Etiam Engineering’s unique and innovative involvement in space-based development is due to the fact that we truly believe in the need for humanity to focus on the long-term goal of permanent off-earth colonization, and in lowering the high environmental impact of existing on-Earth resources extraction, including launching materials into space. The processing and supply of water, fuels and metals from In-Situ Resources Utilization (ISRU) will be an essential first step for this development, which Etiam Engineering intends to be at the forefront of. This development will push all of our current technical boundaries, and in many cases what we learn in space can and will be transferable back to Earth-based systems as well. The best description we have seen of the long-term benefits such development can have on Earth can be seen in the Statement of Philosophy of the National Space Society, The rational for space being:
Prosperity
“Economic Opportunity – To provide every human individual with the opportunity to improve the wellbeing of himself or herself, and his or her family. Vast new resources must be developed if all persons are to be given economic opportunities for themselves and their children even marginally equal to what many would consider a minimally tolerable standard of living.
“Improved Standards of Living – To provide humanity with the resources it needs to improve the quality of life for all humans on the planet Earth. The majority of humanity lives at an economic level that is far below that of the Western democracies. Outer space holds virtually limitless amounts of energy and raw materials, which can be harvested for use both on Earth and in space. Quality of life can be improved directly by utilization of these resources and also indirectly by moving hazardous and polluting industries and/or their waste products off planet Earth.
“Technological Development – To provide remote locations for the development, testing, and “perfection” of promising, but potentially hazardous technologies, such as biological experimentation; nuclear, fusion, chemical and antimatter power generation; and space propulsion. Such developmental facilities could be placed either in space or on other worlds far from both space settlements and unrelated facilities.
“Curiosity, the Quest for Knowledge – It is the nature of the human species to learn more about its origins, its past, its fellow life forms, its environment, its limitations, and its possibilities for the future. Earth is but a tiny container of knowledge compared to the entire incredibly vast universe.
Survival
“Survival of the Human Species – The human species is encountering increased natural, man-made, and extraterrestrial threats, including disease, resource depletion, pollution, urban violence, terrorism, nuclear war, asteroids, and comets.
“Survival of Earth’s Biosphere – Space technology provides both means to monitor threats to life on Earth and ways to help curtail them. Space industrialization and settlement provide safety valves to relieve the pressures that cause Earth-bound threats.
Growth
“New Habitats for Life – The human species, as well as all other animal and plant life on Earth, needs room to grow and multiply. Earth has a finite supply of land, air, and water, for which humans, animals, and plants must compete.
“New Frontiers for Humanity – to provide the human species with a new “frontier” for exploration and adventure, and to provide thought and expression, culture and art, and modes of government. The opening of ‘the New World‘ to western civilization brought about an unprecedented 500-year period of growth and experimentation in science, technology, literature, music, art, recreation, and government (including the development and gradual acceptance of democracy). The presence of a frontier led to the development of the “open society” founded on the principles of individual rights and freedoms.”
Also be sure to review our discussion on Design Risks, and to download our Capabilities Statement and Quality Policy (which includes our Mission and Values).