BEAST Magazine #3 2016

44 #Art | Photography
How do you see the Luxembourg Space Resources
initiative?
I find it to be a very interesting and exciting proposition. I
believe the initiative will position Luxembourg to be a leader
in the development of extraterrestrial mineral and other
space resources. It seems wise to begin now to address the
legal and regulatory issues that commercial space resource
development will encounter. At the same time, I hope the
issues of environmental stewardship and sustainability
will be addressed. We have a chance to make sure that
space-based mineral extraction and resource development
is undertaken through both sustainable and low impact
methods. One only has to look at the coal slag heaps of
the Nord-Pas de Calais mining region to see the aftermath
of mineral extraction that lacks a more environmentally
friendly approach. To be fair, we can’t judge the commercial
mineral extraction methods that date back as far as the
1700s by 21st century criteria.
Buzz Aldrin said that we need to have people up there
who can communicate what it feels like, not just pilots and
engineers. Do you agree to the necessity to combine Art &
Science is this new space era?
I couldn’t agree more. I’m very interested in the intersection
of art and science. I would love to see an Artist in Space
Program, much like the Teacher in Space program NASA
promoted during the Space Shuttle era. Just as it is
important that we send qualified pilots and scientists into
space, I think it is vital that we send individuals who can
translate the experience and impression of being in space
to the rest of the world. Thankfully we have had astronauts
who came prepared with artistic talent. Alan Bean has
rendered his lunar excursion experiences through painting.
Cady Coleman performed a flute duet with Ian Anderson
of Jethro Tull fame—she on the International Space Station
and Anderson in Russia.
As someone with a background in the humanities, I am
convinced that the most important experiences and
interactions we have occur at the human level. Without the
experience and enjoyment of art, music, theater, literature,
and other humanities-based experiences our lives would be
quite hollow. The humanities allow us to better appreciate
the life, physical, and social sciences; they allow us to make
connections and discoveries that are not possible through
hard science alone.
Preserving america’s space history by Roland Miller
Foreword by Roger D. Launius - Prologue by Bob Thall
Introduction by Betsy Fahlman - Essays by Craig Covault,
Pamela Melroy, & Beth Laura O’Leary
BEAST MAGAZINE #3