Draft of Second Survey Questions

Thank you for your input to the first round of the Key events of the Next 50 years in space! We indeed have some very interesting entries and quotations; we would like to collectively thank you all for your time and effort.

As a synopsis, we would like to present you the most popular choices for the main time scales that were defined (Happening Now, 5 years from now, 10 years from now, 30 years from now and 50 years from now)

-- Results of categories --
--[1]

Prelude:
As you can well imagine, forecasting the key events and their effects on life on Earth as a civilization embarking into further destinations in Space is a rather tricky task. To help us develop more on your initial thoughts, we have formulated a short second survey. Please think of the following topics and provide your input to each question. Should you wish to abstain from answering a particular question, please fill the comments field with “N/A” (without the quotes).

We urge you to keep one thing in mind before embarking on responses – the last 50 years have seen an unprecedented surge in new technologies and developments that have changed the way we have live. Developments in the IT, Communications, social structures and new business models has allowed to overcome hurdles that have seemed impossible to solve since decades, or even centuries. Hence, extrapolating pace of new discoveries and developments, we would like to know what you think would be important given the event described is about to occur at some interval, even if you think that it is impossible. (For e.g., Effect of discovery of extra solar life on human civilization. Please answer it even if you believe that there is no extra solar life) – [2]

End notes
[1]
very brief, or in hyperlink; so that those who do not wish to look at them are spared
[2] I personally think this is important, but we can take this out. Maybe we should give them a choice – please comment

Please add in your inputs above and here. I just wanted to make a start, I look forward to entries.

The use of space-based tools in disaster mitigation, telemedicine, and Earth resources

Ensuring the peaceful use of outer space

Space colonization: Is it needed? What is needed? What are some of the implications?

Astronomical observations from the far side of the moon

The role of space for commercial applications (e.g., communication base, space tourism and entertainment)

Social, theological, philosophical, and public policy implications of finding Earth-like planets and the discovery (or not) of extraterrestrial life

The role of space exploration to solve critical societal needs such as mining of minerals from the moon or asteroids and 3He to address energy needs

Another angle that you might like might like to consider is how people feel the top ranking visions can be accomplished. Given that they have provided a range of visions and timelines, we could ask them for steps or ideas on how to get them done. Thoughts?

I really like the way you have phrased the subquestions above, Bee. Are those questions drawn from the popular responses?

Chris

Ok my apologies for the delay. Internet connection failed temporarily. Good to see so much going on all of sudden. I like many of the ideas that have been expressed though I think some tweaking could improve things. My own views on the angle of the second article tend to follow those metioned by Chris. This second round should primarily be an attempt to delve deeper and glean more detail on those topics noted as most important in round one. Many of Quantums questions seem to fit pretty well into that category so I may not need to suggest as many.

- Results of categories --
--[1]

Prelude:
As you can well imagine, forecasting the key events and their effects on life on Earth as a civilization embarking into further destinations in Space is a rather tricky task. To help us develop more on your initial thoughts, we have formulated a short second survey. Please think of the following topics and provide your input to each question. Should you wish to abstain from answering a particular question fill the comments field with “N/A” (without the quotes).

We urge you to keep one thing in mind before embarking on responses: The last 50 years have seen an unprecedented surge in new technologies and developments that have changed the way we live. Developments in IT, Communications, social structures and business models have allowed us to overcome hurdles that have seemed impossible to solve for decades, or even centuries. Hence, extrapolating the pace of new discoveries and developments, we would like to know what you think would be most important given that the event described is about to occur, even if you think that it is impossible. (ex., The effect of discovery of extrasolar life on human civilization. Please answer it even if you believe that there is no extrasolar life) – [2]

Fixed a few grammatical errors. The general idea is a good one but for my part I would do some rephrasing.

End notes
[1]
very brief, or in hyperlink; so that those who do not wish to look at them are spared
[2] I personally think this is important, but we can take this out. Maybe we should give them a choice – please comment
--

Not quite sure I understand what you are saying in [2]

Format - These are EXAMPLES

Second Round Survey questions:
Please state 1,2, 3 in order of importance and please use the comments box for additional explanation.

[Category: The use of space-based tools in disaster mitigation, telemedicine, and Earth resources]
Q: What in your opinion is a necessary step that would help achieve the maximum benefit of these ‘humanitarian’ services:
 Data – share policy that allows for dissemination of all information in near-to-real time, possibly from a central source
 Better outreach of these services
 End users seldom understand how space technologies pay a role in their daily lifes, hence data should be distributed to a grassroots level in a useful way
 Adopt-a-space program type activities, wherein non-space-faring countries can either utilize and learn from another country’s ‘Earth and humanitarian’ applications space program
 Comments box

[Category: Ensuring the peaceful use of outer space]
Q. Several of you felt that the current space law regime as prescribed in the Outer Space Treaty and several related documents needed to be revisited and updated in line with the current and future space activities. What do you feel would be a suitable solution to this: [3]
 Keep the current space treaties, whilst making it compulsory for countries to register defense related space missions via a unbiased international supervisory body
 Amend the current space treaties, but specifically for the destination – for e.g. cis lunar, lunar (for appropriation and use of its resources), hence giving it time to evolve as and when the international space community thinks suitable
 A treaty amendment can only be possible under the mandate of a common body – hence formulation of an international space agency
 The current treaties can be amended and a taxation regime should be set up for commercial –for profit activities on specific space destinations as well as defence activities.

We can have follow on questions if required.
 Comment box

End notes
[3]
This becomes an ‘one choice question, there must be a way to formulate it so that it remains something where people can show their preferences as 1,2, 3…
--

Its a great format if we want easier processing (Given the time shortage this may well be the case). In the last survey we left a lot more room for people to express ideas we hadn't thought of. To my mind that was one of the most imporant things we learned: What people out there were coming up with on their own. I think we should include that in this survey round as well to at least some extent. A mix of question types might be best.

The use of space-based tools in disaster mitigation, telemedicine, and Earth resources

Ensuring the peaceful use of outer space

Space colonization: Is it needed? What is needed? What are some of the implications?

Astronomical observations from the far side of the moon

The role of space for commercial applications (e.g., communication base, space tourism and entertainment)

Social, theological, philosophical, and public policy implications of finding Earth-like planets and the discovery (or not) of extraterrestrial life

The role of space exploration to solve critical societal needs such as mining of minerals from the moon or asteroids and 3He to address energy needs

Good ideas but they seem to be very broad in scope. We might want to focus in just a little more if possible.

Thanks Bee for the good questions. If you guys can rapidly revise the questions, I will make the survey form for you to test. Just let me know when you are ready to go. Please email me to make sure you get my attention.

Chris

Will do

Another angle that you might like might like to consider is how people feel the top ranking visions can be accomplished. Given that they have provided a range of visions and timelines, we could ask them for steps or ideas on how to get them done. Thoughts?

I really like the way you have phrased the subquestions above, Bee. Are those questions drawn from the popular responses?

This is the direction that makes the most sense to me. An increased narrower focus for people to really get in the details of their opinions be happening.

Hi Bee! I LOVE your survey question suggestions. And how you have a choice of answers to prevent too-varied responses from the people so late in the survey timeline.

From the most popular responses (moon base, colonization of Mars, world cooperation in space, space tourism) we could ask these questions:

Moon Base:

What should a base on the moon be most used for (or, where should our priorities be when we build the base on the moon): For energy needs on Earth, as a base for scientific study or as a stepping stone for missions to other parts of the solar system?

Which minerals should we mine the moon for, specifically? What technology should we develop in order to mine the moon most efficiently? (unless this is too technical a question?) And should energy needs on Earth be the priority while mining the moon?

Mars:

What new technology should we focus on to achieve human colonization on Mars, and what should the budget be to develop these new technologies?

Should we accomplish human colonization of Mars for scientific purposes, or to allow humanity to spread out through the solar system (relieve pressure on Earth)? Where should our priorities be?

International Cooperation:

Should we develop an entirely new international organization to govern space, or should a new committe be formed inside of an existing organization?

Who should get together to form this organization or committee?

When does this committee need to be formed?

Space tourism:

What should be done to give the average person access to space tourism?

SHOULD the average person have access to space tourism?

What should the world governments do in terms of the private space industry?

Should the world governments give control of developing space technology over to the private space industry?

Very nice selection of questions here. Hard to choose really. I would suggest that we start picking out our favorites and compiling them in the next few days to get a complete list. We can post which ones are our favorites and the overlapping ones will become part of the survey. Questions forthcoming

Guys, we are pretty much out of time now, and need to get this second survey up and running ASAP.

I ask you to think again about the purpose of this workshop, the theme and the opportunity at hand:

• The workshop is to celebrate the last 50 years of space flight and discuss visions for the next 50, and will directly address this topic. Our output must be compatible and make an impact in this direct area.
• The hosting symposium has the theme/title "The Future of Space Exploration; Solutions to Earthly Problems". How do our visions fit in this?
• We have this incredible wealth of data at hand already. What exactly to we need to know to make an impactful statement at the workshop?

Don't forget that if you have great ideas for other surveys, we can always do another one later! Let's concentrate at the goal at hand and maximise the opportunity we will have at Boston next month. How do we get this done quickly and effectively?

Chris

Cheers,
Chris