Colonisation of Space or War ? “Show us the jobs, save the planet and win the election!!!” the economic, environmental and political imperative to marketing the space industry through a Martian Analog in Central Australia

Paper number

IAC-17,D4,2,10,x38788

Author

Mrs. Jannene Kyytsonen, Australia

Year

2017

Abstract

A major problem facing mankind and its growing population into the future is the sustainable meeting of needs given that the Earth is of finite resources. It is my contention that an inability to sustainably manage those resources, and inequality caused by the complexity of competing interests for them, is leading us to expansion or war. As happened with the Industrial Revolution and the migration of populations seeking relief from the stresses it caused, the current stresses of technological changes and climate change impacts will result in a migration to space. 
Seeing is believing, and, many in the general public need to experience a physical cognitive process to understand what a future in space may be like. 
The centre of Australia is a unique physical environment with it’s terrain which is similar to Mars (P.Rey,2013. Uni Sydney), and so, it can provide a place where a Living Lab Martian Habitat and Aerospace Hub could play an invaluable part in the visualisation of space colonisation. The township of Coober Pedy already lives mostly underground, and that habitat can be expanded to incorporate tourism, education and research facilities which can also easily access the nearby Woomera aerospace site. This simulation of a Martian Colony can provide an experience which can be shared and discussed on social media, and so gain cultural acceptance. It will gain even better acceptance if the resilience strategies employed by space explorers provide dual solutions for the resilience of people here recovering from the impacts of climate events.
Common Problems which can be addressed are; i) water for drinking, aquaculture and energy, ii) air quality & regeneration , iii) food & resource management and recycling iv)                            health- space health challenges parallel ageing in terms of problems in bone density,   blood and cerebrospinal fluid circulation, eye disorders, radiation exposure and cancer, and mental disorders, v) adaptation and learning in a new and/or changing environment, vi)                                                                                                   interaction of man and machine and artificial intelligence, vii) an economy with full employment and fair distribution of resources.
A simulated Martian colony in Australia can provide a place where innovation is fostered, and security can be strengthened through collaboration which unlocks the imagination of students and the general public alike.

Abstract document

IAC-17,D4,2,10,x38788.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-17,D4,2,10,x38788.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.