Description
Will megaconstellations/Space deliver all their heavenly promises to Earth?. (with audience Q&A).
New commercially-led Space wields significant economic and geopolitical power over astronomy. Private venture capitalists and public space agencies project vast economic return on investments and increased jobs. LEO and GEO are protected by international regulations.
New Space is painted as a benevolent ‘ecosystem’ serving humanity on Earth, providing important scientific data. At all costs, orbits must be protected. In this global power contest, astronomy is often placed on the sidelines as a non-commercial beautiful scientific endeavour that (when push comes to shove) is secondary to the benefits of New space. But are these promises fact or fiction? This panellists will answer challenging questions such as:
- Is everything launched into LEO/GEO linked to worthwhile scientific or humanitarian endeavours?
- Is the space sustainability movement designed to benefit both New Space and Astronomy?
- Are there alternative options to LEO satellites for launching/deploying payloads?
