138
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
M. Spagnulo, The Geopolitics of Space Exploration, Springer Praxis Books,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69125-7
Afterword by Professor Carlo Pelanda
The reading of such a complete book in terms of information and stimuli for an
exo-strategic thinking, i.e. a strategy that refers to connotations well beyond the
terrestrial borders, urges the creation of new research fields, of which a potential
list is provided hereafter.
The key point is that current technology does not allow human beings to survive in extraterrestrial space beyond a certain time, with lasting medical consequences even after short periods of radiation exposure and in conditions of near
zero gravity. Is it therefore necessary to look for a way to build better-shielded
exo-habitats with Earth-like gravity? Or to create new anthropogenic configurations adapted to non-terrestrial conditions? Or to finally resign ourselves to the
idea of only sending robots with advanced artificial intelligence into space and on
outer planets?
Building exo-habitats that replicate terrestrial conditions implies large systems
that can only be built by space yards and not directly on Earth.
Bioengineering for an adaptive transformation of human configuration would
find moral oppositions and would demonize manufacturing companies and governments, with two exceptions: in the event of a catastrophe where humans risk
extinction on Earth, or as a result of decisions made by an authoritarian regime
that is less vulnerable to dissent than democracies and that has the capabilities of
secretly investing in this research.
The use of exo-robots raises problems due to the current limits of artificial
intelligence. Furthermore, by fully using robots, the explicit demonstration of
human limits could lead to a disappointment that could even negatively impact the
expenditure meant for remote space exploration, hitherto supported by the illusion
that humankind could travel in the Universe and live on other planets.
Which is the most likely choice?
Rightly, the author of the book identifies military competition for strategic
superiority as the engine for future space exploration. Strategists are more likely
not to rule out some of the options mentioned above and, indeed, tend to consider
using all three. Obviously, current technology does not allow us to reach them in
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
M. Spagnulo, The Geopolitics of Space Exploration, Springer Praxis Books,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69125-7
Afterword by Professor Carlo Pelanda
The reading of such a complete book in terms of information and stimuli for an
exo-strategic thinking, i.e. a strategy that refers to connotations well beyond the
terrestrial borders, urges the creation of new research fields, of which a potential
list is provided hereafter.
The key point is that current technology does not allow human beings to survive in extraterrestrial space beyond a certain time, with lasting medical consequences even after short periods of radiation exposure and in conditions of near
zero gravity. Is it therefore necessary to look for a way to build better-shielded
exo-habitats with Earth-like gravity? Or to create new anthropogenic configurations adapted to non-terrestrial conditions? Or to finally resign ourselves to the
idea of only sending robots with advanced artificial intelligence into space and on
outer planets?
Building exo-habitats that replicate terrestrial conditions implies large systems
that can only be built by space yards and not directly on Earth.
Bioengineering for an adaptive transformation of human configuration would
find moral oppositions and would demonize manufacturing companies and governments, with two exceptions: in the event of a catastrophe where humans risk
extinction on Earth, or as a result of decisions made by an authoritarian regime
that is less vulnerable to dissent than democracies and that has the capabilities of
secretly investing in this research.
The use of exo-robots raises problems due to the current limits of artificial
intelligence. Furthermore, by fully using robots, the explicit demonstration of
human limits could lead to a disappointment that could even negatively impact the
expenditure meant for remote space exploration, hitherto supported by the illusion
that humankind could travel in the Universe and live on other planets.
Which is the most likely choice?
Rightly, the author of the book identifies military competition for strategic
superiority as the engine for future space exploration. Strategists are more likely
not to rule out some of the options mentioned above and, indeed, tend to consider
using all three. Obviously, current technology does not allow us to reach them in