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What on Earth are we doing in Space?
Is there a place for Africa in Space Travel?
Dr Michael Martin-Smith
Now that Nigeria has announced her plans to form a National Space
Research and Development Agency... and South African entrepreneur Mark
Shuttleworth is set to be the first African in Space... space, it seems is no
longer set to pass Africa by, but has opportunities for this continent.
"Man Medicine and
Space" - a new book explaining for the curious student what on Earth we are
doing in Space, by Dr Michael Martin-Smith
Many books on the
subjects of astronomy and spaceflight in the last 50 years have appeared,
written for various audiences ranging from schoolchildren to University
students. Most of these are dominated either by beautiful pictures - a glorious
result of modern powerful astronomical instruments both on Earth and beyond - or
by the mechanical and engineering marvels of rocketry and spacecraft.
"Man Medicine and
Space", however, is a wide-ranging look beyond these technical aspects at
the meaning of human space activities in the round - for Humanity, our place in
the Universe, and contemporary economics, environmental issues and international
relations. The book begins with a description of current ideas on the birth of
the Universe, the "life story" of stars and planets, and the
development of Life and intelligence so far as we know it, here on Earth in
narrative rather than in scientific paper mode. We look at the mythological,
philosophical, and historical roots of spaceflight with the suggestion that our
species has an exploratory drive pre-disposing us in the direction of
spaceflight. Nothing is inevitable in this world, but human interest and
traditions contain many premonitions of the approaching space age.
It is widely believed
that space exploration and development is restricted to the richer nations of
the world, or the great military powers. Indeed, the origins of spaceflight are
inextricably mixed up with great power rivalries, just as the first uses of iron
and horses were doubtless the military expansion of Hittite, Egyptian, and
Mesopotamian empires.
Increasingly, however, as
with iron and horses, we see spreading international civilian uses for Space-
countries such as China and India are using space technology to link together
culturally and economically their vast and diverse nations, while the education
and inspiration of their youth , so essential for future development is being
enhanced daily by space activities. New industries and employment opportunities
are arising on the back of ambitious space programmes. Here, perhaps , in
communications, infrastructure, education and, above all, raising educational
aspirations for youth, is the best potential for Space technology in Africa.
Now that Nigeria has
announced her plans to form a National Space Research and Development Agency,
and is to become engaged in small satellite programmes, it is perhaps timely
that such a book in non-technical language, is available for an enquiring
African public. Space, it seems, is no longer set to pass Africa by, but has
opportunities for this continent. It would be unfortunate if Africa missed her
chances in this new arena of human endeavour - following the land, sea, and air
in the annals of human exploration and utilization.
Alongside perhaps the
greatest intellectual feat of Humankind - understanding the origins and nature
of our Universe - modern astronomy and space technology is developing the new
discipline of Astrobiology - the study of the origins , distribution , evolution
and future of life in our Universe.
We learn how human beings
adapt to the new conditions of weightlessness, and how these conditions have the
potential to lead to new techniques in medical research and production,
pharmaceuticals, materials, clean renewable energy generation and, in time, new
ecological areas for human settlement.
We see how our new knowledge
of the planets teaches us lessons in ecology here on Earth; in planetology and
climate, as in medicine, the study of the extreme sheds new light on the normal,
while we are learning that we live in a cosmic ecosystem and not on an isolated
spaceship called Earth. Green philosophy is right up to a point - we must learn
to be good stewards of our home - and any other habitat which we may one day
inhabit; living in Space will teach us this lesson both culturally and
technically.
We learn how the
International Space Station, and the advent of private commerce in Space, can
lead to space tourism, and access by adventurous citizens to the hitherto
forbidden realm of Space; indeed, the South African entrepreneur Mark
Shuttleworth is set to be the second private space pioneer with a launch this
year. For the moment, only a handful have the opportunity of space flight -
but remember that aviation similarly was once the preserve of the few, but is
now available to millions
However, mere
sustainability, confined to one planet, is not enough - Mother Nature has
threats against even the most well managed Green minded society, and so for true
sustainability of human civilization and its further development we have to look
beyond our womb planet.
"Man Medicine and
Space" shows how we are, with faltering steps, learning these lessons, and
beginning to take our first steps into the wider Universe. We also look further
and see where this might lead us.
The story of Space is,
in the end, that of the extension of human capabilities and opportunities for
new modes of learning, business, manufacture and habitation, and the development
of Life and Mind to new levels of complexity, and is the future story of
Humankind and its successors - if we do not falter.
More Information:
Dr Michael Martin-Smith, BSc MRCGP FBIS, physician, amateur astronomer, and
writer, author of "Man Medicine and Space" available by Print on
Demand from www.amazon.com or from the
publisher, www.iuniverse.com ISBN
0-595-14808-5 , $16-95
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