Planetary Radio: Space Policy Edition cover image

Planetary Radio: Space Policy Edition

Real and Acceptable Reasons for Space Exploration

Apr 5, 2024
Former NASA Administrator Mike Griffin delves into the tension between real and acceptable motivations for space exploration. The podcast explores the deep reasons driving space exploration, the balance between genuine and justified motives, and the importance of long-term vision in advocating for space science. It also examines the disparities in funding between private and public sectors, the role of societal impact, and the significance of authentic communication in promoting space advocacy.
53:45

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Real reasons for space exploration include pursuing the sublime and satisfying human curiosity.
  • Balancing real motivations like monument-building with acceptable justifications leads to holistic space advocacy.

Deep dives

Dr. Mike Griffin discusses the dichotomy of real and acceptable reasons for space exploration

Dr. Mike Griffin, former NASA Administrator and Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, delves into the concept of real versus acceptable reasons for space exploration. He highlights that while acceptable reasons, such as economic value and technological spinoffs, are easily quantifiable and practical, the real reasons include contributing to something greater, pursuing the sublime, and satisfying human curiosity. Griffin emphasizes the need to prioritize and express these real motivations for space exploration, which may be subjective but are crucial for human progress and fulfillment.

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