The Kazakh Steppe, an expansive grassland expanse extending from northern Kazakhstan into Russia, hosts the Baikonur Cosmodrome, recognized as the world’s most ancient space launch facility.
In the annals of human history, the realms of outer space have often been a source of profound inspiration, catalysing the creation of beloved science fiction sagas such as “Star Trek” and “Star Wars.” The epic journeys of the USS Enterprise and the Millennium Falcon have captured the imaginations of generations, transcending the boundaries of our terrestrial existence to explore the boundless possibilities of the cosmos.
The Chandrayaan-3 mission marked a significant achievement for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). In its congratulatory message, ISRO celebrated the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar surface, conveying a triumphant sentiment. International media outlets also lauded ISRO for this noteworthy accomplishment. India has achieved the distinction of being the first nation to execute a soft landing in proximity to the lunar South Pole region. There has been substantial discourse regarding the cost-effectiveness of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, given its budgetary allocation of $75 million, representing approximately half the expenditure incurred in the production of the Hollywood blockbuster “Interstellar,” which had a budget of $165 million.
Neil Armstrong’s iconic proclamation, “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” has served as an enduring source of inspiration for countless individuals worldwide. Subsequent advancements in space technology and scientific understanding have expanded the horizons of human exploration. Nevertheless, amidst this progress, a fundamental question frequently arises: the mere capability to undertake certain endeavours in the realm of space does not necessarily equate to ethical justification for their pursuit.
Militarization of Space
The realm of outer space is presently evolving as a prospective arena for military operations. The rapid proliferation of spaceborne assets by various nations carries the potential to instigate a heightened competition for military superiority in space, akin to an arms race. Furthermore, the multifunctional utility of satellites renders them susceptible to becoming strategic targets in prospective extraterrestrial conflicts.
Satellites stationed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) play an instrumental role in augmenting terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure, facilitating global internet connectivity, and enhancing meteorological and climatic monitoring capabilities. Nevertheless, the burgeoning presence of LEO satellites within the celestial sphere is concurrently exacerbating concerns associated with space debris, thereby amplifying the associated economic and safety hazards.
Threats to Human Life
Only after the tragic cabin fire incident that occurred within the confines of the Apollo 1 command module in the year 1967, resulting in the lamentable demise of astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee, did NASA’s Mission Control Centre begin to accord a notably heightened degree of consideration to the inherent perils associated with human space exploration.
Each astronaut embarking upon a sojourn into the realm of outer space effectively functions as a quintessential human research subject. Individuals venturing into the expanse of space endure substantially heightened levels of radiation exposure in comparison to any terrestrial counterpart. Regrettably, at present, no efficacious methodologies exist for complete mitigation or shielding from the deleterious effects of cosmic radiation. The pernicious consequences of radiation exposure encompass an elevated proclivity for afflictions such as leukaemia, circulatory maladies, cataracts leading to visual impairment, cognitive deficits, memory impairment, and the potential for transmissible genetic anomalies and infertility. Astronauts have exhibited reluctance to participate in experiments that encroach upon their ability to obtain sufficient restorative sleep during their sojourns in space.
Environmental and Astro biological Issues:
The Kazakh Steppe, an expansive grassland expanse extending from northern Kazakhstan into Russia, hosts the Baikonur Cosmodrome, recognized as the world’s most ancient space launch facility. It bore witness to the historic launches of Sputnik 1 and Vostok 1, representing the inauguration of artificial satellite technology and human spaceflight, respectively. These endeavours employed unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) as a propellant due to its ignition-agnostic attributes, remarkable energy-yielding capacity, and room-temperature storage stability. Paradoxically, scientists often referred to UDMH as the “devil’s venom” due to its extreme carcinogenicity to humans, leading to grievous ecological consequences in the expansive Kazakh Steppe region. Reports indicate the precipitation of UDMH upon the grasslands, resulting in soil contamination with long-lasting repercussions. Consequently, the assertion that spaceflight exerts little or no environmental impact is manifestly fallacious.
Beyond these ecological concerns, critical questions arise regarding the safeguarding of labour rights for individuals engaged in space-related employment. Present discourse habitually incorporates terminology such as ‘deep-space travel’, ‘terraforming’ encompassing the concepts of ‘settlers’, ‘frontiers’, and ‘colonies’ in discussions pertaining to space travel and tourism. Considering this prevailing context, it is incumbent upon us not to dismiss entirely the prospects of prospective space colonization and the ethical issues it entails. The idea of colonizing other planets and potentially terraforming them to make them habitable raises ethical questions about the rights of indigenous species (if any), the preservation of the planet’s natural environment, and the impact on future generations.
While considerable attention has been devoted to the safeguarding of satellites and spacecraft in outer space, relatively scant consideration has been afforded to the prospective consequences of contamination and detriment inflicted upon extraterrestrial environments and potential life forms. The intrinsic challenges in discerning the impacts of terrestrial life on alien ecosystems notwithstanding, the historical record of invasive species and pathogens engendering deleterious effects upon indigenous biota on Earth portends the potentially grievous ramifications of interplanetary contamination.
The extraterrestrial realms, encompassing distant planets and inhospitable locales, prompt contemplation regarding the extent of their environmental significance to humanity. It can be posited that our vested concern for Earth’s environment primarily emanates from its facilitation of the sustenance of diverse species. In this vein, an analogous perspective may be extended to other celestial bodies, such as planets and moons, with the potential to harbour life forms.
To navigate these ethical quandaries effectively, it becomes imperative to foster an environment conducive to heightened public discourse and engagement concerning the ethical ramifications stemming from nascent space-related concerns. Ensuring that the pursuit of space exploration remains harmonious with our fundamental values and interests necessitates a heightened commitment to ethical deliberation, thereby affording an improved milieu for the exploration of ethical dimensions in the realm of space endeavours.
https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-navigating-the-ethical-frontiers-of-space-exploration-from-chandrayaan-3-triumphs-to-cosmic-conundrums-3248262/
