Space Systems and Sustainability : From Asteroids and Solar Storms to Pandemics and Climate Change (1st ed. 2021)

In his latest book, space scientist, futurist, and educator Joseph N.

Pelton explores adozen ways that Planet Earth is at “existential” risk, along with the many ways thatspace systems, data analytics, and advanced networking systems can help us copewith these global challenges. The chapters examine in a straightforward way how satellite systems and technol-ogy can drastically transform fields such as pandemic tracking and global medicalresponses, cosmic hazard monitoring, nuclear energy and waste disposal, water andland pollution, tele-education/telemedicine, and military conflict.

Such examplesshow how orbiting smart systems will play an ever more vital role in our vulnerablemodern world, allowing us to monitor, track, and respond to mounting problems ofthe 21st century. Dr. Pelton takes a broad view, probing the social, economic, and regulatory factorsthat are crucial to creating a more sustainable “Spaceship Earth.” This book is a callto action, promoting more organized international collaboration and investment in space technologies that can enable global change.