Can’t all space nerds get along?

[kdavis007]

Can’t all space nerds get along?<br />by Michael Huang<br />Monday, July 30, 2007<br /><br />Observers of space politics have identified three interest groups in the civil space sector: government-funded scientific robots/machines, government-funded human spaceflight, and private space industry. They have been called the Sagan, Von Braun, and O’Neill models respectively. Each group argues against the others in an attempt to establish itself as the dominant paradigm.<br /><br />The question is whether these conflicts are at all necessary. Even the names of these interest groups are not as clear-cut as they might seem. Sagan advocated colonization as well as robotic exploration in his book Pale Blue Dot, von Braun was instrumental in both the first American satellite and the first American astronaut, and O’Neill supported both governmental and private approaches to colonization. They arguably have more similarities than differences. Their respective organizations—Planetary Society, National Space Society (and Mars Society), and Space Frontier Foundation—have different priorities but share many common interests.<br /><br />Looking at the positive and promotional side of these interest groups, they could be summarized as pro-science, pro-human, and pro-private. There is nothing inconsistent with holding all three positions. One can simultaneously support scientific unmanned programs, human spaceflight programs, and space tourism ventures without any contradictions. It is a non-zero-sum game, where all three can make progress at the same time. An example of this would be an expanding space tourism industry happening at the same time as an increase in the total NASA budget (including both human and robotic programs).<br /><br />Zero-sum games also exist in space politics. Pro-science vs. anti-science, pro-human vs. anti-human, and pro-private vs. anti-private are debates where gains by one side equal losses by the other. As a participant in the human spaceflight debate, m

 

[j05h]

The only viewpoint that creates a zero-sum game is being anti-space. There is a lot of work to be done before humanity can really be called "spacefaring". Accomplishing that Promethean task is more than enough work for Humanity and the rest of the biosphere.<br /><br />Julian Simon coined a phrase that perfectly describes the unlimited resources of space: cornocopian. He was describing free market innovation, but the same can be used for Earth's potential benefits from space development. Look how much we have benefited from communication and remote sensing satelites. They are wonderful in their own right, yet nothing compared to the physical and energy resources ahead.<br /><br />Getting along is something we should all work harder at - both online and offline. As Mr. Huang points out the dichotomy approach ("vs.") is counterproductive in such a small community. Are we "space geeks" pro-space or what? <br /><br />I can't advocate for any space group, but joint missions/activities seem like a good idea. One of the best examples of this could be the Planetary Society and it's many different cooperative space missions, from the unsuccessful Mars Balloon and "Snake" sensor to the solar sail and MER rover discs now on Mars. Full disclosure: I'm a long-time member of the Planetary Society. ISDC was consponsored by PS and NSS in 2006, not sure about in '07. The Mars Society and NASA have always cooperated on the various MARS test stations, especially at Haughton Crater. More cooperation can only be a good thing. <br /><br /> Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[tomnackid]

It SHOULD be obvious that throughout human history anything of value has been a collaboration of government, corporate and private interests. Yet how many "libertarians" hop in thier cars and drive over public roads to complain about how they doen't want to pay any taxes? How many "progressives" want to divide up the pie evenly without realizing that you better have some people in the kitchen making more pie?

 

[kdavis007]

That is true.. You have too factor one thing in.. Both sides of the political spectrum always complain about something<br />

 

[no_way]

Can't all space nerds get along ?<br /><br />Short answer:<br />no<br /><br />Long answer:<br />"One can simultaneously support scientific unmanned programs, human spaceflight programs, and space tourism ventures without any contradictions." <br />That would only become possible if these respective ventures would stop throwing monkey wrenches into works of others. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be happening.<br />