SPACE EXPLORATION AND ASTROBIOLOGY: A UNIQUE TOOL TO OPEN SPACE FOR ALL

ABREVAYA, X.C.

Simposio; United Nations / Austria World Space Forum: Access to Space 4 All; 2019

Astrobiology (also known as exobiology) is an interdisciplinary growing field of scientific research that seeks to study the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. Different academic areas converge in this field to create scientific and technical knowledge, for instance, astronomy, physics, biology, geology, chemistry, atmospheric science, and engineering, among others, using both theoretical and experimental approaches. It can also involve other areas as philosophy, contributing to make focus on questions related to human space exploration and its implications on derived potential ethical, social, and political issues. Astrobiology provides a basis for the understanding of our place in the universe and it brings a scientific rationale for space exploration and its development. This field can also help to create in the society an important double envision of Earth and space: both are an important resource that must be protected to preserve our life on Earth and our life-quality. As an academic area is actively developing educative programs at different levels from the school classroom to the universities, as well as making this knowledge available to the public through scientific outreach programs and diverse activities. Given its interdisciplinary nature, Astrobiology allows the participation of different actors that through the synergy of several areas can support the challenging global efforts for education, research, and the development of technology in space-related activities. These initiatives are part of the endeavors of the most important international space agencies as ESA and NASA, as well as diverse Universities around the world, and different associations as the International Astronomical Union. Additionally, this can be inscribed in the context of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations, as they could be extended beyond the Earth to outer space. Given that scientific knowledge and education are fundamental pillars to stimulate, promote and impulse the accessibility of space to everybody, everywhere, in this presentation, I will make a brief introduction to Astrobiology and I will show how this field of science can be transformed in a very valuable and unique tool for the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs initiative “Access to Space for All”.