Description
Book SynopsisThroughout history, humans have explored new places, making both good and bad moral decisions along the way. As humanity proceeds to explore space, it is important that we learn from the successes and not repeat the mistakes of the past. This book provides the first comprehensive introduction to ethics as it applies to space exploration and use. It examines real-world case studies that exemplify the ethical challenges we face in exploring beyond Earth: space debris, militarization in space, hazardous asteroids, planetary protection, the search for extraterrestrial life, commercial and private sector activities in space, space settlements, very long duration missions, and planetary-scale interventions. Major themes include human health, environmental concerns, safety and risk, governance and decision-making, and opportunities and challenges of multidisciplinary and international contexts. Ideal for classroom use and beyond, the book provides ways of thinking that will help students, academics and policymakers examine the full range of ethical decisions on questions related to space exploration.
Trade ReviewAn excellent primer on the basic issues of contemporary space ethics, written in a clear, engaging, and evenhanded fashion. There is no better way to introduce yourself to the topic.
Keith Abney, California Polytechnic State University
Table of ContentsCHAPTER 1: Why Space Ethics?
CHAPTER 2: Questions of “Should”: Ethics Applied to Space
CHAPTER 3: Risk and Safety
CHAPTER 4: Space and Human Health
CHAPTER 5: The Dangers of Space Debris
CHAPTER 6: Military, Dual-Use Activities, and International Relations in Space
CHAPTER 7: Protecting Earth from Hazardous Asteroids and Other Extraterrestrial Dangers
CHAPTER 8: Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
CHAPTER 9: Contamination, Planetary Protection, and Responsible Exploration
CHAPTER 10: The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
CHAPTER 11: New Players in Space: New Nations and Commercial, Private, and Non-Governmental Activities in Space
CHAPTER 12: Traveling to the Planets and the Stars: Very Long Duration Spaceflight and Human Biology
CHAPTER 13: Building Your Martian Home: Living in and Settlement of Space
CHAPTER 14: Planetary-Scale Interventions on Earth and Afar
CHAPTER 15: Conclusion
GLOSSARY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
