Small Outer Space Communities: Lessons Learned at Auroville
- Paper number
IAC-14,A1,P,4,x21253
- Author
Mr. Cameron Ashkar, The Global Alliance for Outer Space Development, Inc., United States
- Author
Prof. Edythe Weeks, Interstellar Travel Meetup, Webster University Worldwide, Washington University and Northern Arizona University, Outer Space Education Alliance L.L.P., United States
- Year
2014
- Abstract
With space mining industries forming, we should prepare for the social and behavioral aspects of living and working in outer space communities. It is inevitable that humankind will eventually build up the space infrastructure including space habits and other living communities. This paper presents insights and lessons learned from observations made at Auroville, a sustainable community. It focuses on social, ethical and cultural sensitivities with an eye towards applying these insights to enhance peaceful relations between the inhabitants of future space stations, habitats, settlements and colonies. It also addresses the issue of knowledge about aspects of human life which will need to be adjusted to suit the purpose of people living and working in outer space. This paper allows the session participants to imagine applying lessons learned from observing Auroville to day to day life in an outer space community. It is important that each person experiences happiness, joy, pleasure, peace, fulfillment, excitement and motivation during long term stays in outer space communities with other people. Crew members can also be trained to develop new abilities or enhanced abilities to persevere and to cope to improve behavioral health, social skills, interpersonal skills, coping mechanisms, mistrust and other social and behavioral issues that may arise while living for extended periods of time in outer space societies. For example, intercultural competence is a concept typically defined as involving the ability to understand, gage and make sure not to violate the norms, rules of behavior, and values of people from distinctly different backgrounds. We examine several factors which might help to create a more ideal type quality of life and existence. This will include themes such as diversity, international relations, human rights, intercultural competencies, identity development models and interpersonal relations. A key assumption is that by factoring in these types of considerations we can encourage a wider range of people to enjoy equal participation in all aspects of life away from Earth. We aim to help humankind plan in advance ways to ensure an ideal type quality of life in an outer space community. We argue that, in addition to complying with the Outer Space Treaty requirements of equality this will also increase opportunities for sustained peace and cooperation.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-14,A1,P,4,x21253.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.