Nevertheless, most space science was, and continues to be, performed by robotic spacecraft in Earth orbit, in other locations from which they observe the universe, or on missions to various bodies in the solar system. Humanists thus often see their primary job, especially in interdisciplinary contexts, as arguing for the inclusion of diverse perspectives, especially unpopular ones. We are conducting a series of interviews with key experts in the space sector from policymakers to scientists, engineers, space company directors, First Nations astronomers, historians, and artists. By the early 1970s, orbiting communications and navigation satellites were in everyday use, and the Mariner spacecraft was orbiting and mapping the surface of Mars. Social sciences explore human behaviors at the individual to societal levels, looking for trends of behaviors and interactions that can be anticipated but not necessarily predicted. Yet there are no agreements of any kind in place to govern METI attempts, largely because the scientific community has sought, for political reasons, to distance itself from the UFO craze. Filling Spaceis a social enterprise that democratizes engagement with space. Her doctoral research examines inequalities of educational opportunities and outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa Prior to joining LSE, she worked as a researcher and evaluator in the fields of economics and education. We Astrobiology, Discovery, and Societal Impact. Discuss the breakthrough. Fortunately, the community of humanists both interested in and knowledgeable about these issues is growing rapidly, with a veritable explosion in research over the last 15 years (e.g., Cockell 2014; Schwartz 2020; Smith and Mariscal 2020). She got fascinated with the database and started to incorporate data systems into her personal art projects. But refusal to engage with the public on decisions with social import is not a viable long-term strategy (Smith 2017). To avoid system errors, if Chrome is your preferred browser, please update to the latest version of Chrome (81 or higher) or use an alternative browser. The Lenses Identified. On Oct. 4, 1957, the Soviets launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, into space. Second, for many humanistic questions, refusing to attempt a thoughtful answer is simply not a viable option. In the United States, early studies of the Sun were undertaken by a series of Orbiting Solar Observatory satellites (launched 196275) and the astronaut crews of the Skylab space station in 197374, using that facilitys Apollo Telescope Mount. This poses a real challenge, as the scientifically illiterate public often embraces unrealistic concerns and unscientific beliefs. Astrobiology and Society in Europe Today. Required fields are marked *. The Columbia disaster was the second shuttle tragedy. I think a fundamental challenge for the humanities and social sciences is to develop robust research to tackle a future that manifests as uncertain and contested, as shared on a planetary scale, and as increasingly off-Earth. Washington: National Academies Press. To learn more about the roles these disciplines can play, we spoke to Juan Francisco Salazar, a professor at Western Sydney Universitys School of Humanities & Communication Arts. Cultural imperialism and the ethics of active SETI. And both are committed to the idea of rational convergence, believing that when diverse experts share and debate their perspectives, they move closer to those truths. This means I intend to engage with a diverse spectrum of imaginaries of outer space that are produced in a range of different historical, political, and technological contexts. But establishing interdisciplinary connections requires effort, since humanists are often something of a mystery to scientists who lack easy opportunities to interact with themhumanists are creatures of academia and, even there, they inhabit different departments and colleges. To carry out the investigations required for addressing these scientific questions, the United States, Europe, the Soviet Union, and Japan developed a variety of space missions, often in a coordinated fashion. The space age is 62 years old if we calculate usingthe launch of Sputnik as the beginning point. Using the slide titled "Introduction," introduce your topic by identifying it and explaining why you chose to study it. If so, how should those settlements be constituted and governed? Space has had more tangible impacts on society. As in Earth-based research and development, responsible planning for missions to other worlds (especially crewed missions) must take account of social/environmental/ethical issues. 2018); the NASA (2015) Astrobiology Strategy includes a humanities and social science appendix; and a workshop and focus group drafted an (unofficial) societal impact roadmap for astrobiology (Race et al. Cockell C. 2014. The good news is that there is strong interest in social issues in the space sciences and there have been encouraging developments. This should change. It is partly set in April 2043. The social science lens looks at how humans act in their social environment. Subsequent space missions investigated Earths magnetosphere, the surrounding region of space in which the planets magnetic field exerts a controlling effect (see Earth: The magnetic field and magnetosphere). Consider this interaction between faculty in a humanities college and a vice president for research with a background in engineering. If you know your browser is up to date, you should check to ensure that A profile of humanity: The cultural signature of Earths inhabitants beyond the atmosphere. Jones JH. Avoid tokenism: The point of collaboration is not to involve humanists per se, but to involve them. Over a two-week mission, six experts worked and lived in an immersive, Mars-like environment, demonstrating the corporations drive to evolve its expertise and innovation to meet future needs. Your email address will not be published. Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence (METI). 570144272d5a%40sessionmgr102. Scientific paternalism and METI. As part of my research in Antarctica, I made an experimental documentary film titledNightfall on Gaia(93 min, 2015), which screened internationally at various important film festivals. Submission restricted before availability starts. Ethical discussion can certainly be frustrating, but ethical opinions shape everyones perceptions and actions in important ways. Dale, S. (2007). Mars is focal point of modern space exploration, and manned Mars exploration is a long-term goal of the. Be practical: Humanists need to adapt their arguments to the hard-nosed pragmatic concerns that space science cannot ignore, resisting the urge to indulge in the abstract theory their own disciplines often require. International Journal of Astrobiology 20(3):121. to get a better understanding of our present. Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena. But space science remains dominated by scientists and engineers. This volume is the response to that need. During Exploration Mission-1, Orion will venture thousands of miles beyond the Moon during an approximately three-week mission. Image above: Three crewmembers of mission STS-49 hold onto the 4.5 ton International Telecommunications Organization Satellite (INTELSAT) VI after a six- handed "capture" was made minutes earlier during the mission's third extravehicular activity (EVA). Have we found any signs of life? SpaceExploration andHistory Manned space flight began with Soviet cosmonautYuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961. Retrieved, Stenzel, Wendy (2017). NRC [National Research Council]. In 2020, I started a four-year Australian Research Council-funded project calledAustralia a Space Faring Nation:Imaginaries and Practices of Space Futures. Inclusivity means not just were allowed to be there but we are valued.. United States. We can observe and consider technology and society through several lenses like history, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. "Inclusivity means not just 'we're allowed to be there' but we are valued.". 2. more efficient advancements to explore space While researching I learned a lot about space exploration through multiple lenses. Smith KC, Abney K. 2019. A 1978 survey of faculty suggested the need for a single volume that united introductory material on the various social science disciplines and the classroom experience of faculty already teaching in the field. Your browser or your browser's settings are not supported. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I would like to know our plan for terraforming and colonizing Mars. The station is serviced by a variety of visiting spacecraft: the Russian Soyuz and Progress; the American Dragon and Cygnus; the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle; and formerly the Space Shuttle and the European Automated Transfer Vehicle. For example, an anthropologist has argued for considering the possibility that attempts to message alien worlds might be dangerous to the aliens (Traphagan 2017). During this war, allied forces were able to use their control of the high ground of space to achieve a decisive advantage. Consider the recent breakthrough in space exploration and discuss the breakthrough by analyzing it with the four lenses? Because scientists are far better resourced and positioned to advocate for change, I believe they need to lead the way. Aerospace supported two key NSSL missions within a span of a few days, successfully delivering the USSF-67 and the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) III-6 payloads to orbit. Social Science and Natural Science Lens view of space exploration in different, Social science views space exploration as a key to our human existence , and. NASA and its partners have sent orbiters, landers, and rovers, increasing our knowledge about the planet. social science and history lenses. Such concerns motivated the establishment of the Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) research program of the Human Genome Project, which encouraged humanists to think ahead to a future when genetic technology will be commonplace. If you were researching the Endeavour and Mae Jemison through the social science lens, you would think about how this topic relates to or has impacted culture, society and humanity. Follow this link to skip to the main content. To accept cookies, click continue. Subscribe In this discussion, you will think about space. I think it is critical to take Indigenous perspectives into account not only regarding consideration of outer space activities long-term sustainability but also regarding humanitys place in the cosmos. He is currently working on a project that studies how different visions and imaginaries of space futures are developing and affecting engagement with space. Dick S. 2018. Until recently, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) was limited to passive listening. An easy way to visualize this would be to think about it in terms of colors. Something that interests me is the world-making processes through which extreme frontiers are made habitable. (As someone who has spent years in the trenches fighting creationism, I share scientists frustration.) What I learned while exploring my topic through the social science lens is space exploration has contributed to cancer . Public perception of science should be a major consideration for all scientists, since science is a publicly funded enterprise. I have begun reflecting on what some anthropologists have called emerging extraterrestrial modes of thinking about Earth. On July 20, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong took one giant leap for mankind as he stepped onto the Moon. Social science views space exploration as a key to our human existence , and how it could affect our society if there is life out there in space. Space science added a new dimension to the quest for knowledge, complementing and extending what had been gained from centuries of theoretical speculations and ground-based observations. (n.).Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Social and Conceptual Issues in Astrobiology. They include Japan, China, Canada, India, and a number of European countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany, acting alone and through cooperative organizations, particularly the European Space Agency. Humanists can help identify the many complex trade-offs and their impacts ahead of time. 2012). [3] https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/asteroids-comets-and-meteors/ comets/oumuamua/in-depth/, [4] https://aas.org/posts/news/2019/11/library-congress-invites- applications-blumberg-astrobiology-chair, National Academy of Engineering 500 Fifth Street, NW | Washington, DC 20001 T. 202.334.3200 | F. 202.334.2290, Fall Issue of The Bridge on Space Exploration. Both lenses look at the contributions of people The humanities attempt to convey the human experience in many different forms and styles, recognizing that there is no singular condition or medium to convey that. Canadas shameful history of nutrition research on residential school children: The need for strong medical ethics in Aboriginal health research. d=288bf2ae-c2ca-4820-bba7-0de3bbf6288a%40sdc-v- In this discussion, you will think about space exploration through the four lenses. Exploration shapes world views and changes cultures in unexpected ways, and so does lack of exploration. From left to right: Mission Specialists(MS) Richard J. Hieb, Thomas D. Akers, and Pierre J. Thuot. Space exploration can be viewed as the quintessential achievement of technological and scientific modernity. We often comprehend it with conceptual frameworks with which we are more comfortable. However, planning is underway for more systematic, and thus potentially more problematic, attempts. In an interview with Filling Space, he talks about how social science structures will help shape what humanities future looks like beyond our atmosphere. The contributions of the SHAPE disciplines are myriad and evident in understanding the design, efficacy, and scope of the Mars Perseverance Rover mission. To get the best experience possible, please download a compatible browser. Cross). out of our planets resources. By considering the ways in which people conceptualize extreme Earth ecologies as analogs for other planetary worlds, I have discovered an interest in tracing the relational trajectories of Antarctica and outer space. In the latter half of the 20th century, rockets were developed that were powerful enough to overcome the force of gravity to reach orbital velocities, paving the way for space exploration to become a reality. 2020. During much of this period, space as area of research, discovery and action was a field of study which has been ruled for a long time by "natural sciences" only. 2016. These were followed by the Solar Maximum Mission satellite (launched 1980). A core aspect of this project is to study how imaginaries and expectations emerge from the interplay of science, technology, and innovation with regards to outer space. We conclude that human space exploration can be a socially significant and cost-effective endeavor that is worthy of tax revenue expenditures because space behavioral science is highly likely to provide unique and useful knowledge to help address various social problems concerning terrestrial isolated and confined environments and support people Space exploration can be viewed as the quintessential achievement of technological and scientific modernity. The station has been continuously occupied since the arrival of Expedition 1 in November of 2000. 1993. The film exposes the complexities of a fragile planet on the verge of ecological collapse, our relationship to the ice, and the uncertain future for the region. Artistic interpretations can shed light on data to provide perspectives that may otherwise have been missed. Not Solar-terrestrial interactions were the focus of many of the Explorer series of spacecraft (195875) and the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory satellites (196469). Gertz J. Astrosociology is an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary field that promotes and represents convergence of the physical/natural sciences and the social/behavioral sciences on all matters pertaining to humanity's interests and activities in space and the consequences of these activities for people on Earth. Space launch systems have been designed to reduce costs and improve dependability, safety, and reliability. The strategy assumes that scientific knowledge is the most important consideration and ignores inevitable trade-offs between scientific investigation and other values. Choosing not to engage with ethics ultimately means that important influences on personal and professional behavior are not subjected to critical scrutiny. These calls should be heeded. 2017. I used speculative fiction as a narrative device combined with my ethnographic research to depict the lives and visions of human communities living transiently in the Antarctic Peninsula between 2011 and 2014. This new project on space is partly inspired by a range of new critical work on space coming out over the past decade in anthropology, sociology, and human geography, and in the humanities and arts more widely. Astrobiology and society: Building an interdisciplinary research community. space exploration has always been a multi-disciplinary endeavour. everyday lives and create new technologies that will aid us further. 2018. Among many other missions, NASA has launched a number of satellites, including Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED, 2001); the Japanese-U.S.-U.K. collaboration Hinode (2006); and Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO, 2006), part of its Solar Terrestrial Probes program. https://eds-a-ebscohost- New York: Springer. With space exploration, our desire to answer fundamental questions about our place in the Universe can not only help to expand technology, but it helps us look at things in new ways and it. Ruiz-Mirazo K, Peret J, Moreno A. Late in World War II, London was attacked by 200-mile-range V-2 missiles, which arched 60 miles high over the English Channel at more than 3,500 miles per hour. Scientists sought a better understanding of the internal dynamics and overall behaviour of the Sun, the underlying causes of variations in solar activity, and the way in which those variations propagate through space and ultimately affect Earths magnetosphere and upper atmosphere. NASA is on a journey to Mars, with a goal of sending humans to the Red Planet in the 2030s. The great colonization debate. It has been visited by astronauts, cosmonauts, and space tourists from 17 different nations. And, since humanists study people, they are well positioned to address potential social impacts of scientific developments in ways that better relate to the public. How has your view of space exploration changed or expanded after looking at it through the four lenses? and how it contributes to our daily lives. 2020. Finally, I offer some suggestions as to how the two communities can better work together. The fact that this had not previously occurred to anyone (including the author) shows how easily important perspectives can be overlooked. On Feb. 20, 1962, John Glenns historic flight made him the first American to orbit Earth. ProfessorJuan Francisco Salazar, from Western Sydney Universitys School of Humanities & Communication Arts is currently researching how different people relate to space and the future democracy of space. Anesthesiology 90(6):175665. Our advancement as a human species has been spurred by a combination of technical and intellectual progress. You may use as many slides per section as you think you need. After reading the module overview, what are some of the ways that the lenses relate to space exploration? This approach may be fine for now, but its implicit social and ethical commitments require careful attention as more invasive missions are pursued. Life as adaptive capacity: Bringing new life to an old debate. Is there another planet that is earth like? Twenty-four successful shuttle launches fulfilled many scientific and military requirements until Jan. 28,1986, when just 73 seconds after liftoff, the space shuttle Challenger exploded. Four years later on April 12, 1961, Russian Lt. Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit Earth in Vostok 1. Hence, the second part of this space project is international in scope. I use the term scientist to refer to natural scientists and engineers and humanist to refer to humanities scholars and social scientists. To address this problem, I begin with an overview of how humanists think and how their approach can be helpful to the sciences in addressing complex social and conceptual questions. I would like to know how many Earth-like planets we have discovered. Ultimately, 180 specific exploration objectives have been The idea is to paint a picture of the most significant imaginaries at play in a diverse Australian space sector at the dawn of a decade seen as crucial for space exploration. 3). Presentation on Space Exploration through the Social Science and History Lenses - Space Exploration - Studocu In this assignment, we had to put together all the research we had done and choose two topics to discuss our chosen topic through. Discovery was the first of the three active space shuttles to be retired, completing its final mission on March 9, 2011; Endeavour did so on June 1. I chose the topic of space exploration because: I believe space exploration is our future. Astrobiology 8(4):71530. For these reasons, scientists and humanists alike should strive for more inclusive discussion, especially when it comes to questions that are extremely difficult to resolve. Smith KC. I want to know how the technologies we use for space impact our Copyright 2023 The Aerospace Corporation. The arts, primarily but by no means exclusively, the visual arts are also vital to the presentation of scientific findings. I see this as a dialogue of knowledges and practices, or what in Latin America is often called a dilogo de saberes. The point is to learn from and engage with Indigenous perspectives on sky knowledge and space environments. Can any communications reach But humanists play an essential role in highlighting uncomfortable dilemmas that already exist (sometimes implicitly) and compelling attention to them to reduce unintended consequences. Chapter two is organized into sections representing seven disciplines (economics, history, international law and relations, philosophy, political science, psychology, and sociology) which allow faculty to relate a specific discipline to space technology and to adapt space-related issues to the teaching of that discipline. It also shapes the roles that space agencies might take in developing uses of outer space. Benign neglect is nonetheless still neglect and, once established, it creates a feedback loop (Why should I go out of my way to include those people if nobody else is doing it?). it is apparent the main goal for space exploration is to; better our lives. The development of ballistic missiles, first used by Germany toward the end of World War II, paved the way for the launch vehicles that would fuel a space race between the Soviet Union and the United States. Robust collaboration requires more than expressions of personal support for inclusion. Natural science views space exploration as something that needs to be, explored more and needs to have better technology to explore other planets, The view that I get of space exploration when using both lenses is that exploring, could give us the answers of our lives but, Is there any effect on our environment from space. past and is ever more prudent for our future. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Smith KC. For one thing, humanists require relatively little support and are thus not pressured to promise outside agencies quick returns. Progress in space science is raising many complex social issues, and researchers in the humanities and social sciences are increasingly seeking inclusion in these discussions. Landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth within a decade was a national goal set by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Space exploration is foundational to climate science because it provides us with more information about the Earth, our solar system and the role of gases in our atmosphere, and nuclear energy has played an important role powering our missions into space. The Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover mission was undertaken and overseen by a team consisting of a mix of scientists, social scientists and artists, it is a clear example of how space exploration has always been a multi-disciplinary endeavour. 3). These range from the work of serious scientists (e.g., METI International) to private initiatives (e.g., the Interstellar Beacon Project). For many who have watched the film around the world, the film is an experimental meditation on the future of the Antarctic as a new extreme frontier for human habitation. I chose social science and Skip to document Ask an Expert Sign inRegister Sign inRegister Home The NASA Astrobiology Roadmap. Thus, depending on the lens we are looking through, the cultural artifacts we encounterthe constructed items that convey the benchmarks of a particular culture or social groupwill tell a different story. Space exploration thus supports innovation and economic prosperity by stimulating advances in science and technology, as well as motivating the global scientific and technological workforce, thus enlarging the sphere of human economic activity. Aerospace partnered with TechCrunch to bring together industry leaders and experts, helping break down barriers within the enterprise by facilitating conversations that can help drive collaboration an USSF-44 marked the first time SpaceX's most powerful rocket was used in support of a National Security Space Launch mission. Space is often thought of as the realm of science and technology, but there are other disciplines that have roles to play in defining humanitys relationship with the cosmos. NASA [National Aeronautics and Space Administration]. United States. There are also structural advantages to involving humanists in interdisciplinary contexts. The scientific complexity of space exploration is encapsulated in NASAs ongoing Mars Perseverance Rover mission, but it also highlights the importance of the social sciences, humanities and art subjects (SHAPE disciplines) in driving and enabling this scientific progress. Readers would do well to reflect on the many missed opportunities to include a humanist voice. NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Gulf War proved the value of satellites in modern conflicts. Synthese 185:14564. There is important literature in the social sciences that has examined how these sociotechnical imaginaries are employed by policymakers. But time and again history has shown that they are, so inclusion is ultimately worth the effort.