The Future of Human Space Exploration: Toward Cooperation or Competition?

Abstract

Over the past 52 years, the world has progressed from the first man in space, to landing on the moon, to permanent human presence on manned space stations. Mankind is now poised to explore even farther. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze whether international cooperation or competition is more in the U.S. interest from the perspective of political, technological, and cost-effectiveness criteria for returning humans to the moon, Mars or an asteroid and establishing a permanent presence. The 1960s space race between the U.S. and USSR and current cooperation on the International Space Station will provide a historical basis for comparison. Countries with major space programs will be reviewed for possible partnerships in future space endeavors. This thesis concludes that the future and next steps for human spaceflight with international partners will need to begin as a coordinated and interdependent effort at the onset with the goal of habitation on the moon.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA589762

Entities

People

  • Priscilla M. Adams

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Biomedical
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Astronautics
  • Commerce
  • Governments
  • Intellectual Property
  • International Relations
  • Manned Spacecraft
  • Materials Processing
  • National Security
  • Solar System
  • Space Stations
  • Space Systems
  • Space Transportation
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Orbits
  • Teamwork

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Space