Espacial, Argentina

Author

Mr. Julio Aprea, European Space Agency (ESA), France

Year

2013

Abstract

Space technology development is usually associated to the more developed nations; these have the economical and infrastructural resources to develop costly missions covering a broad spectrum of objectives (telecommunications, Earth observation, space transportation, etc). Investing in the development of the aerospace sector usually spins-off an important number of technical and economic resources benefitting a country’s economy and population.  The objective of this paper is to focus on these benefits and study the positive effects that the space sector has in developing countries. 

Emergent nations can benefit largely from the development of science and technology pushed by the space sector activities, especially in areas like communications, remote sensing, navigation and earth observation. In addition to this, the cascade effect induced by the space sector technology growth can have a positive impact in the evolution of areas like agriculture, medicine, education and disaster relief just to name a few.  This paper will analyze if developing nations should focus in the creation of a strong space sector, inducing at the same time, a technical and educational development in other areas.

The idea behind this paper is to investigate the direct and indirect effects of space technology development in countries economic expansion by analyzing current projects and space technology business development.  By researching current literature, analyzing ongoing projects and interviewing space sector representatives, we intend to create a roadmap for space technology development in emerging nations. The purpose of this paper is to encourage emerging countries to dedicate resources into the space sector in order to influence other areas and finally create a positive impact in the country’s economy and education.

Abstract document

IAC-13,E5,3,10,x17310.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

(absent)