Lessons from the past

How can lessons of the past inform our decisions for a better space future?


History serves not only as a mere chronicle of past events but also as a guide that imparts universal lessons and transformative processes for the future of humanity. As we stand at the intersection of a remarkable era of exploration, technology, and finance, we must learn from the past to inform our decisions for a better space future. Humans’ historical expeditions over the centuries offer a fitting analogy for our present circumstances. However, as these expeditions were often driven by the desire for profit and conquest rather than the pursuit of knowledge and discovery, we must examine their triumphs and tribulations to develop effective frameworks that inform philosophical and legal approaches to future space exploration.

Key accomplishments

  • Established a collaboration with the Astra Carta, a document led by King Charles III of the United Kingdom that outlines a framework and principles for space sustainability.
  • Participated in the Astra Carta Zero Draft consultation workshops that examined the integration of sustainability and space exploration lessons learned.
  • Secured a partnership with AstroForge for $10,000 in matching funds for developing their prototype data aggregation and trends tool.

Project contact: 

Dr. Elena Rocchi

Funding years:

2023-2024

Team members

Dr. Elena Rocchi

Head of Architecture, Undergraduate Program, The Design School

Chris Hadfield

Astronaut, space business consultant, author

External Co Lead

Dr. Kimberly Binsted

Principal investigator for the HI-SEAS (Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation) program

Rejane Cantoni

Artist

Rejane Cantoni is an artist based in São Paulo, Brazil. She studied communication, semiotics, visualization of information systems, and kinematic interfaces in both São Paulo, Brazil, and Geneva, Switzerland. She holds multiple graduate degrees and has taught mathematics, physics, and technology at the Catholic University of São Paulo.

Teri Knoll Binaei

Art+Production

Jim Bell

ASU School of Earth and Space Exploration

Jose Acain

Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer of Astroforge

David Brown

Author, and writer

Guillermo Trotti

Space Architect

Evgenya Shkolnik

Professor of astrophysics at the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University

Ben Schoenekase

Ph.D. Student and Faculty Associate, ASU Herberger Institute

Julia Lopez

Architect and Faculty Associate

Jeffrey Callaway

Student, ASU

Corey Clifford

Student, ASU

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