TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIES THAT MAY ENABLE AFFORDABLE HUMAN EXPLORATION AND NEW SPACE INDUSTRIES IN THE 21ST CENTURY

摘要

It is not possible to know where the future will lead. Nevertheless, one can know where it might lead, if individuals and organizations are bold enough to accept its challenges. The challenges for the human exploration and the commercial development of space include: 1. Access to space; 2. Abundant and affordable Energy in space; 3. Affordable and timely Movement in space; 4. Profound Science, at a pace accelerated beyond that achievable by machines alone; 5. Effective use of the Resources of space; 6. Safe and affordable human Habitation and health; 7. Operability, including assembly, inspection and maintenance of systems; 8. Exploration of ― and Expeditions to ― lunar and planetary surfaces, and 9. Participation in the experience of exploration by the public at large. Creating new space technology cannot create the future. However diverse breakthroughs in space capabilities enabled by near-simultaneous advances in critical technologies across a broad front are close at hand. The concomitant breakthrough in humanity's horizon ― opening space to public access and private enterprise, understanding our Earth and its future, probing our stellar neighborhood and the universe beyond ― could be as profound an advance as the Renaissance.