Leading Scientists, Astronauts Share Insights On Why Space Exploration Matters At WGS 2018 Space Settlement Forum

 The practicalities, opportunities and challenges of space exploration were under the spotlight at the Space Settlement Forum on the inaugural day of the sixth World Government Summit (WGS 2018) in Dubai. The series of sessions attempted to answer the question: “In this era of inequality and serious issues facing mankind, such as climate change and political instability, is space exploration necessary?”

It is necessary for resources, according to several experts. The prospect of tapping into Mars water was examined throughout the sessions. NASA released the Mars Water In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) Planning Study, last year, which looked into how astronauts could reach for the Red Planet water. Richard Davis, Assistant Director for Science and Exploration in the Science Mission Directorate at Nasa HQ said: “With the world facing water depletion, we are turning to Mars. In the coming years, we expect to find water that we know is on Mars, and I am convinced these extreme environmental conditions compel society to constantly innovate to find solutions.”

In ‘Space Exploration in the Heart of Earth’, Her Excellency Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Advanced Sciences, championed greater investment in science, to boost the intellectual knowledge supporting the UAE and driving its economy.

Astronauts Dr. Mae Jemison, Dr. Chris Hadfield and Dr. Cady Coleman offered inspiring first-hand experiences from their time in outer space. Chris Hadfield said: “There’s nothing that crosses the technical, and the artistic, like holding onto a spaceship in the universe.”