Cooperation Is Key to Advanced Space Exploration

No single nation has the necessary resources to take on complete and thorough space exploration on its own, astronauts said recently at the 26th National Space Symposium, held in Colorado Springs earlier this month. Therefore, the only possible solution to advance research in astrophysics, astronomy and astrobiology is international cooperation. The best possible example of this is the International Space Station, under construction for 12 years, and which clearly shows that nations can work together efficiently for a common goal, Space reports.

The announcement was made at the conference by a group of former astronauts, including an American space flier, the first space tourist, and the first Chinese taikonaut to go to Earth's orbit. The three believe that it's only through close cooperation that exploring space with any chance of success is possible. Experts appear to agree with them, pointing at various collaboration agreements between national space agencies, such as the deals between ESA and RosCosmos, NASA and ESA, JAXA and ESA and so on. Nearly all possible combinations of nations have already been achieved, they add.

Still, this is not enough. Producing truly revolutionary spacecraft and producing advanced missions needs a lot more than the combined powers of two countries. “I think the development of space endeavors is not for one nation or one country. I myself as an astronaut, I believe that the multinational, the international cooperation is the future triumph of the development of space industry,” explained at the meeting Yang Liwei, who is his country's first astronaut. He went to orbit in October 2003, aboard the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft. “During the spaceflight I showed the national flag of China, but as well I displayed the flag of the United Nations that showed that it is the common cause of all mankind and that we are coming to space for peaceful purposes,” he added through a translator.

“I don't think any major effort in space will again be done by a single nation. They may each have individual sub goals, but it's a human endeavor to go to Mars, and I think that's the way it needs to be approached,” concurred Tom Henricks, a veteran NASA astronaut that flew on four space missions aboard the American shuttles. Again, the example of the ISS springs to mind. The international endeavor costs $100 billion, and is the brainchild of five space agencies (United States, Russia, Europe, Japan and Canada), and 16 individual nations.