Abstract
I believe that most coevals of my generation, the so-called ‘baby-boom’ generation, living as teenagers in the 1960s, have imaginedthat at the dawn of the 21st century we were witnessing a very lively space flight era, with manned space stations and humancolonies on the Moon and even on Mars. Every teenager at that time, witnessing the ‘live transmission’ of men walking onthe Moon, has certainly dreamed of this possibility, and Kubrik’s and Arthur Clarke’s 2001 – A Space Odyssey (produced in 1968)represented the incarnation of this hopeful future. But later, in the 1990s, as mature adults, the idea came to those mindsthat the Earth seemed to have stood still – at least with regard to space activities. What happened?
Highlights
Ibelieve that most coevals of my generation, the so-called ‘baby-boom’ generation, living as teenagers in the 1960s, have imagined that at the dawn of the 21st century we were witnessing a very lively space flight era, with manned space stations and human colonies on the Moon and even on Mars
There were many reasons for the twilight of space activities observed after this date, among them we can mention the onset of the worldwide economic crisis triggered by the ‘oil crisis’ of 1972, diminishing space budgets, the gradual innovation process, technological barriers, the end of the Cold War, and perhaps the most important one – the absence of market forces
In the same publication we have demonstrated that, after the 1990s, we are witnessing a shy rebirth of space-related activities, with characteristics very different from that imagined by futurists active in the 1960s and 1970s. What means this recovery? Are we witnessing the burgeoning of a new space race?
Summary
Ibelieve that most coevals of my generation, the so-called ‘baby-boom’ generation, living as teenagers in the 1960s, have imagined that at the dawn of the 21st century we were witnessing a very lively space flight era, with manned space stations and human colonies on the Moon and even on Mars. The exciting news for space enthusiasts is that the space sector is experiencing nowadays important changes with two major characteristics: firstly a transition from an exclusively government-led to a new market-oriented space exploration activity, where private enterprises are increasingly involved, and secondly the participation of several nations struggling for a place in the new space scenario, leaving behind the old fashioned one leaded by incumbent world powers that dominated this field in past decades.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
