What is the Value of Space Exploration? A Symposium Sponsored by the Mission From Planet Earth Study Offi ce, Offi ce of Space Science NASA Headquarters and the University of Maryland at College Park July 18-19, 1994 National Geographic Society Washington, D.C. i ii “Space exploration has become an integral part of our national character, capturing the spirit of optimism and adventure that has defi ned this country from its beginnings.” National Apollo Anniver- sary Observance, A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America, July 19, 1994 “There is frequently a tendency to generalize ‘exploration’ into a universal expression of the human gene, to equate ‘discovery’ with ‘curiosity’ or with ‘human spirit.’ That it is, but not unique- ly…. Exploration…appears to be a cultural invention…. Its vitality as an institution depends on the vitality of the whole civilization with which it interacts. To survey the motives for exploration is to survey all the motives that animate a thriving civilization…. “The point is that exploration must share and participate in a moral universe with its civilization. This is not a question of purpose so much as legitimacy. In this sense exploration is a shared act of faith. It reinforces and reinterprets in updated garb myths, beliefs, and archetypes basic to its originating civilization.” Stephen Pyne, “The Third Great Age of Discovery,” The Scientifi c and Histori- cal Rationales for Solar System Exploration, Space Policy Institute, George Washington University, Washington, D.C., 1988 iii iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface.................................................................................................................................................................vii Program ............................................................................................................................................................... ix Welcome, Gilbert M. Grosvenor ........................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction, Robert McC. Adams....................................................................................................................... 1 Remarks................................................................................................................................................................ 1 William Kirwan.......................................................................................................................................... 1 M.R.C. Greenwood.................................................................................................................................... 1 Opening Keynote Address, Carl Sagan ............................................................................................................... 2 Session 1: What is the Scientifi c Value of Space Exploration?............................................................................. 4 Roald Sagdeev ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Richard L. Garwin ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Stephen Jay Gould ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Session 2: What is the Economic Value of Space Exploration? (Part I)................................................................ 8 Molly Macauley ........................................................................................................................................ 8 W. Bowman Cutter..................................................................................................................................... 9 Daniel F. Burton, Jr. ................................................................................................................................. 10 Session 3: What is the Cultural Value of Space Exploration?............................................................................. 13 Patricia Nelson Limerick......................................................................................................................... 13 Valerie Neal.............................................................................................................................................. 14 Timothy Ferris.......................................................................................................................................... 15 Session 4: What is the Economic Value of Space Exploration? (Part II) ............................................................ 19 Matthew M. Matsunaga ........................................................................................................................... 19 Jeffery Mamber........................................................................................................................................ 20 Frederick Humphries............................................................................................................................... 20 Session 5: What is the Value of Space Exploration to Education and Scientifi c Literacy? ................................ 23 James F. Trefi l .......................................................................................................................................... 23 Charles F. Bolden, Jr. ............................................................................................................................... 24 Priscilla Cortelyou Little.......................................................................................................................... 24 Session 6: What is the Scientifi c and Cultural Value of Space Exploration? ..................................................... 28 Joanne Gabrynowicz................................................................................................................................ 28 Paul Grey.................................................................................................................................................. 29 Majel Barrett Roddenberry...................................................................................................................... 30 John Calvin Batchelor.............................................................................................................................. 31 Closing Keynote Address, Daniel S. Goldin...................................................................................................... 34 Speakers Listing................................................................................................................................................. 38 v vi Preface What value have we gleaned from past exploration program during the Cold War, today’s relevant motive initiatives, and what is the real value of space explo- for space exploration might be love: “we have a lot ration in the post-Cold War world? Does it enrich of things that we can do out of love…we can love human existence? Fulfi ll a cultural imperative? Offer the planet, we can love exploration, we can love the critical additions to knowledge? Enhance economic adventure, we can love leaving knowledge to our strength and technological competitiveness? Improve descendants, and we need to use that word.” international relations? Advance education? Improve the quality of life? Feed spiritual needs? If so, why, Most speakers agreed that the economic value of space and how? If not, why not? exploration does not lend itself to quantitative assess- ment. Tallies of benefi ts over the years since Apollo With these kinds of questions in mind, NASA’s Mis- have not created a compelling rationale for a federally- sion From Planet Earth Study Offi ce conceived a sym- funded space exploration program. Several speakers posium to address the question, “What is the Value touched on the idea that what space exploration is all of Space Exploration?” This event took place July about is the realization of human potential. What’s 18-19, 1994, in Washington, D.C. Today, without a currently needed, some noted, is a greater focus motive so compelling as the Cold-War competition on the intangible benefi ts of space exploration. One that propelled the civil space program from its begin- enthused, for example, about the tremendous aesthetic nings into the 1980s, space exploration has no clearly value of images of other worlds. Others said that defi ned purpose, critics say. Thus, the purpose of the space exploration must be a multicultural, multina- symposium was to stimulate public discussion about tional, inclusive enterprise in the post-Cold War world. the scientifi c, economic, and cultural value of space Another asserted that civil space exploration is neces- exploration in the post-Cold War world and expand the sary to effect a successful defense conversion in the community of people participating in this discussion. United States and Russia. Given that the symposium took place during the week NASA needs bold human exploration missions, of the 25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing, beyond Earth orbit, to provide focus and inspiration to speakers refl ected on how the context for the civil scientifi c research and technology development, others space program has changed since the 1960s. Apollo, said. In the end, as the following summary of the sym- a product of geopolitical competition,