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How and why are space missions conducted, and what should the future of human activity in space look like?
Earth, our home, is unique and precious, but it is almost inconceivably tiny compared to the vast expanses that lie beyond it. Through robotic and human missions over the last few decades, we have enriched our understanding of our own changing planet and discovered much about our nearby celestial neighbors, although many mysteries remain. In the 21st century, the space economy has begun to expand rapidly, with increasing involvement of a diverse range of countries and private companies. This expansion presents great opportunities, but also important questions and challenges. What are the scientific and social motivations for exploring space and developing a space economy? Is space exploration best conducted by robots, or are humans needed in the future to make fundamental new breakthroughs? How should space activity by government agencies and non-state actors be regulated? Is building large settlements in space an important societal goal, and if so, who should plan it and pay for it? In this course, you will explore these questions and many more in detail, by studying space science and engineering alongside the social, economic and cultural aspects of space exploration. By developing an understanding of the key technical and scientific issues in the field, you will gain the ability to think critically about debates in the media and among policy experts -- and ultimately develop your own ideas about what humanity’s future in space should look like.