The Royal Aeronautical Society Discussion Paper on Human Spaceflight Pat Norris Chairman, RAeS Space Group June 2006

RAeS Discussion Paper on human spaceflight, June Space Activities at RAeS magazines, journal, lectures, workshops, conferences –at RAeS HQ in London W1 –at Branches across the UK and world-wide events in 2005 included: –March: John Zarnecki on Huygens –April: Will Whitehorn on Virgin Galactic –May: Bob Chesson on manned spaceflight –June: Stuart Eves on military space –September: Ruy Pinto on Inmarsat 4 –November conference on near earth objects –December: David Southwood on Mars, Titan and beyond recent events: –May 10 th : Venus Express –May 30 th : GNSS & air traffic management –June 7 th : space tourism conference

RAeS Discussion Paper on human spaceflight, June Human spaceflight Phase out of the Shuttle and the success of SpaceShipOne mark a turning point in manned spaceflight RAeS has produced a Discussion Paper on the subject to help inform UK policy* factors we consider relevant: –technology developments (e.g. Moore’s law) continue to make robotic satellites more cost effective –exploration out to and on the moon can largely be done robotically with man-in-the-loop via radio link: telerobotics –if exploration of Mars needs man-in-the-loop then you would require human presence on the spot: but by the time men get to Mars, robotics will be able to do considerably more than today especially if you spend even a small proportion of the funds foreseen for human exploration on robotic improvements * Aerospace Professional, December 2005, pp14-16 How will Burt Rutan’s technology evolve? What comes after the Shuttle?

RAeS Discussion Paper on human spaceflight, June Humans in space – conclusions for discussion 1.use robotic exploration of the moon to assess the need for man-in-the-loop on Mars 2.an astronomical observatory on the moon is a scientifically interesting objective of lunar missions: and an area of particular UK expertise 3.high cost “prestige” manned spaceflight programmes are out of step with UK public opinion, but 4.there is intense public interest in human spaceflight and in planetary exploration affordably 5.the Virgin Galactic initiative, building on SpaceShipOne, warrants serious government support, e.g. on the regulatory front, and by supporting related technologies and services Beagle 2: for the cost of an astronaut’s glove International Space Station – $100B well spent? DARPA’s Grand Challenge - technology for planetary rovers?

RAeS Discussion Paper on human spaceflight, June Your views are sought the Royal Aeronautical Society Discussion Paper on human spaceflight is available at with instructions on how to respond or me at we anticipate that this subject will attract continued and increasing attention over the next few years, so we welcome views on how best the UK can participate the July issue of Aerospace Professional will include a report on feedback from RAeS members will test opinion in the USA at Space 2006 in September aiming for a comprehensive review of the feedback and issuing an updated Discussion Paper in late 2006 Thank you