The Need for Continuous Space Exploration

Space exploration is not simply a sign of humanity’s hubris in continually trying to push the boundaries a little further. It has actually been a source of genuine improvements for the inhabitants of planet Earth. Indeed, today’s space missions may enable us to find the host planets of tomorrow. Materials developed and tested in space, under unique conditions that are difficult to replicate on earth, can give rise to stronger, lighter, higher-performance products. One of the experiments conducted by ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet onboard the International Space Station (ISS), for example, involved testing innovative materials designed to prevent bacterial contamination. Culture and Inspiration. Space exploration offers a unique and evolving perspective on humanity's place in the Universe, which is common to all.

Every day, space exploration missions fulfill people's curiosity, producing fresh data about the solar system that brings us closer to answering profound questions that have been asked for millennia: What is the nature of the Universe? Is the destiny of humankind bound to Earth? Are we and our planet unique? Is there life elsewhere in the Universe? The success has been impressive and space systems continue to drive innovation, support world‐class science, provide vital services, and are part of the daily life of the common citizen. Service‐driven space systems are an overwhelming part of space activity today. The benefits from space exploration are rooted in the generation of new knowledge, which is the first reward and which has inherent value to humankind. Technological knowledge, generated when high‐performance space systems are developed to address the extreme challenges of space missions, yields many innovations that benefit the public.