The Space Option - A Precis
The Space Option concept has a dual origin. It follows from the search for humane solutions to the problems confronting the global community - problems which cannot be solved nor even properly addressed on a single planet. It also proceeds from an analysis for explaining the lack of progress in Astronautics, which concludes at an absence of ethical stimulus in the current design of this enterprise and which leads to the identification of the contributions that space development can give for triumphing over the impending crises. This duality of origin is an illustration of the "multi-dimensionality" of the concept: the Space Option is an imperative, but not a linear choice.
The idea is not utterly new, and builds on the tradition of Astronautical Humanism. As Krafft A. Ehricke observed in 1970:
"While civilization is more than a high material living standard, it is nevertheless based on material abundance. It does not thrive on abject poverty or in an atmosphere of resignation and hopelessness. Therefore, the end objectives of solar system exploration are social objectives in the sense that they relate to, or are dictated by, present and future human needs."
But the astronautical community has largely ignored such basic advice, leading to an increasing divorce between the national agendas and the space program: the current "space crisis" is but the political retribution for this attitude.
The search for a viable and truly ethical argument for Astronautics may be then reduced to questions such as: Are there currently any attempts to the continuation of human civilization? And the answer to this question is definitely affirmative! Philosophically, the inability to properly address those "present and future human needs" is rooted in the fact that this planet Earth is still comprehended as if it were the whole universe. A change in perspective is needed, since there is no reason why the part of the Universe outside Earth should play no role in human destiny. This is what the Space Option concept advocates.
Thus, the Space Option concept formulates an evolutionary plan for meeting humanity's basic and anticipated needs. It is based on the use of extraterrestrial resources - but not for in-situ utilization supporting science or exploration purposes. Rather, it is fundamental for the Space Option to apply said resources, or products thereof, for Earth use, i.e. it foresees the imports of space products to Earth - whereas these occur on a significant, not sporadic, basis to provide for a conspicuous fraction of the primary needs of ground-based societies. It is further recognized that it is urgent to begin with the implementation of the Space Option, because there seems to be a limited window of opportunity, during which humanity can choose between "a Stone Age or a Space Age" and can begin in earnest the work for securing its future.
The two basic scenarios which dominate today's discussions about our future - the zero-growth demanded by the Neo-Luddites and the business-as-usual approach invoked by the Cornucopians:
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both are at best inadequate attempts at mere survival which - however they might be packaged
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not only will be ineffectual but will usher in a dead-end, despotic regime.
The Space Option offers a third future, unspecialized, with many avenues, varied possibilities, room for different kinds of hope - and the material assets to at least attempt to realize them. the Space Option is not single-minded, but tolerant: and its many facets make it not only attractive, but also resilient. In acknowledging, at long last, that Earth is not the whole universe, it uses non-Earth parts of this universe to provide humans with space for living, for industrial and even food production, and with all the necessary resources necessary. Above all, it grants humanity new horizons and a hopeful future!
Research has already established relationships between the Space Option implementation and major sectors of society, such as:
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economic development
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economic growth
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internal security
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external security
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supply of energy and material resources
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abatement of wastes and pollution
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environmental restoration
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scientific research
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technological development
Criticism of economic growth as an important societal goal could be taken somewhat more seriously if the whole terrestrial globe were already enjoying the benefits of an advanced industrial economy. But, if one believes that development is a necessary precondition for peace, then one has to arrive at the insight that thesignificant resources are necessary (i) to fuel development, and (ii) to reduce the tensions. But only the Space Optioncan provide new, and sufficiently abundant resources for this purpose. This tension- reducing potential is its greatest contribution to peace and security.
The primary contribution of the Space Option to the internal security resides in the fact that it carries a authentic hope, a challenge and a potential which may be able to compensate for the confusion, the despair, and the misery of the philosophy of the finite world.
The implementation of the Space Option not only contributes to the restoration of the global environment by its reliance on the (for all practical purposes) unlimited energy from space for supporting the world's economic development, but also by offering future generations a sufficient supply of material resources. Thus, the Space Option provides the hope for the less-fortunate societies to aspire to living standards substantially beyond their current situation - something which none of the current scenarios for the so-called "sustainable development" can provide.
The sole alternative to such a solution of no-growth and wealth redistribution is the Space Option: neither an easy, nor a comfortable choice, but one full of hope : the choice for the end of the end and the beginning of infinity. At least for all these reasons, the Space Option ought to become the primary motivation for continued space activities.
