The Influence of Social Movements on Space Astronomy Policy

TL;DR

This paper examines how grassroots public movements and engagement initiatives influence space astronomy policy, highlighting recent cases and exploring new participatory avenues like crowdfunding.

Contribution

It provides an analysis of the impact of citizen-led movements on space policy and discusses innovative public engagement strategies in space science.

Findings

Grassroots movements can significantly influence space policy decisions.

Public engagement initiatives foster long-term support for space science.

Crowdfunding and crowdsourcing are emerging as new avenues for public involvement.

Abstract

Public engagement (PE) initiatives can lead to a long term public support of science. However most of the real impact of PE initiatives within the context of long-term science policy is not completely understood. An examination of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Hubble Space Telescope, James Webb Space Telescope, and International Sun-Earth Explorer 3 reveal how large grassroots movements led by citizen scientists and space aficionados can have profound effects on public policy. We explore the role and relevance of public grassroots movements in the policy of space astronomy initiatives, present some recent cases which illustrate policy decisions involving broader interest groups, and consider new avenues of PE including crowdfunding and crowdsourcing.