Benefits from out of this world

Abstract

This paper examines: (a) useful attributes of space; (b) progress in space technology, past and projected; and (c) benefits to be obtained from missions encompassing the LEO, GEO and lunar domains. In recent times, the attempt to explore space has been accelerated, not because it is there, but because its potential is needed. Today's man finds that potential to be most enticing and fortunate, as the leaders in space industry give it a little thought, for it makes the extra-terrestrial world theirs (space industry's) to develop, to utilize, and to commercialize. Also, from the standpoint of the average man, such efforts amount to taking a big leap forward in time, because it is essentially the road into the 3-dimensional civilization in which Earth becomes the center of a vast and growing sphere of human activity encompassing surrounding space and other worlds. Given such mission goals and domains, the scope and intent of this paper assumes a far greater degree of importance in that it brings to focus a legacy of aspirations, challenges, and an expanding list of benefits from man's own initiatives in space technology design, development, integration, and deployment.