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Human Rights in Space
By Bente Lilja Bye | November 16th 2008 07:37 AM | 5 comments | Print | E-mail | Track Comments
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About Bente Lilja Bye

Earth science expert and astrophysicist writes about Earth observation, geodesy, climate change, geohazards, water cycle and other science related topics.

I've worked as Research Director... Full Bio

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. As part of the commemoration of this event, the space shuttle Endeavour brought a version of it up to the International Space Station 15th November 2008.


Credit: NASA/JSC

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights will reside in the European Columbus laboratory of the space station.


Credit: ESA/NASA
A view of the European Columbus laboratory installed in its new home on the International Space Station.

When you read science sites and perhaps generally about space in media, you get the impression space activities are all about the science and technology. Well, it is not. Let us not forget how it started. As a highly political military race between the US and Soviet Union (Russia). Space is still first and foremost political. Why do you think China and India is focusing so much of their resources on this field?

I am therefore pleased to see that UN, together with NASA and ESA, decided to use the International Space Station and the shuttle program to make another type of political statement. :-)



Comments

Hank's picture
Just as a question in sociology, what benefit does India's unmanned lunar mission have politically?  Yes, it is a source of pride and that motivates people to continue to achieve big things but that is not really politics.

Hank Campbell | 11/16/08 | 12:52 PM
Stellare's picture
India demonstrates their ability to send spacecrafts to the moon. That is a political statement on the same level as when US and Russia, China and Japan showcase their space skills. Between the lines is a message that says something like 'we master space so don't you try anything funny now.' But not only that.

The US and Russia are still pretty much in the lead, but Japan is also a big player. China was only the third nation that independently launched manned spacecrafts. China started by sending unmanned spacecrafts and is now demonstrating that they have the skills, will and means to go further. It is highly political.

I've noticed when reading space news from particularly NASA that even if the projects are very much a cooperation they omit mentioning ESA for instance. It is a very competitive activity with political motives. The space agencies cooperate but are at the same time rivals. It is a bit like flexing your muscles, if you like. And it has military implications.

When you look at the budgets of space activities and compare them to other fields of science you hardly find any nation willing to invest on the same level. It was, is and will always be a political statement. If it weren't for the politics, space activities would never be funded at this level. I have worked as a science policy maker for a decade. I know how hard it is to convince politicians to invest in science and technology.

And I have to disagree with you when you say that motivating your people and inspire them to achieve great things for their nation is not political. That is very much politics. Look at what Obama does with America these days. I guess it depends on your political color, but Obama is said to be a great motivator and inspires people. That is politics, bringing America back in the lead seat, isn't it?

I can write books on how political science in general deep down is by the way. I know from when I planned and led an expedition to Tibet...:-)

Bente Lilja Bye | 11/16/08 | 15:31 PM
Steve Davis's picture
While we're talking politics, let's not forget that the exploration of space is an exercise in socialism no different to the Wall St bail-out. Just as the Wall St bail-out was a public subsidy to private profit, so also when space activities become commercially viable private companies will step in for the harvest with little or no recognition of the public contribution to their success.

Steve Davis | 11/16/08 | 16:11 PM
Stellare's picture
There are numerous applications of space science and technology, some of which directly benefit society (ref Improving Daily Life for instance). That can be seen as socialism I guess. I have noticed that Americans use the word socialism as some sort of curse from time to time. In Europe we tend to have a different perspective on the word and I will not go into that. That'll be way too much politics. :-)

If I understand you correctly you fear that the public investments will not benefit the general public but only a handful of business sharks, like the ones living and thriving on Wall street. If we ignore the military and business/innovation elements and just look at the science it is clear that we will continue to benefit from that in various sectors. Regardless of private companies 'steeling' the results of the vast public investments for their own commercial benefit; as you suggest, the science will benefit us all to greater or lesser degrees.

I agree that both politicians, the general public and industry could be more appreciative of the success of space activities. But like I said, most don't reflect on the complexity of space activities and have a hard time appreciating what it means to us in our daily life.

It is politics in supporting your country's businesses. Space competence can give your industry a competitive edge.  The return for public investment in space comes in terms of employment and taxes for instance - and life saving products.

I'd argue that in case this is the socialism you refer to, it is a good kind of socialism even if we feed a few sharks for free. :-)

Bente Lilja Bye | 11/16/08 | 20:01 PM
Steve Davis's picture
Your understanding of the word socialism is much the same as mine. (I'm not from the US.) I threw it in because it seems many in the US have an unnecessarily negative view of the issue.
I am concerned that despite putting up the bulk of the money and taking the bulk of the risk the public will only get a trickle down benefit. Corporations have made sure that their intellectual property rights became a central plank of free trade agreements, but I doubt we'll see corporations mounting a fierce defence of the public's right to intellectual property in this field.
As one connected to the business you naturally (and correctly) have a positive view of the possibilities, but as one living outside the US you would also appreciate the concerns many people have regarding what appears to be a desire by the US to dominate the field. Militarisation of space by the US also forces others to become involved in a military space race.  

Steve Davis | 11/17/08 | 16:53 PM

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