university of california press spacefaring the human dimension mar 2001

[...]... habitation of space The penalty for this reluctance to explore the human side of spaceflight is evident in the memoirs of some astronauts and in many of the events that occurred when U.S astronauts served on the Russian space station Mir We owe the spacefarers a better understanding of the human side of spaceflight We owe this to spacefarers past because only through recognizing the true human cost do... partnerships and increasing the attractiveness of investment in space NASA is a complex, multifaceted organization with many achievements Certainly, the Apollo Moon landings at the end of the 1960s represent one of the greatest technological and human triumphs of all time, but one part of this complexity is a certain level of ambivalence toward the social psychology of space exploration On the one hand, NASA... philosophical questions as “What is the origin of Earth and the solar system?” “What is the origin of the universe?” and “What is the role of consciousness in the universe?”6 Although people tend to focus on the adventurous aspects of the Apollo voyages to the Moon, Paul D Lowman Jr and David M Harland add that the voyages brought us excellent scientific returns These expeditions were complex scientific... accorded the astronauts and cosmonauts of yesteryear For example, you might be able to remember the name of the first astronaut on the Moon, but how many of the other Moon-walkers can you recall? The earliest spacefarers were big-time celebrities, but most of today’s astronauts and cosmonauts are not as widely known Perhaps it is the inherent or intrinsic satisfaction of spacefaring that is the biggest... on Mars In addition to taking a close look at spacefarers themselves—how they are selected, how they are trained, how they live and work, what they do on furlough and after retirement—I will also consider the broader organizational and political contexts that shape human progress toward the stars The book begins with the question of human motivation: why should people be interested in space in the. .. advocates point to the scientific and educational advantages of human space exploration We are beckoned by an endless stream of scientific projects, including the prospects of conducting astronomy on the Moon and looking for signs of life on Mars Space exploration is a focal point for engaging children in science and developing the intellectual and human resources so crucial for the success of the next generation... reformulation of a pervasive myth, that of the hero’s journey.29 In various forms this myth is found at many times in many cultures It is evident in the stories of Jason and the Argonauts, King Arthur, and the gold prospectors of 1849; in the Apollo program; and in the movie Star Wars This myth is important because it helps us understand the nature of the world, ourselves, and our relationships to one another... human behavior and culture have shaped past and present missions, and how they may shape future missions as well Our journey begins with the earliest flights and looks forward to space tourism, space settlement, and interstellar travel, but the emphasis is on the next steps toward human occupation of space: the completion of the International Space Station, a return to the Moon, and the arrival of humans... in the late 1990s; these sums, in turn, would seem princely to the Russian cosmonauts.32 Some people will get very rich from space, but these are more likely to be the investors than the people who actually do the work there Social recognition is another powerful motivator There is still considerable glamour in spacefaring Yet the WHY SPACE? 15 accolades accorded today’s spacefarers fall far short of. .. one of the first space industries to emerge and that it will then pave the way for everything else.22 The key to all human endeavors in space is developing low-cost methods for getting there The lure of big financial returns from the huge tourist market gives entrepreneurs incentive to do this Ashford and Collins themselves developed phased plans for first bringing very wealthy tourists into space, then . Angeles, California University of California Press, Ltd. London, England ᭧ 2001 by the Regents of the University of California Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Harrison, Albert A. Spacefaring. alt="" Spacefaring This Page Intentionally Left Blank Spacefaring The Human Dimension Albert A. Harrison University of California Press Berkeley / Los Angeles / London University of California Press Berkeley. travel, but the emphasis is on the next steps toward human occupation of space: the completion of the Inter- national Space Station, a return to the Moon, and the arrival of hu- mans on Mars. In