24/7 Space News
SPACE TRAVEL
In new space race, scientists propose geoarchaeology can aid in preserving space heritage
A moment of glory during the Apollo 15 mission to the Moon.
In new space race, scientists propose geoarchaeology can aid in preserving space heritage
by Julie Tollefson for UKansas News
Lawrence KS (SPX) Jul 21, 2023

As a new space race heats up, two researchers from the Kansas Geological Survey at the University of Kansas and their colleagues have proposed a new scientific subfield: planetary geoarchaeology, the study of how cultural and natural processes on Earth's moon, on Mars and across the solar system may be altering, preserving or destroying the material record of space exploration.

"Until recently, we might consider the material left behind during the space race of the mid-20th century as relatively safe," said Justin Holcomb, postdoctoral researcher at the Kansas Geological Survey, based at the University of Kansas, and lead author on a new paper introducing the concept of planetary geoarchaeology in the journal Geoarchaeology. "However, the material record that currently exists on the moon is rapidly becoming at risk of being destroyed if proper attention isn't paid during the new space era."

Since the advent of space exploration, humans have launched more than 6,700 satellites and spacecraft from countries around the globe, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. The United States alone accounts for more than 4,500 civil, commercial, governmental and military satellites.

"We're trying to draw attention to the preservation, study and documentation of space heritage because I do think there's a risk to this heritage on the moon," Holcomb said. "The United States is trying to get boots on the moon again, and China is as well. We've already had at least four countries accidentally crash into the moon recently. There are a lot of accidental crashes and not a lot of protections right now."

Holcomb began considering the idea of planetary geoarchaeology during the COVID-19 lockdown. Applying geoarchaeological tools and methods to the movement of people into space and the solar system is a natural extension of the study of human migration on Earth, the focus of the ODYSSEY Archaeological Research Program housed at KGS and directed by Holcomb's co-author, Rolfe Mandel, KGS senior scientist and University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Anthropology.

"Human migration out of Africa may have occurred as early as 150,000 years ago, and space travel represents the latest stage of that journey," Mandel said. "Although the ODYSSEY program is focused on documenting the earliest evidence of people in the Americas, the next frontier for similar research will be in space."

How planetary geoarchaeologists will determine whether an item is worth preserving is an open question.

"We feel that all material currently existing on extraterrestrial surfaces is space heritage and worthy of protection," Holcomb said. "However, some sites, such as the very first footprints on the moon at Tranquility Base or the first lander on Mars, Viking 1, represent the material footprint of a long history of migration."

Beyond those "firsts," sifting through the hundreds of thousands of bits of material currently in orbit or strewn across the surfaces of the moon and Mars - what many call "trash" but Holcomb and his colleagues regard as heritage - will require case-by-case decision making.

"We have to make those decisions all the time with archaeological sites today," Holcomb said. "The moon has such a limited record now that it's totally possible to protect all of it. Certainly, we need to protect space heritage related to the Apollo missions, but other countries, too, deserve to have their records protected."

With resources for protecting space heritage limited, Holcomb and his colleagues advocate for developing systems to track materials left in space.

"We should begin tracking our material record as it continues to expand, both to preserve the earliest record but also to keep a check on our impact on extraterrestrial environments," he said. "It's our job as anthropologists and archaeologists to bring issues of heritage to the forefront."

Beyond the moon, Holcomb wants to see planetary geoarchaeology extend to issues related to exploration and migration to Mars. He points to NASA's Spirit Rover as an example. The rover became stuck in Martian sand in 2008 and now risks being completely covered by encroaching sand dunes.

"As planetary geoarchaeologists, we can predict when the rover will be buried, talk about what will happen when it's buried and make sure it's well documented before it's lost," he said. "Planetary scientists are rightfully interested in successful missions, but they seldom think about the material left behind. That's the way we can work with them."

Holcomb believes geoarchaeologists should be included in future NASA missions to ensure the protection and safety of space heritage. Meanwhile, geoarchaeologists on Earth can lay the foundation for that work, including advocating for laws to protect and preserve space heritage, studying the effects extraterrestrial ecosystems have on items space missions leave behind and conducting international discussions regarding space heritage preservation and protection issues.

As for being part of a space mission himself?

"I'll leave that to other geoarchaeologists," Holcomb said. "There's plenty to do down here, but I do hope to see an archaeologist in space before it's all over."

Research Report:Planetary geoarchaeology as a new frontier in archaeological science: Evaluating site formation processes on Earth's Moon

Related Links
University of Kansas
Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
SPACE TRAVEL
Axiom Space Awarded Contract to Pursue Spacesuit Development for International Space Station
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jul 12, 2023
Axiom Space, a Houston-based company, has been granted a significant contract by NASA to develop spacesuits for the International Space Station (ISS). The contract, which involves an initial commitment of $5 million and has the potential to reach $142 million over four years, aims to modify Axiom's Artemis III lunar spacesuit design to enhance NASA's spacewalking capabilities on the ISS. This is the second contract awarded to Axiom Space by NASA, following the $228 million task order in 2022 to cr ... read more

SPACE TRAVEL
In new space race, scientists propose geoarchaeology can aid in preserving space heritage

Geophysics student employs 800-year-old method for Lunar GPS system

NASA's Bill Nelson to discuss bilateral cooperation in South America

On space, poll shows most Americans support NASA's role, U.S. presence

SPACE TRAVEL
NASA picks Lockheed Martin to develop nuclear rocket

Kuaizhou 1A launches satellites into orbit

Rocket Lab set to boost Capella's satellite constellation with upcoming launch

World's first methane-fueled rocket makes history, courtesy of LandSpace and GCL

SPACE TRAVEL
Sleeping the Sol Away: Sol 3894

Unveiling Mars' Past: Olympus Mons as a Gigantic Volcanic Isle

Perseverance sees Mars in a new light

Sols 3895-3897: Navigating Through the Crater Cluster

SPACE TRAVEL
China's Space Station Opens Doors to Global Scientific Community

China's Lunar Mission targets manned landing by 2030

Shenzhou XVI crew set to conduct their first EVA

Timeline unveiled for China's advanced manned spacecraft's inaugural flight

SPACE TRAVEL
From AI to Nuclear: UK launches Strategic Plan for Future Space Exploration

Future of Satellite Internet: OneWeb vs Starlink

Successful entry into service of the multi-mission EUTELSAT 10B satellite

Amazon invests $120 million in internet satellite facility

SPACE TRAVEL
Goddard, Wallops Engineers Test Printed Electronics in Space

Optimum Technologies unveils innovative spacecraft facility in Northern Virginia

Revolutionary materials and techniques transform aircraft construction

Billions of nanoplastics released when microwaving baby food containers

SPACE TRAVEL
Water discovered in rocky planet-forming zone offers clues on habitability

NASA lab hopes to find life's building blocks in asteroid sample

New study reveals Roman Telescope could find 400 Earth-mass rogue planets

Does this exoplanet have a sibling sharing the same orbit

SPACE TRAVEL
NASA's Juno Is Getting Ever Closer to Jupiter's Moon Io

SwRI team identifies giant swirling waves at the edge of Jupiter's magnetosphere

First ultraviolet data collected by ESA's JUICE mission

Unveiling Jupiter's upper atmosphere

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.