NSS Letters on Space Exploration

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January 27, 2004

Today Show Letter

The National Space Society of Australia's President, Tim McEgan, sent a letter to the Today Show in Australia, and issued two press releases to the Australian Press in support of the U.S.A.'s new space initiative. His efforts resulted in interviews with two radio networks syndicated to over 80 Stations nationally. Reprinted with the permission of the National Space Society of Australia.

Today Show Letter

Dear Today Show,

I unfortunately missed most of your interview with Martin George at 7.50 this morning. As a member of the space industry I am always enthused by Mr George's discussions of space matters. Whilst I have a great deal of respect for Mr George, I was however disappointed to hear him claim this morning that the USA's President's initiative for human space exploration was too expensive. It is regrettable that the common perception about President Bush's initiative is that it will cost too much, when in fact the opposite is true.

The main concern is, however, not the expense of the initiative, but the lack of logical context around this debate. It is very easy for Australians to hear the cost of $15 Billion and think that is a huge expenditure. Very seldom do we hear the press report that this amount is less than 1% of the total US annual budget. In fact, Americans spent double that (over $30 Billion) on pet care last year. While pet care is not government expenditure, the context is still that American pets are more important than humans moving outward to improve our lives.

It is in our nature as humans that we easily forget the "positives" and focus on the "negatives". It is therefore very easy for us to forget that space exploration has brought about thousands of commercial products and applications that have improved our lives.

The miniaturisation of electronics and the development of computers were influenced by the needs of space exploration initiatives. Our health is improved through the thousands of medical advances and technologies that were originally developed for space exploration. Fire-fighters are protected every day by fire retardants and heat protective clothing made from materials originally designed for space exploration. In Australia's hot summers we forget that the air conditioning units that keep us comfortable were partially influenced by the Apollo programme. The humble running shoe uses space technology to provide protective support and comfort while we jog. I doubt that the pet industry in the USA, or anywhere in the world for that matter, can claim as many benefits to mankind.

Over the last few decades there has been an increasing concern about our environment. But, as the lacklustre response to the Kyoto Protocol suggests, despite a huge concern for the environment, our governments appear not prepared to do anything serious about it. We as a species fail to look into the future. Our attention is always focused on the here and now. "She'll be right mate" is our attitude to the needs of our future generations. However, we know that we are quickly depleting our planets resources and that in one hundred years time we will be unable to support our current resource needs. Where will we turn to feed our need for fuel, power and even food? It is easy for people to think that space is just science fiction, but in fact space is a daily reality, and may very well be a major contributor to the prosperity and environmental survival of our planet. That is, if people begin to change their perception and realise that to protect our future we must start now.

Not only do space based satellites and technologies help us to monitor our environment, but also help us to protect it. What will happen in the future when we finally run out of resources to power our power stations and drive our trucks and cars? This is not science fiction, and space exploration is not the only answer. However, we must realise that by exploring space now, we are contributing to a better and healthier environment in the future.

If the British Admiralty had not funded James Cooks extended mission to "prove that the great south land exists" Australia would never have been discovered until much later in history. The vast resources of this country, that helped maintain the British Empire for so long, would not have been available, and England would not have had a convenient place to send her prisoners. If Queen Isabella had not risked the equivalent of millions of dollars in today's terms, America would not have been discovered and Spain's economic supremacy over the known world would have waned much earlier than it did. If China had not burnt all of its ships and had continued to explore, perhaps the world would today be a vastly different place? Exploration is a critical need within the human spirit, and we must personally go to touch, see and feel for ourselves. It is time to put the cost of President Bush's space exploration initiative back into context and realise that at some point we must go. His plan is equal to approximately US$55.00 per person in the USA per year. It will be much cheaper to go now than in another hundred year's time!

Yours sincerely,
Tim McEgan
President
National Space Society of Australia Ltd
GPO Box 7048
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Ph (Mobile): 0413 547 150
Email: president@nssa.com.au
Web: www.nssa.com.au

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Mr McEgan is currently a senior consultant and research analyst for Asia Pacific Aerospace Consultants Pty Ltd, a consultancy specialising in the Space industry, particularly serving the Asian region. Prior to taking up this position he was a space risk underwriter for GIO Space Ltd, the world's tenth largest satellite insurance and Reinsurance Company. Mr McEgan is the Treasurer of the Australian Space Industry Chamber of Commerce Inc, and has served on it's Executive Council since 1987. Mr McEgan is also President of the National Space Society of Australia Ltd, having served on the Board since 1993 and joining the organisation in 1989. Mr McEgan has also served on the Board of the National Space Society based in Washington DC. The NSS is an international Space Advocacy and lobbying group with permanent United Nations Observer status which is represented in over 30 countries worldwide.

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Examples of benefits derived from space exploration:

Two commonly cited examples are CAT scans and MRI machines that provide early diagnosis of life threatening diseases in Australians every year, and help save the majority of these people. Other examples are:

• Radiation blocking sunglasses and welding glasses that protect the eyes from UV radiation.
• Miniature Automated insulin pump for diabetics.
• Heat insulated clothing for fire-fighters, and other fire resistant materials such as fire blankets and safety blankets.
• Toxic chemical protection clothing.
• Eye screening systems for ocular health.
• Improved oven and refrigerator insulation saving power and offering improved home protection.
• Some forms of cardio-vascular exercise machines.
• Flame detectors
• Search and rescue beacons for personal hikers, sailors and 4 wheel drive enthusiasts.
• Satellite detection of subsurface lakes and wells in drought affected countries.
• Crop health monitoring and crop inventory.
• Underwater alarms to warn dolphins and porpoises away from gill nets
• Barter exchange system that is now used by the Automated Credit Exchange to exchange Pollution Credits in California and better manage pollution controls in that state.
• Remote sensing to monitor and police rainforest and wild habitat loss.
• Ecosystem modelling to improve our understanding of the ecosystem
• Waste water plant management using plants to purify sewerage and waste water areas.
• Improved home insulation to save on energy and save money.
• Domestic water filters to purify drinking water
• Ceramic coatings to protect bridges and other external constructions from the weather, and protect building superstructures from fire.
• Motion harmonics that suppress vibrations in cars, boats, planes and trains.
• Air pressure insoles for running shoes and sneakers.
• Air membranes to improve insulation and safety in scuba diving suits and heavy duty work boots.
• Solar heating panels for hot water and heated pools
• Competitive ribbed swimsuits, as worn by Australian Olympic swimmers, to improve water flow and increase speed.
• Window Anti fogging agents for car windows, scuba masks, ski goggles, motor-cycle helmets, bathroom mirrors and camera lenses.
• Ergonomic seat designs, such as the ergonomic office chair, coach and aircraft seats etc.
• Ozone friendly alternatives to CFC's for use in manufacturing applications.
• Computer keyboards for disabled people.
• Non toxic industrial strippers (ie: non chemical paint strippers etc)
• Electronic tagging systems, eg anti theft electronic tags.
• Highway and traffic control monitoring systems to reduce traffic congestion and decrease pollution.
• Improved airflow devices for long distance trucks that improve fuel consumption, decrease costs and decrease pollution.
• Reduced aircraft noise and fuel pollution using new engines designed by NASA in co- operation with industry.
• Improved waste recycling technologies to enhance waste recycling opportunities

Posted by apsmith at January 27, 2004 04:16 PM