What can Space Resources do for Astronomy and Planetary Science?

TL;DR

Advancements in space resources and commercial space capabilities are poised to significantly reduce costs and enable new mission architectures, transforming astronomy and planetary science planning and design.

Contribution

This paper discusses how emerging space resource technologies and commercial space developments will revolutionize mission planning and reduce costs in astronomy and planetary science.

Findings

Commercial space reduces launch costs

Enables cost-effective on-orbit servicing

Facilitates large space structures assembly

Abstract

The rapid cost growth of flagship space missions has created a crisis for astronomy and planetary science. We have hit the funding wall. For the past 3 decades scientists have not had to think much about how space technology would change within their planning horizon. However, this time around enormous improvements in space infrastructure capabilities and, especially, costs are likely on the 20-year gestation periods for large space telescopes. Commercial space will lower launch and spacecraft costs substantially, enable cost-effective on-orbit servicing, cheap lunar landers and interplanetary cubesats by the early 2020s. A doubling of flagship launch rates is not implausible. On a longer timescale it will enable large structures to be assembled and constructed in space. These developments will change how we plan and design missions.