Science, technology and imaginable social and behavioral impacts as outer space develops
- Paper number
IAC-14,D4,2,9,x20875
- 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
- Coauthor
Mr. Ayodele Faiyetole, EarthSpace Organization and Innovations to Society nonprofit, Nigeria
- Year
2014
- Abstract
The main body of international law governing outer space, the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, requires that all people benefit from space activities and it mandates equality and sharing of outer space resources for all people from all nations. Yet, only a few experts have the knowledge and information regarding colonization of the final frontier. The space community is eager to engage and involve the global community in the development of outer space. However, people do not seem to have the information needed to make them care about the development of outer space. Most people still seem to view space travel, asteroid mining and other space activities as exotic and far out. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to discuss a unique pedagogical approach to help mend the knowledge gaps and to suggest the possibility of preventing inequality gaps from emerging as outer space is developed. To achieve equality in outer space for future generations, we must begin formulating a contagious desire for knowledge and a universal consciousness regarding newly emerging trends. We are suggesting that more students, at all levels, be introduced to space studies as part of their overall required curriculum. We are further suggesting that all people in all nations be exposed to the knowledge and information concerning the development of outer space. The emerging phenomena include private space travel, asteroid mining, building architecture and infrastructure, interstellar travel, and space life support systems for off Earth habitation. Right now, people have the power to engage themselves in meaningful ways to all the new industries that will need their necessary support. People can learn and enhance their knowledge to forge ahead in this industry by implementing their relevant skill-sets. In particular, young people and students can learn just about anything if provided the access to free and affordable information. Thus this paper suggests that a wide range of K-12 students, university students, scholars and everyday people be exposed to information in this regard. However, currently there is a tendency to expose an exclusive science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students in a few countries, to space studies themes. Keywords: Outer space development; Second wave of outer space development; New space race; Equality and diversity of opportunity; Social and intellectual justice; science, technology, engineering and mathematics studies (STEMs) fields.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)