Cato speculate?

> Jack,
>
> The question while a good starter is a bit too broad.

Yes, I agree. Let me explain. I am trying to write a paper on this
subject - the impact of space development on human knowledge. This
effort was preceded by a paper on the impact threat of NEOs. Now the
subject of impact threats was quite easy to research. A lot of
information is available on this threat and it was quite easy to
find. Trying to discuss the impact of space development on science,
however, was much tougher. It is broad and difficult to chop into
manageable pieces without already having some knowledge of the
disciplines potentially effected. Lacking that knowledge myself, I
thought it best to seek the advice of other space advocates who
perhaps have already considered the implications of space development
on science and human knowledge in general.

> Any undertaking in large scale development will create
> advances in science and technology. Whether it is in
> putting up space habitats or underwater cities or a
> global effort to cure cancer.
>
> That being said, I believe it is best to look at this
> question in terms of what advances that space
> development can give us, that cannot be achieved
> otherwise.
>
> Jay has already picked out a few areas that I would
> like to regroup to put some order to the list:
>
> 1) Development that monitor the Earth for scientific
> purposes (weather, NASA's earth obs program,)
>
> 2) Development that provides new commercial services
> to the Earth (remote sensing, commsats, sat tv/radio,
> gps, manufacturing techniques)
>
> 3) Development leading to technologies for furthering
> space exploration (propulsion, remote sensing
> instruments, communication subsystems, power supplies,
> etc)
>
> 4) Science goals obtainable from space (being able to
> view high energy wavelengths, NASA's origin program,
> astrobiology, search for life/intelligence, planetary
> geology)
>
> 5) Military developments (important group if trying
> to get whole picture, this includes warning system for
> asteroid impacts, missile defense, remote sensing,
> communication eavesdropping, radar)

Excellent division of topics. With your permission, I'd like to use
it.

> These five categories can further be explored on an
> individual basis for a more exhaustive listing, but it
> does give a focus for discussing such a broad topic.

Yes and that is what I needed. Thanks.

Jack