Space Education and Strategic Applications Journal

This past year has been one of incredible advances but also heightened political and economic uncertainty. The successful launch and subsequent alignment of the James Webb Space Telescope represents a significant advance in telescope technology. The images produced by the telescope have been stunning, providing views of the universe in unprecedented clarity and detail. This data contains a wealth of information that astronomers worldwide will use to increase our understanding of the cosmos for many years to come.

The upcoming launch of Artemis I brings us one step closer to the return of manned missions to the Moon. With the help of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket-the most powerful in the world-Artemis I will push the boundary of spaceflight by travelling significantly farther and faster than previous Moon missions. Its ambitious orbital path will serve as preparation for future Artemis missions, with the goal of manned flights (Artemis II) and a lunar surface landing as part of the Artemis III mission.

Commercial space flights, part space tourism and part civilian research, have opened access to space for a wide variety of people. Whether quick suborbital jaunts or short-term visits to the ISS, these commercial flights are an indication of the beginning of a shift in the accessibility of the space field from being reserved only for trained astronauts to being accessible to civilian researchers and tourists alike. NASA's push to return to the Moon, together with the increase in commercial space flights in 2022, have made space exploration a realizable goal and have increased public support for space endeavors.

At the same time, the political environment of 2022 has been filled with uncertainty and aggression. The continuing hostilities in Ukraine have compromised the spirit of goodwill and cooperation that has characterized the working relationships on the International Space Station, which has been a symbol of hope for the peaceful use of space since the end of the Cold War. In addition, recent tests of anti-satellite capabilities by multiple countries have added to both the congestion of lower Earth orbit (LEO) debris and concerns about national assets in near-Earth orbital space. It is becoming increasingly clear that the arena of space, which is vital to national security as well as international relations, is one that will require active protection.

With so much uncertainty in the world, advances in space research and space exploration provide a hopeful outlook for the future. It is our hope that the perspectives presented in the articles in this journal will provide increased understanding of the strategic value of space and the need to ensure the security of the space domain as well as the potential prospects and challenges of space exploration.

This issue's contents:
Editors' Note
Kristen Miller & Gary Deel

Space Life Cycle Assessment: A Risk or Opportunity for the USA?
Andrew Ross W...