The Politics and Perils of Space Exploration: Who Will Compete, Who Will Dominate? (Springer Praxis Books)

Description

This book examines the U.S. space program’s triumphs and failures in order to assess what constitutes a successful space policy. Using NASA and the space industry’s complex history as a guide, it draws global lessons about space missions and the trends we can expect from different nations in the next decade and beyond. Space exploration has become increasingly dependent on cooperation between countries as well as the involvement of private enterprise. This book thus addresses issues such as: Given their tenuous history, can rival countries work together? Can private enterprise fill NASA’s shoes and provide the same expertise and safety standards? Written by a former NASA Aerodynamics Officer at Houston Mission Control working on the Space Shuttle program, the second edition of this book provides updated information on U.S. space policy, including the new strategy to return to the Moon prior to traveling to Mars. Additionally, it takes a look at the formation of the Space Force as a military unit, as well as the latest developments in private industry. Overall, it is a thought-provoking resource for both space industry professionals and space enthusiasts. Preface Acknowledgements Contents About the Author 1: The Excitement of Current & Future Space Exploration The U.S. Focus in Outer Space Today International Space Programs and Partnerships The European Space Agency China Russia Japan India Other Asian Space Activities Other Space Agencies The Israel Space Agency Iran The United Kingdom United Arab Emirates The Politics of the New Space Age 2: The New Space Race The New International Space Race The Asian Space Race The New Commercial Space Race Reflections on the New Space Race 3: Commercial Interests in Outer Space The Commercial Development of Outer Space Space Contests and Prizes Commercial Crew Program (CCP) Development Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships (NextSTEP) Projects The Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) Sierra Nevada Corporation Development of Dream Chaser Blue Origin Bigelow Aerospace Inflatable Habitats Reflections on Commercial Interests in Outer Space 4: Why Not Go Back to the Moon? Going Back to the Moon The Politics of Returning to the Moon Commercial Interests in Returning to the Moon Reflections on Returning to the Moon 5: Going to Mars A Dangerous High Tech Landing on Mars (August 6, 2012) The Case for Mars The Supporters of Mars Colonization Robert Zubrin Elon Musk Unmanned Mars Exploration Life From and on Mars The Cost of Going to Mars The Mars 2020 Mission NASA’s Manned Mission to Mars Comparison of the SLS and the Falcon Heavy Rocket The Mars One Mission China’s Plans for Mars Russia’s Plans for Mars Commercial Efforts for Red Planet Manned Missions Final Thoughts on Humans Going to Mars 6: Politics, the Military, and the Space Force Politics and the Military in Outer Space The History of NACA and NASA The U.S. Air Force Threats to Outer Space Military Resources The U.S. Space Force: The Debate X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-6) Reflections 7: The Science and Dangers of Outer Space Lost in Space The Space Environment The Dangers of Spaceflight Microgravity Issues Protein Concentrations Muscle Atrophy Bone Loss Radiation Professor James Van Allen and Space Travel Radiation and Space Missions Cardiovascular Effects Aging Changes to the Human Mind in Space Space Debris Final Thoughts on the Dangers of Outer Space 8: Politics and the Space Race An Introduction to Modern Rocketry Robert Goddard, the Father of American Rocketry Rocket Development During World War II Wernher Von Braun, the Father of Space Travel The Early History of Space Politics Sergei Pavlovich Korolev, the Founder of the Soviet Space Program The Space Race Heats Up Yuri Gagarin, the First Man in Space Alan Shepard, the First American in Space Next Steps in Space Final Thoughts on the Politics of the Space Race 9: The Post-Apollo and Space Shuttle Era Post-Apollo Space Exploration Politics Space Stations The U.S. Air Force vs. NASA Skylab The Space Shuttle The Visions of Max Faget The Accomplishments of the Space Shuttle System and the Future in Space Transportation The Spacelab Module Legacy of the Space Shuttle The Military Influence on Space Shuttle Operations 10: Politics, the ISS, and Private Enterprise International Space Station Politics The Legacy of the International Space Station Post-International Space Station Politics 11: Politics and Commercial Space Activities Government Policy of Commercial Space Activities Successful NASA Partnerships Additional NASA Partnerships with Private Enterprise The Politics of Future Commercial Exploits 12: Technological Risks of Space Flights and Human Casualties Technological Risks of Spaceflight Apollo 1 (January 27, 1967) Historical Context Accident Analysis The Space Shuttle Challenger (January 28, 1986) Historical Context Accident Analysis The Space Shuttle Columbia (February 1, 2003) Historical Context Accident Analysis Lessons Learned from NASA Space Disasters SpaceShipTwo Crash (October 31, 2014) Historical Context Accident Analysis SpaceX Explosion (June 28, 2015) Historical Context Accident Analysis Risks in the Commercial Launch Vehicle Industry Lessons Learned from Commercial Space Disasters 13: New Technology and Deep Space Deep Space Exploration Technological Challenges Methods of Propulsion Ion Propulsion Solar Sails Thermal Fission Habitat Technology Radiation Protection Technology Communication Technology Enhanced Power Technology Food Crops for Deep Space Applications Water: A Precious Resource New Technology and the Road to Deep Space 14: Future Topics in Space Future Human Space Exploration Space Tourism Interplanetary Contamination The Reality of Deep Space The Search for Alien Life Reflections on the Future of Space Exploration and Colonization Index