Does humanity have a future beyond Earth? Should we invest in exploring space? Can we terraform other worlds in our solar system, such as Mars? And could some of the technologies we develop reaching for the stars help us solve problems back on Earth, such as climate change and resource scarcity? Or should we focus on fixing our planet first, before we start blasting off into space?
What do our readers think? First up, Julia sent us a comment asking: “Why are you wasting our money exploring space? First, help citizens, and if there is any money left spend it on space.”
Next up, JT argues that one important impact of space technology is to “improve agricultural production”. In this sense, isn’t it true that exploring space would benefit people on Earth?
Finally, Jevgeni sent us a comment arguing that space exploration should be international and cooperative. However, given the geopolitics on Earth, is the age of international cooperation in space research over?
To get a response for our readers, we put all three of the above comments to two experts:
💬 Michel Praet, European Space Agency
💬 André Loesekrug-Pietri, Joint European Disruptive Initiative (JEDI)
See the video at the top of this post for their responses.
Should Europe become more ambitious in space? Could exploring space for peaceful means benefit people on Earth? Given the geopolitics on Earth, is the age of international cooperation in space research over? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!
IMAGE CREDITS: Photo by Nicolas Lobos on Unsplash
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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It was never a matter of whether “Europe” should become more ambitious in space or a leader in space or- or- or, but whether the EU can put its supranational identity above that of the intergovernmental organisation which ESA is- or rather “was”! ‘Smarter’ should be our future!
• Which countries make/own ESA? There are 22 National Member States:
• Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
• Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia are Associate Members.
https://www.esa.int/
The fact: our EU architects never rested until they managed ESA to morph into EUSPA. Sure, there are always millions of good reasons opposed to millions of opposite ones! Or? Referendums? Sorry, not applicable!
https://www.euspa.europa.eu/
One can never believe a forum question is chosen in pure political innocence.
To obscure & lead astray, would be more fitting.
EUSPA’s open day in Prague: 9-10 December 2022- & why not ask any questions?
https://www.euspa.europa.eu/newsroom/news/kicking-festive-season-euspa-open-days-2022
Je pense, mais c’est peut-être un brin utopiste, que pour se lancer à la conquête de l’espace de manière efficace, il est grand de laisser tomber ses appartenances et d’enfin parler d’une seule voix : ni USA, ni UE, ni la Russie, ni la Chine mais bel et bien l’Humanité.
… not really
In future yes…
The US is using heavy subsidy forcing European industries to flee. Europe is now over-relying on US and paying 4 times more expensive the energy and gas price than the US local price. Under this de-industrialization process, with what Europe can invest on more ambitious in space science?
First the moon 🌛 It is not too far away… 😏
Well, we can explore the universe, but not distroying this world we are living on! It will be a pity once we belong to it!
Searching for live like on Earth is quite consumtive…
Live have many forms…
Probably one day there will be a NASA for finding out the powers, the energies which dominates the galaxies, the universe…Probably it will be more to find this way than just many empty planets, globes, stars, meteorites etc…