Why Space?

There’s a big discussion happening about whether we should spend money on space projects, whether from government funds or private investors. As of April 2024, the top 10 richest people in the world have a combined net worth of over $1.5 trillion. Of these individuals, two stand prominent in leading the charge in space investment: Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. While it’s hard to find exactly how much they’ve personally invested into their respective companies, SpaceX and Blue Origin, it’s clear they’re devoting a lot of their time and resources to these projects.

‘Why invest in space exploration when there are pressing issues at home?’ This question often arises, with many arguing that resources should be directed towards solving domestic problems. There’s no denying that there are environmental and humanitarian issues on Earth that urgently need attention. Surprisingly, many solutions may lie further than we think, possibly even 238,900 miles away from home.

Looking to Space for Sustainability

A significant challenge for Earth is the scarcity of sustainable energy and the necessity to explore alternative sources. While we have several solutions available domestically, such as wind, bioenergy, and hydro energy, we can also turn our gaze towards space for potential alternatives.

While Earth benefits from a protective magnetic field, the Moon lacks this shield, leaving it vulnerable to solar wind. As a result, certain areas of the Moon’s surface accumulate significant amounts of Helium-3. Scientists propose that by combining Helium-3 with Deuterium (a stable isotope of hydrogen) in a safe nuclear fusion process that produces minimal waste, it could offer a promising source of clean energy.

There are also discussions about space-based solar power, where satellites equipped with solar panels gather strong and continuous solar radiation. They achieve this by reflecting large amounts of sunlight onto smaller solar collectors using massive mirrors. 

This collected energy could be transmitted wirelessly to Earth in a safe and controlled manner, either as a microwave or laser beam. With the groundwork for distributing solar power already established on Earth, the opportunity to develop space-based solar power is within reach. 

As new developments and ideas emerge, they bring both goals and opposition. This endeavor would be costly and substantial, presenting numerous challenges to tackle. Some argue it’s not practical, citing the longstanding discussion about space-based solar panels with minimal progress.

Despite the high costs associated with these alternative energy sources, the commercialization of the industry demonstrates that private funding can sustain such expensive projects, particularly as launch costs decrease.

Astronaut Nicole Stott, who holds a deep passion for the subject, points out that $200 billion was earmarked for the 2022 World Cup, with an estimated $500 billion set aside for the 2025 Olympic Winter Games in Saudi Arabia. Given these figures, one might consider allocating a fraction of these funds towards launching solar panels into space to fulfill our alternative energy needs on Earth.

Continuing to Develop Technologies

We need innovation not just to tackle existing problems, but also to address new challenges that arise. Constantly evolving technologies play a crucial role in enhancing our readiness for unforeseen hurdles.

As we saw during the Covid pandemic, there was an outsized role for space based on past investments in the industry. We moved to all remote connections and communications, we relied on GPS to deliver goods and services, and there was the emergence of telemedicine and distant education. 

Space economist expert Kevin O’Connell emphasizes the importance of continued investment in space. He underscores that it’s essential not only for addressing anticipated needs but also for meeting unforeseen challenges.

As many different industries are beginning to rely more heavily on technology, such as agriculture, health, and education, for example, space is going to be a big dependent factor for this development. O’Connell states, “We are in a Transition right now: starting to recognize that space is perhaps one of, if not the, platform through which we are going to really drive many of the innovations that we both need and expect in the next couple of decades” 

Furthermore, space technology, particularly satellites, holds immense promise for addressing environmental concerns. Satellites can aid in monitoring global warming and rising sea levels by providing accurate data and imagery for scientists to analyze. They can be instrumental in identifying and tracking poachers, helping to protect endangered wildlife populations. Satellites equipped with advanced sensors can monitor changes in land use and vegetation, aiding in environmental conservation efforts. 

By leveraging space technology, we can better understand and combat environmental challenges, safeguarding our planet for future generations.

Continuing Humanity’s Need for Curiosity 

Throughout human history, our gaze has often turned upwards, filled with awe, wonder, and curiosity. This curiosity is evident in the works of ancient Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, who pondered celestial mysteries centuries ago, as well as in the inquiries of figures such as Newton in the 1700s, who sought to unravel the secrets of astronomy. The early 1900s witnessed the emergence of individuals like Wernher von Braun, driven by a fervent desire to propel objects into space, culminating in the historic launch of Sputnik and igniting the Space Race. Today, our curiosity remains undiminished, urging us to continually expand upon our existing knowledge of space.

Space exploration not only piques our curiosity but also offers practical solutions. It has unraveled mysteries like the mechanics of tides and facilitated the development of time systems linked to the sun’s orbit. Moreover, it has enabled us to deploy communication satellites, revolutionizing global connectivity and navigation capabilities.

In the 1960s and 70s, we achieved the remarkable feat of landing on the Moon. Instead of resting on our laurels and declaring ‘mission accomplished,’ let’s ask: ‘What’s next?’