On Becoming a Space-Faring Civilization - Richard Campbell - NDC Oslo 2024

The cost of space launches has dropped dramatically - from $25,000/kg in the 1990s to around $3,000/kg with SpaceX’s Falcon 9, making space more accessible

Long-term human presence in space requires solving artificial gravity challenges - rotating structures ~100m in diameter are needed to create comfortable artificial gravity without harmful differentials

Resource extraction and manufacturing in space is essential for becoming space-faring - using lunar/asteroid resources is more practical than lifting everything from Earth

The moon’s Shackleton Crater at the South Pole is a key strategic location - has areas of constant sunlight for power and permanently shadowed areas with potential ice deposits

Space suit design remains a major challenge - current suits are fragile, hard to maintain, and limited in duration. New designs focus on external servicing and longer operational life

Free-fall/microgravity causes significant human health issues - including bone loss, fluid shifts, vision problems and disrupted cerebral spinal fluid flow

Future space stations will likely be smaller and more numerous rather than one large ISS-style station - allowing for specialized purposes like manufacturing, research, and tourism

Lunar lava tubes offer natural radiation protection and stable environments - could be ideal locations for early lunar bases

Asteroid mining could provide vast resources - particularly water, metals and materials needed for space-based manufacturing

Current space activities are transitioning from government to commercial operations - with companies like SpaceX revolutionizing launch costs and capabilities