Truisms: Truths Or Lies?​

PREAMBLE

I participated in the Model G20 Virtual Summit “An ealthier Earth and Beyond” held by Knovva Academy from July 19 to July 24, 2021. In the simulation, I epresented Saudi Arabia; I was the vice president. In this position paper, I will share my observations, ideas, and views on space exploration. I submit this paper for the consideration of member nations of the G20. Even though I am under 18 years of age, I have drafted effective policies, which can benefit not only one country, but the entire world. I believe that the involvement of youth leaders in global issues leads to more unique and apt solutions. I would like to thank Knovva Academy, the G20 Task Force, the G20 community, as well as, Amy Hubbard, Martha McMorran, Amanda Rhoden, and Yvette Huang, for editing and designing the paper.

With the advancements in technology, humans have set foot on the Moon, have viewed Mars closely with robotic eyes, have sent objects far away in space, and are beaming signals far in space. The next ilestones present the need to manage a sustainable future and also to establish artificial settlements on other celestial bodies.

NEED TO EXPLORE AND TO EXPAND IN SPACE

Exploring space depicts the economical and technological status of a nation. Exploring space gives nations a better understanding about space and at the same time, it enables us to know more about our own planet in terms of Earth’s geography and axial spin, sun’s distance, planet rientations, galaxies, pulsars, black holes, other solar systems, etc. In an attempt to learn even more about space, NASA is experimenting with technologies (propulsions, settlement plans, etc.), which is part of the reason why it is renowned as the most advanced space organization in the world. Further, the satellites which orbit Earth, provide nations with important information such as: eographical location, natural alamities, nfiltrations by people, pollution levels, the ability to collect nformation/data on other countries, to provide telecommunications, serving the army, etc. Before we could explore our solar system, a Space Race was initiated between the Soviet Union and the United States of America. The core concept of the space race was to set out new ilestones and to gain access to new information. The Space Race began on October 4, 1957 when the first satellite was put into orbit by the Soviet Union.

Later, in 1961 the first human was sent into space also by the Soviet Union, seeing that the United States of America decided to jump ahead in the Space Race with the famous Moon landing on July 19, 1969, after several Apollo missions had failed. Clearly after the Moon landing, the USA had won the Space Race, advancing past all achievements of the Soviets. Then in 1975 USA(NASA), with its Viking Programme, landed on Mars and got back important samples of the Martian landscape. August 6, 2012 the famous Curiosity Rover touchdown on Mars gave the USA a lot of information about the Martian surface. To achieve these milestones these nations have put in extensive research which led to the evolution of technology and have added to the knowledge of human civilization. In July 2021, two billionaires who own private space companies, launched themselves into space, this could only be achieved due to the technological advancements in the space industry. This event marked the beginning of privatization of space, when organizations, such as NASA, began funding private companies, like Space-X. Over the past few years the space industry has been transformed and has been led by both individual government/organizations such as USA (NASA), Russia (ROSCOSMOS), China (CNSA), India(ISRO) and Japan(JAXA), etc as well as, private space companies; all of whom have ambitious plans to promote space tourism, expansion, and exploration. Space exploration doesn’t just provide information about our planet and beyond, it also provides a way to combat climate change and overcrowding of cities. Many nations and private space companies have come forward to set up human settlements on the Moon and Mars. Out of many, two prominent plans were created, one of which is the Artemis Accords. This plan is led by the USA in joint collaboration with other nations, which aims to return humans to the Moon by 2024 and then gradually set up a Lunar base. The other is setting up the first space hotel by 2027 led by the Gateway Foundation. To expand, we need to make the concepts of space expansion more familiar to people. If not today, in the next fifty years, satellites will be travelling to planets with crew, just as airplanes do. Looking at the future, it is evident that the date of a Martian and a Lunar base is not far away. When people go and reside in these settlements the population will be distributed, this will lead to a decrease in vehicles, industrial demands and carbon footprints, by spreading people in space, the effects of climate change can be slowed down.

POLICY DESCRIPTIONS

Countering space debris- Space debris is a serious problem, every year tiny residue pieces damage solar panels and satellites. With each and every nation demonstrating its space power, they are adding more to the space debris. There are a handful of ways to not only reduce space debris, but also to repurpose it.

Powering satellites through microwave current/SBSP (Space Based Solar Power)- The next challenge that settlements on Mars/Moon, space hotels, faraway probes, and mining probes will face is power shortage. Solar power is not enough to supply power to such huge machines as it is not available in sufficient amounts to far away planets. To resolve this issue, Space Based Solar Power (SBSP) will be employed.

Asteroid mining and managing sustainability- The next milestones will be to supply Martian/Lunar bases with supplies of metals for manufacturing and making them relatively self sufficient; asteroid mining will be the way to manage sustainability.

SUMMARY

Space exploration is a new frontier for humanity as it brings the most unique discoveries in front of human eyes. In the decades after the 1980’s space exploration has advanced rapidly.

The real benefit of space exploration will be to live on other planets. But for the ignition of this milestone, humans have to make sure that they do not end up creating a space junk trap around Earth by launching unnecessary satellites. Thus collaborative missions shall be encouraged. Space can also be cleaned in a number of ways using technological aid.

The other challenge that will be encountered in space expansion is to power far away settlements and probes for this SBSP will come into action. Yet for the SBSP to succeed on such large scales humans need to upgrade the technology which converts microwaves into current and vice-versa. Technology like these exists now, when we hear the term wireless charging.

Once our first settlements on other celestial bodies are set up, an efficient and safe transportation system is needed to supply our space industries and settlements with minerals. These minerals will be derived from mining the asteroids. This will help humans to achieve sustainability and also to make the settlements relatively self sufficient. The way climate change has become a global topic of concern has revolutionized the concept of sustainable development, similar techniques have to be used for space exploration and expansion. It’s the responsibility of our generation to ensure efficient, safe and eco-friendly means of exploring space. With the discovery of new technologies, we achieve efficiency, while minimising the damage to the environment. New technologies in space sciences are being discovered for the fast expansion of humans in space and to enhance advanced space exploration.