
It has been only 120 years from the 1903 Kittyhawk Flyer lifting off the ground to rovers landing on Mars. Our traveling exhibit, “The Aerospace Design Experience,” explores this journey.
In the last decade, we’ve seen thousands of satellites enter orbit. The United States, India, and China have all landed on the moon. The James Web telescope is now peering deeper into time and space than ever imagined. The pace of exploration and innovation on all fronts is accelerating, which leaves us pondering what’s next and why.
Shouldn’t we focus on Earth’s problems, like overpopulation, pollution, and all the other existential risks facing humanity today, before we look to occupy other planets?
While thousands of organizations, government entities, and millions of people focus on civilization’s current existential challenges, techno-optimists argue that being a multi-planetary species is humanity’s safety net. They say that the innovative technologies that get us to space can also be applied to sustaining life on Earth, from energy production, waste, and water treatment to novel materials and design. Others make a case for doubling down on addressing more pressing existential risks, like climate change, AI alignment, biotechnology, and nuclear proliferation, before venturing too far into space.
Couldn’t we just send robots into space instead of people?
Astrophysicist Martin Rees argues in “The Last Astronaut” that the cost/benefit of human space travel has less to gain than sending more resilient AI-powered robots that can go further, last longer, cost less, and without the physiological and psychological baggage that makes humans a risky bet. Yet, Space X is laser-focused on putting people on Mars despite our vulnerabilities.
Why should we go to space, considering humanity’s economic, environmental, technological, and even political challenges? Here are the primary arguments that most scientists and space enthusiasts share alike.
· Space exploration is a democratic endeavor that unites humanity.
· Exploring beyond our planet is where we will find answers to our most curious questions about why we are here.
· Engineering life in space is usually applicable to improving life on Earth.
Leap Lab’s position is “All of the Above”. Yes, we need to continue exploring for the reasons cited and, at the same time, build resilient communities worldwide that employ evidence-based critical thinking to solve ALL challenges before us. The next problem-solver, entrepreneur, engineer, astronaut, or Nobel prize winner is sitting in a classroom right now. Still, if we do not create opportunities for people to realize their abilities, we all lose. We lose the capacity for that mind to blossom and contribute to humanity.
Therefore, a key ethic of our science center is to “Level the Playing Field,” meaning we must also focus on breaking the barriers that stand between people and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics). Ensuring that opportunities are equitable for everyone is our best return on investment.
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