Towards an Integrated Scientific and Social Case for Human Space Exploration

Crawford, Ian

doi:10.1007/s11038-005-9005-2

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…[9] This is an example of a contextual factor (mentioned above) that is falsely used as a reason against HSF. Dr. Crawford and others have also pointed out that financial arguments are insufficient because the national costs of spaceflight have, in reality, been marginal as compared with overall national expenditures [10]. Spaceflight is affordable.…”

Section: Counter-responsesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Defending spaceflight – The echoes of Apollo

Rovetto

2016

Space Policy

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Abstract. This paper defends, and emphasizes the importance of, spaceflight, broadly construed to include human and unmanned spaceflight, space science, exploration and development. Within this discourse, I provide counter-replies to remarks by physicist Dr. Steven Weinberg against my previous support of human spaceflight. In this defense of peaceful spaceflight I draw upon a variety of sources. Although a focus is human spaceflight, human and unmanned modes must not be treated as an either-or opposition. Rather, each has a critical role to play in moving humanity forward as a spacefaring species. In the course of this communication, I also stress NASA's (and other space agency's) perennial role as a science and technology-driver, and its function to provide a stable and unified platform for space programs.

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Section: Counter-responsesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Defending spaceflight – The echoes of Apollo

Rovetto

2016

Space Policy

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“…Thus, although I have argued here that science in general, and astrobiology in particular, will benefit from an ambitious program of human space exploration, scientists should not fall into the trap of believing that such a program will be pursued solely, or even mainly, for their benefit. The totality of the case for investing in human spaceflight is a complex mixture of scientific and societal factors (Crawford, 2004;Fong, 2004;GES, 2007), and any responsibly formulated public space policy must take a holistic view of the scientific and nonscientific benefits together.…”

Section: Policy Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Astrobiological Benefits of Human Space Exploration

Crawford

2010

Astrobiology

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An ambitious program of human space exploration, such as that envisaged in the Global Exploration Strategy and considered in the Augustine Commission report, will help advance the core aims of astrobiology in multiple ways. In particular, a human exploration program will confer significant benefits in the following areas: (i) the exploitation of the lunar geological record to elucidate conditions on early Earth; (ii) the detailed study of near-Earth objects for clues relating to the formation of the Solar System; (iii) the search for evidence of past or present life on Mars; (iv) the provision of a heavy-lift launch capacity that will facilitate exploration of the outer Solar System; and (v) the construction and maintenance of sophisticated space-based astronomical tools for the study of extrasolar planetary systems. In all these areas a human presence in space, and especially on planetary surfaces, will yield a net scientific benefit over what can plausibly be achieved by autonomous robotic systems. A number of policy implications follow from these conclusions, which are also briefly considered.

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“…All of which cannot be underestimated in distant and high-risk environments. However, due to the complicated nature of crewed missions over extended time periods, many new technologies and engineering processes still need to be developed (Crawford, 2004;Rovetto, 2016). One of the greatest challenges of long-distance space travel and the establishment of bases beyond Earth's orbit is the ability to provide food, water, and a breathable atmosphere for the crew in a stable and secure manner with a high reliability over time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Nitrogen Recycling Strategies for Bioregenerative Life Support Systems in Space

et al. 2021

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To enable long-distance space travel, the development of a highly efficient and robust system to recover nutrients from waste streams is imperative. The inability of the current physicochemical-based environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) on the ISS to produce food in situ and to recover water and oxygen at high enough efficiencies results in the need for frequent resupply missions from Earth. Therefore, alternative strategies like biologically-based technologies called bioregenerative life support systems (BLSSs) are in development. These systems aim to combine biological and physicochemical processes, which enable in situ water, oxygen, and food production (through the highly efficient recovery of minerals from waste streams). Hence, minimalizing the need for external consumables. One of the BLSS initiatives is the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA). It has been designed as a five-compartment bioengineered system able to produce fresh food and oxygen and to recycle water. As such, it could sustain the needs of a human crew for long-term space exploration missions. A prerequisite for the self-sufficient nature of MELiSSA is the highly efficient recovery of valuable minerals from waste streams. The produced nutrients can be used as a fertilizer for food production. In this review, we discuss the need to shift from the ECLSS to a BLSS, provide a summary of past and current BLSS programs and their unique approaches to nitrogen recovery and processing of urine waste streams. In addition, compartment III of the MELiSSA loop, which is responsible for nitrogen recovery, is reviewed in-depth. Finally, past, current, and future related ground and space demonstration and the space-related challenges for this technology are considered.

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Towards an Integrated Scientific and Social Case for Human Space Exploration

Cited by 11 publications

References 27 publications

Defending spaceflight – The echoes of Apollo

Defending spaceflight – The echoes of Apollo

Astrobiological Benefits of Human Space Exploration

Development of Nitrogen Recycling Strategies for Bioregenerative Life Support Systems in Space

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