Earth's Problems and Prospects: The View from Space

Recent developments in space technology – and in the attitudes of political and economic figures – make it clear that the cost of access to limitless resources of nearby space can be dramatically reduced. Such cost reduction makes a host of new ventures far more attractive, and suggests an economically sound program for using those resources to provide cheap, clean, abundant energy for the residents of Earth. In this lecture, Dr. John Lewis, professor at the University of Arizona and co-director of the Space Engineering Research Center, argues that space travel can be accomplished at a fraction of the current cost so long as competitive private companies are allowed to take the place of the long-time government monopoly of space.