VISION, TECHNOLOGIES AND ARTS - ABSTRACTS

ABSTRACTS

AUTHORS' BIOS

"The Fifth Season: the Birth of a Baby Solar Civilization" 

The new millennium was not born under a good star. Energy and resources are dramatically shortening, back-warded conflicts threaten our daily life, the global economy is stagnant, lacking of strong industrial development lines. Environmental problems threaten our health and survival. Likely the resources of this planet will not be enough to allow the completion of the asian industrial development. Other conflicts could thus be at the horizon, very much deeper – at philosophical level – wrt the current one, between two monotheist cultures. Decadent cultural vectors unfortunately dominate the western cultural scene; the industrial decline and the stop of the development are generally accepted, when not advocated, by particular recessive philosophies. In general terms, our growth as a sentient species, is very near to its natural limit, in the closed environment of this planet: Homo Sapiens had a springtime, up to Neolithic begin; a summer, from Neolithic revolution to the advent of written cultures; an autumn, with the harvest of our cultural progresses, up to our present days. And we would be now entering the winter, end of our civilization, since we would not have other space nor resources to develop further. But we are an intelligent technologic species. And, btw, we hold a space technology, though at an initial stage. So we have an alternative: we can have a fifth season, after winter. And such a fifth season can only be out of our birth planet. The fifth season – open to millennia to come – can only take place in the extraterrestrial space. A new vision came to give hope: Earth is not sick, she’s Pregnant! And the current global crisis can end with an happy event: the birth of a baby Solar Civilization!

Adriano Autino 

Moncrivello (VC) - Italy

bio

publications (selected papers and editorials)

"The Evolutionary Imperative Driving Human Development in Space" 

In his presentation, Steven Wolfe will suggest that the evolution of technology—culminating in the ability to travel to outer space—was encoded into a genetic blueprint of the Earth. Steven will share his insight that our capacity for space travel was written into humankind's genetic script at the dawn of our existence so that we may eventually serve as the “reproductive agent” of planet Earth and carry her seeds to other celestial shores. As outrageous as this idea may sound, in the context of James Lovelock’s view of Earth as a singular living entity, or “Gaia,” it seems only logical that the planet would be genetically wired to reproduce itself. As humankind awakens to this role, it is recognized as a “symbiotic obligation” we have with the planet that gave rise to our existence. The calling of that obligation is an evolutionary imperative to expand beyond this planet as quickly as possible. By continuing to ignore that call we place the future of life on Earth at risk of premature extinction.

Steven Wolfe

New York - US

bio

"Bootstrapping a Spacefaring Civilization" 

Humankind is starting its way as a spacefaring civilization. This phase is very critical and requires a large use of resources, since all what is needed in the space exploration/exploitation enterprise must be carried in space from the bottom of Earth's gravitational well. The cost of launching equipment and personnel into space is the main factor hindering this effort, and only technological advances will allow humankind to achieve its goals in space. Technology alone is however not sufficient, since commitment and an adequate resources management are also essential. The critical point will be the establishment of a settlement on the Moon (or an asteroid), where resources could be found outside the Earth gravitational well. At this point, although the effort will still be not yet self-supporting, the trend towards a spacefaring civilization will be established. Many technologies, which will be essential for proceeding along this path, cannot be developed on the Earth surface. A typical example is nuclear propulsion, a true keystone toward this goal. Probably what has been done in the 1960s (and unlikely can be done again now for political reasons) is about all what can be done on our planet. Experimental development needs to be done in space, and in this sense the ISS, although still dependent on Earth resources, may well be an essential stepping stone toward space. The bootstrapping effort is something that will involve much more than the participation of a scientific community or a few govermental agencies. It is a cultural as well as an economic and technological enterprise requiring a determination and a foresight at present lacking in our western civilization, much more so in Europe. The effort our generation must do is preparing the ground by building a direct involvement of privates in space activities and a favourable cultural environment.

Prof. Ing. Giancarlo Genta

Torino - Italy

bio

books

www.giancarlogenta.it 

"Cosmic Stones" 

Will humanity's future be a "Space Age" or a "Stone Age"? The human species has reached a pivotal point in its evolutionary history and it appears that the moment has now arrived for it to make a critical choice about its future on Earth and, consequently, about its future in the cosmos. This decision could be called the "Cosmic Choice" which conceivably is a choice that all potential spacefaring civilizations must confront at the appropriate moment in their particular history. The "Cosmic Stones" space art project embodies this decision in a physical and conceptual art work that literally and artistically combines the micro-cosmos with the macro-cosmos, one that utilizes the terrestrial and extra-terrestrial forces of nature in its both concept and realization and one that connects our species' history on Earth with its future destiny in space. The project is designed to proceed in various stages of development including realizations in micro-gravity environments, on space habitats and, ultimately, on the surfaces of other celestial bodies.

Arthur Woods

Stein am Rhein - Switzerland

bio

"Space Tourism: the New Tourism Market" 

From the anthropological point of view, tourism appears as a phenomenon rising from cultural aspects and it is also a powerful factor of cultural change. Culture is the fundamental and determinant component of the wishes of man, who acquires most of the impulses he is submitted to, adapting himself to the surroundings, and, indeed, it also influences the choice of the eventual holiday resort or typology. From the psychological point of view, tourism represents man’s right to dream, tending to break the everyday life routine and the fixed habits. Choosing a particular type of holiday, man is influenced by the difference he perceives between his life quali-quantitative stimulations and the impulses level he regards as optimal. The constant mutations of life styles, the easiness of interrelations, the improving social and economical conditions, the influence of new ideas and values and quick transfers contributed to propose new kinds of social lives, more suitable to change. However, men show different inclinations to accept new ideas, try new products and adopt new habits: thanks to an empirical market research, it’s evident that only the 2-3% of clients aims to try a completely new product. How can Space Tourism fit in this contest? Can it be considered a new touristic product? What kind of perspectives are we going through and which will the new sceneries be?

Dr. Pierluigi Polignano

Roma - Italy

A Pierluigi's article on Space Tourism

bio

"Making Space Happen"

B.S. G. Jim Benson

Poway - California US

bio

"The Economic and Cultural Importance of Space Tourism"

For more than three decades it was widely believed that "..if space tourism was possible, space agencies would have started it". Consequently very few researchers made significant effort to investigate its feasibility. However, since the orbital flight by Dennis Tito on the Russian Soyuz rocket in 2001, and the sub-orbital flight by "SpaceShipOne" in 2004, it has become clear that this belief was based on a misunderstanding about government space agencies.
Initially established by rich countries during the "cold war", space agencies have made no effort to reduce the cost of traveling to and from space, which has not fallen at all since Gagarin's first space flight nearly fifty years ago, despite having spent 1 trillion Euro-equivalents since then. Moreover, government space agencies have no plans to reduce the cost of space travel in the future; they are currently preparing plans to develop a new expendable launch system to return to the Moon.
However, the development of "SpaceShipOne" proved that the cost of reaching space can be a tiny fraction of space agencies' costs. (The budget for the entire project was what Nasa spends every morning before lunch.) Moreover, Nasa-funded market research suggests that even the market just for sub-orbital passenger flights could grow several times larger than the commercial satellite launch market. Based on this, there is a growing probability that low-cost, reusable orbital passenger vehicles will be developed in the coming years. These will not only make orbital tourism a service available to the middle classes, they will also reduce launch costs sufficiently to enable many new activities in space.
Starting the realisation of the "Space Option" in this way will overcome more than three decades of delay: sub-orbital passenger services could and should have started during the 1970s. Most importantly the economical use of space resources which the development of orbital tourism will enable, will definitively eliminate the need for growing international friction over access to the "dwindling resources of Earth". The creation of a clear and realistic vision of an optimistic future of plenty for the human race will in turn surely stimulate a flowering of global culture, a true new Renaissance of Humankind. 

Ph.D Patrick Q. Collins

UK, Azabu - Japan

Azabu University - Kanagawa - JAPAN

Publications

"A Tool For Flexible And Rapid Thermal Analysis And Design In Feasibility And Preliminary Phases Of Space Projects"

Feasibility and preliminary phases of space projects are aimed to answer to the very fundamental question whether a spacecraft (S/C) exists that can fulfil the mission objectives. In particular the thermal engineers must assess whether a possible configuration is feasible from the thermal point of view, or what modifications could make it suitable. The paper presents the Thermal Concept Design Tool (TCDT), a new software tool under development at Blue Engineering and Alenia Spazio for the European Space Agency (ESA), designed with the objective to assist the thermal engineers in reducing at minimum the effort required by simulation activities and focusing mainly on conceptual activities during feasibility and preliminary studies.

Dr. Danilo Lazzeri

Torino - Italy

"Space Science and Education"

Recent studies have shown that although European citizens respect science, they see it as removed from everyday life. One consequence of this is the lack of interest young people show in science: as a matter of fact, fewer youngsters are studying science, thus leading to realize that it is the very passing-on of scientific knowledge to future generations that is at stake. One of the main European Commission’s recommendations is the promotion of science education and culture in Europe: “Schools, colleges and research institutions will be encouraged to play their part in enthusing boys and girls about science and encouraging them to pursue scientific careers. Here, better teaching modules and more science teaching tools are needed …” This recommendation has been a priority in the ESA education policy on space, pursued by trying to establish links with education authorities in each member country, in order to define an effective and officially-approved approach to bringing space into school, thus increasing interest and leading the students to discover unrevealed scientific vocations. In Italy very little has been done up to now. A pro-active and innovative approach focusing on the interests and innate curiosity of young people is therefore needed, as the challenges in science are presumably endless and many bright young minds will be needed in the future to continue moving forward in technology and scientific understanding. The main aim of our non-profit Association, OdisseoSpace, is to diffuse scientific culture and specifically space culture, through information and education activities and the promotion of studies and researches on space policies. OdisseoSpace intends, in fact, to create a network involving schools, universities, research institutes and aerospace industries in order to realize connections throughout the territory, thus paving the way for territorial integration, to give a new guidance for students after high school or degree and open job opportunities in the space field, creating high qualified professional figures. The project “Space: A dimension for Everybody” is an example of our activities in the field.

Adriana L. Parlatini

Milano - Italy

"Innovation means growth: eccellence networks for space projects"

The development of a space projects is not only the achievement of the mission requirements, but also an occasion to find new solutions to innovate products and acquire knowledge for the future. New innovative products are needed and highly recommended by customers, and new ideas and technologies arise continuously by scientists and researchers. Role of the space industry is to promote research and technologies for future applications, in one word to promote the development of products that already have a market perspective. The strategy of Carlo Gavazzi Space in this field foreseen a network of companies, institutions and research centres working together with a synergyc approch to find always updated solutions and to open new fields of innovation. This means working on research anticipating needs and offering easier way to customers to fulfill their goals and to create a virtuous circle for the growth of all players and for the community.

Ing. Lanfranco Zucconi, MSC in Satellite Communication

Milano - Italy

bio

"Space allows humanity – and our spirit – to flourish"

Human development in space is crucial, not so much for science (yes, it is important for science but not crucial), but for our spirit, for the survival of mankind’s spirit. Humanity’s spirit. All humanity. Space, with its proven track record, allows humanity – and our spirit – to flourish. I believe the only way to head off the crisis we face for our planet, for humanity, for pushing forward in space, the only way, is that we surface with our humanity for space, for its power, for its global appeal and we lead with it. We do what our leaders, our politicians, and policy makers, and governments don’t want us to do. We show the world that space is the path to what we all want on this planet, to what this conference is addressing so well. We make sure that the crisis we avert, the crisis we overcome, the crisis we resolve is the looming crisis of seeing our humanity, our spirit, disappear. And this conference can help us find our way.

Dr. David M. Livingston  

Los Angeles - California US

The Space Show

"All of the Above - Opening the Space Frontier" 

As we enter the 21st century, America and the world are facing a host of issues and questions about who we are, why we are here, and where we are going. As ideologies fight for turf and territory on the world stage in a depressing shadow war, our youth are uninspired, evermore drawn into electronic worlds of unreality and the culture of conspicuous consumption, that is wearing thinner everyday. Our environment is in danger, freedom is being challenged and pessimism is growing. Yet just overhead lies a frontier of infinite possibilities, offering the chance to save the planet, create unimaginable wealth and expand the vista of our children's tomorrows literally to the edges of the universe - while uniting our planet under the banner of hope, exploration and possibility. How do we move ourselves upwards and outwards? What do we need to do now? And what can we expect to happen as we expand humanity beyond the Earth? Mr. Tumlinson takes us on a voyage from the pessimism of today to an optimistic future, traveling from the level of Vision to what we need to do right now to show us why and how we must open the space frontier.

Rick Tumlinson 

New York, US

bio

"Atlas Coelestis: music and stars"

"Atlas Coelestis" is a collection of pieces written between 1997 and 2004, conceived as an exploration of the universe, a musical journey in space and time that starts on the night of the 7th of January 1610, the date in which Galileo Galilei points the new-born telescope at the sky and discovers the four satellites that gravitate around Jupiter, upsetting forever the geocentric conception of the Aristotelian universe. The journey, starting from this concept and flying through the notes, leads to the deepest borders of space. After the prelude, Incanto, describing the sense of astonishment felt by Galileo in front of the heavenly vault; after Atlas Coelestis, whose score is a metamorphosis of the astral plan reproducing the appearance of the sky observed by Galileo that historical night; with Lacteus Circulus our eye is captured by the intense twinkling of the myriads of stars of our galaxy; and than we explore, in Orionis Nebula, the amazing gas spirals and powders that hidden the young stars of Trapezium. Pleiades is dedicated to the thick but delicate net of the Pleiades, jewels of the winter nights; while with Pulsar we enter more and more in the depth of archetype sounds, in the cosmos wonders, led by the exact rhythmical beat of the first pulsar discovered in 1967 by Jocelyn Bell. Finally we are irremediably attracted by the black hole of Cygnus X-1, source of X rays in the Cygnus constellation, seized in one of the greatest mysteries of universe: what could we find on the other side of the black hole? The absence of space and time in a unique and multiple dimension? A way to a parallel universes? A space - temporal tunnel? The big bang of a new-born universe in a stratified "multi-verse"? Astrorum nexus closes the circle of compositions with a melody that ploughs the spaces between the stars fading in the depth of cosmos, in the infinity and even beyond...

[Contributions and translation: Dr. Francesca Bonici]

M° Giovanni Renzo, Pianist, Composer

Messina - Italy

www.giovannirenzo.it 

bio

“PRORA-USV: more Aeronautics in Space”

The development and validation of technologies which are able to provide future spacecraft with a wider operational capabilities, is a key factor for a more affordable, easier and quicker access to space. A peculiar aspect of the future spacecraft is indeed the possibility to land on any spaceport, in the same way as a conventional transport aircraft. Such an operational capability requires significant R&T steps ahead. The USV (Unmanned Space Vehicle) program approach consists in the execution of a series of flight tests of increasing complexity, in terms of flight regimes and altitude envelope, with the aim of gradually achieving the final goal of an advanced re-entry capability. For this scope, the design, development and operation of a number of Flying Test Beds (FTBs, real flying research laboratories) represent a relevant effort of the program. System and technology targets that are needed to achieve the final re-entry capability as above depicted, are grouped in two major classes of missions following a complexity criterion related to flight regimes, technologies and launch systems. The first, about to start, will cover the low atmosphere part of a re-entry pattern, from about 35 Km altitude down to land, the main focus being on aero-structural and flight control of a re-entry vehicle at transonic and low supersonic speed. These missions will use a stratospheric balloon as launch system (first stage). The second class of missions, will cover all the flight regimes interested by a complete re-entry pattern, from LEO orbit down to land. These missions, will be accomplished with the FTB_X laboratory, using VEGA as reference launch system. The maiden flight is presently scheduled around 2010. 

See the complete PRORA-USV presentation, with more technical details.

Ph.D. Gennaro Russo

Capua - Italy

bio

“The Space Future Project”

Peter Wainwright

New York - US

bio

"Title to be defined"

Gaetano Partipilo, Musician

Cassano Murge (BA) - Italy

www.gaetanopartipilo.com

bio

"Title to be defined"

Aldo Mella, Musician

Alice Castello (VC) - Italy

bio