Table Of Contenti
The Value of Science in Space Exploration
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The Value of Science
in Space Exploration
James S. J. Schwartz
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1
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For all who work to improve upon on our understanding of the universe.
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. . . there are mysteries that ride on the Sun’s rays, majesties in the swirling gases and
chunks of matter, and humans will benefit by learning to see other worlds, other events
where they are for what they are, as surely as they benefit by having air, water, and soil.
The historical struggle, repeated now in ourselves, has always been to get a big enough
picture; and now we stand at an exciting place: one world trying to figure out the others.
— Holmes Rolston, III
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CONTENTS
Preface ix
Introduction: Subtle Shift in Emphasis 1
1. Rationales for Space Exploration: A Review and Reconsideration 11
2. The Intrinsic Value of Scientific Knowledge and Understanding 47
3. The Instrumental Value of Scientific Knowledge and Understanding
and the Rationale for Space Science 89
4. The Scope and Justification of Planetary Protection 122
5. The Need for Forbearance in Space Resource Exploitation 155
6. The Need for Forbearance in Space Settlement 183
Epilogue: Fate Amenable to Change 206
Appendix A: Degree Conferral and Federal Funding 211
Appendix B: Public Opinion on Evolution and Space 237
References 241
Index 255
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PREFACE
I am often asked how I came to work on issues related to space exploration—
an unconventional specialization for a philosopher. And, while I have been
passionate about space exploration for as long as I can remember, attended
Space Camp as a child, and graduated from the same high school as former
NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver, the actual story is unromantic: One
morning, following a night out with friends, I found myself wondering
why I had never seen any philosophy papers about space exploration. So, on
a friend’s couch, groggy and dehydrated, I retrieved my laptop and started
writing what would eventually become my first publication. Months of re-
search and revisions uncovered a modicum of philosophical work on space.
Since then, it has been pleasing to witness and participate in the steady growth
and development of philosophy of space exploration. This book provides the
first unified, detailed, and substantive exposition and defense of my views on
space exploration, especially those pertaining to the absolute and relative im-
portance of scientific aspects of spaceflight. My overarching argument is that
space science is uniquely epistemically and ethically valuable, and that this
value should play a foundational role in thinking about space policy, regula-
tion, and spaceflight objectives.
As anyone who has worked on projects related to space exploration is
aware, space research is highly multidisciplinary. This is apparent in obvious
ways— the successful planning and implementation of space missions of any
kind require individuals from diverse disciplinary backgrounds (engineers,
scientists, technicians, astronauts, administrators, politicians, etc.) working
in concert to solve varied and difficult problems associated with spacecraft
design and construction, mission goals and budgets, mission implementation,
and so forth. A similar phenomenon is apparent when it comes to space policy
research. Viable and meaningful contributions to space policy discussions are
possible only through the acquisition of a broad base of working knowledge
related to space exploration.
Engineers and space scientists interested in joining space policy discussions
will quickly find they must first learn something about philosophy, political
