The publication series Young Academics: Outer Space1, edited by Dr. Antje Nötzold, Dr. Enrico Fels, Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl and Assistant Prof. Dr. Nina Klimburg-Witjes, sheds light on the growing importance of space utilisation for politics, business and society. It encompasses social and societal science disciplines such as political science, sociology, ethics, technology impact research and law. The aim is to offer young academics a platform to publish their contributions on space utilisation. The series places particular emphasis on theoretical foundations, interdisciplinary analyses and critical assessments of the strategic challenges and effects of space utilisation.
Volume 12 of the series has already been published:
Our dependence on space - On the resilience of German space infrastructure
Our modern society is dependent on space. We regularly use the services of space infrastructure, usually without realising it. Space technologies such as weather forecasts or positioning services have unconsciously become part of our everyday lives and bring great benefits to our society. At government level, satellites are regularly used to transmit confidential and encrypted data. However, dependence on space also harbours risks. How resilient is this important infrastructure? How can we prepare for failures? Based on interviews with experts, the author explores these and other questions and shows what steps are necessary to strengthen the resilience of the German space infrastructure.