Introduction

Abstract

Patterns in societal energy use enable forecasts of the times of future events associated with important human exploration and technology programs. Discovered in 1989, the 56 year energy cycle has previously been linked with many technological, economic, and social parameters. A review of the last 200 years reveals that major human explorations (e.g. polar expeditions), macro-engineering projects (e.g. Panama Canal), and large wars (e.g. World War I) cluster together in time near energy cycle peaks approximately every 56 years. The energy cycle and several other indicators suggest that large-scale human operations in space will begin to appear around 2015. They should culminate in a space spectacular near 2025. Another window of opportunity for space exploration will not open until late in the twenty-first century.