[meteorite-list] International Partnership Releases Space Exploration Benefits Paper

[Ron Baalke]

September 20, 2013

Joshua Buck
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
jbuck at nasa.gov 
     
MEDIA ADVISORY M13-134
     
International Partnership Releases Space Exploration Benefits Paper

NASA and the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG)  
released a white paper Friday outlining benefits of human exploration of  
space.

The document, titled "Benefits Stemming from Space Exploration," is the  
culmination of a dialog between space agencies participating in the ISECG.  
The goal was to share their views and lessons learned on the nature and  
significance of benefits resulting from space exploration. The paper  
describes the fundamental benefits that are expected to flow from continued  
investment in the missions and activities described in the Global Exploration  
Roadmap, which was released on Aug. 20.

Although not intended to be a definitive statement on exploration's relevance  
to society, the paper reflects the strong commitment by space agencies to  
deliver benefits to everyone on Earth.

The paper outlines the collective benefits of space exploration, including  
expanding our scientific knowledge, inspiring people around the world, and  
forging agreements and cooperation between the countries engaged in the  
peaceful exploration of space. The paper stresses human exploration's effects  
on enhancing our quality of life by improving economic prosperity, health,  
environmental quality, safety and security. The paper also highlights the  
equally important ability for exploration to provide a better understanding  
and new perspectives on our individual and collective place in the universe.

The International Space Station is demonstrating many of these benefits  
today. The orbiting laboratory is the first step in the future exploration  
framework described in the Global Exploration Roadmap. The benefits described  
in this paper provide some of the rationale for the nations wishing to pursue  
the activities highlighted in the roadmap.

To view ISECG's "Benefits Stemming from Space Exploration" and the Global  
Exploration Roadmap, visit:

http://go.nasa.gov/1d0cShx 

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