Author: Gu Xuewen
The invention of the steam engine triggered the first industrial revolution, and mankind entered the era of mechanization; the use of electricity drove the second industrial revolution, and mankind entered the era of electrification; the invention and application of computers gave birth to the third industrial revolution, and mankind entered the era of automation; the popularization and development of the Internet created the fourth industrial revolution, and mankind entered the information age.
So, what will trigger the Fifth Industrial Revolution?
Spanish female scientist Inma Martinez replied that the fifth industrial revolution led by space technology will enable mankind to enter a new era of "space civilization".
But in her new book, "The Fifth Industrial Revolution: The Technological Revolution and Industrial Transformation Caused by Space Technology", she also seriously pointed out that in the first four revolutions, human beings consumed too many natural resources, led to the collapse of natural systems, and human beings faced unprecedented challenges to survival, and the fifth industrial revolution will be and must be a green revolution, and life science and sustainable industries will dominate.
And more importantly: in the exploration of space, human beings can never fight alone.
It starts with curiosity
We are a civilization of exploration, and exploration is engraved in our DNA
Reading Weekly: Stephen Hawking once said, "I don't think humanity can survive for thousands of years to come unless we spread out into space." "When did humans start looking curiously into space?"
Inma Martinez: The history of human exploration of space is not hundreds of years, let alone the 20th century. In fact, as early as thousands of years ago, when Paleolithic humans began to explore their surroundings, they also planted the seeds of space exploration.
The space industry is exploration-based: many satellites are launched to observe Earth, our galaxy, planets in the Milky Way, or elsewhere. The Chang'e project is directly linked to the work of Da Vinci's helicopter, mrs. chemist and astronaut and scientist Yaping Wang. This spirit guides us to face the challenges head-on, promote the progress of science, and promote the growth of the national economy.
For the 10 years of the 2020s, these countries involved in the space industry have been encouraging commercial innovation, hoping to create a space-based industry, such as space mining, and hoping to tap into new energy and resources. Aerospace agencies that once led the industry focused on rocket engineering, astronaut training, and space survival preparation. I can say with confidence that the institutions that are now truly leading the development of the new space industry, such as the European Aviation Agency and China, are launching collaborative initiatives. It is no longer a country alone, they will jointly break through the technical and scientific difficulties and lead all mankind to prosperity.
Space today is the arena for cooperation, where the most leadership and long-term vision comes together.
Reading Weekly: Why does space have such a charm, always attracting humans to explore it?
Inma Martinez: Humans have created and developed civilizations because we dare to explore our surroundings. We boldly explore geography and conquer oceans, mountains and deserts. We have compiled a map of the world, cataloging and classifying organisms, rocks and fossils. At the same time, we began to explore the environment in a scientific way, trying to know the origin, composition, molecular structure and evolution of all things. We study philosophy and think about the existence of the universe and all things.
The origin of science lies in exploration. Our ancestors observed the universe and the night sky on the ground, dreaming of one day being able to fly into the stars and explore the universe. After technological progress, we have been able to observe stars and galaxies, and launch exploration satellites and orbiters. We began to go into space like the sailors and explorers of old, and began to travel.
We are simply repeating the history of our ancestors: exploring in order to sustain our lives and find new homes. Earth's resources are limited, and we must venture into space to ensure that future generations can continue human development on other planets.
We are a civilization of exploration, and exploration is engraved in our DNA.
New adventures
Thanks to the space industry, we are aware of the fragility of Earth's home
Reading Weekly: What is the significance of our exploration of space?
Inmar Martinez: The goal of early space exploration was to understand the Milky Way and its planets. Subsequently, we want to know whether humans are alone in the universe. So we launched a space program to go deep into other galaxies to look for signs of life.
While exploring the solar system, we realized that the largest star in the Milky Way, the Sun, was a major threat: solar radiation turned the surface of Mars into desert scorched earth, and solar flares could reach Earth and cause fires. In addition, we must pay attention to the trajectories of meteors and asteroids in the Milky Way, because some asteroids and oversized meteors may collide with Earth, and we must find ways to deflect their orbits. These are not alarmisms: this is the reality of our solar system, and the universe is full of motion.
With Earth observation satellites, we began to understand our planet in a scientific way. We use this to study climate change, animal migration, deforestation, sea level change and water resources. In the 21st century, Earth observations can also help us monitor crops, regulate the spread of disease, and even do urban planning. Thanks to the space industry, we are aware of the fragility of Earth's home and are therefore better able to plan for development to ensure that ecosystems continue to thrive.
There are many people who question whether it is necessary for humans to travel to Mars to establish settlements. It's a long-term mission, but it's also the hope: Mars is very similar to Earth in terms of elemental composition and origin. There used to be rivers and vegetation, and there was an aerobic atmosphere. Unfortunately, it doesn't have the same magnetic shield as Earth, so it's turned into a red desert by solar radiation. But with future adaptive technologies, humans can build settlements on them, plant plants that can adapt to the composition of the Martian atmosphere, and even create a future for humanity. This possibility is increasing day by day, because human growth will be in the billions, far more than the population that the earth's resources can sustain. We have to think about starting a new life in other remote, remote, unknown, dangerous places, just as our ancestors ventured to the Americas, the Arctic, the Western Prairies, and the distant oceans.
Change the planet
To incorporate space into our thinking is to expand our imagination and expand the areas where value can be created
Reading Weekly: Why is space exploration not only a science, but also an industrial revolution? How does the innovation of space technology trigger industrial change?
Inma Martinez: Almost all innovations designed for aerospace are being applied to the commercial sector. Electronic communications, data transmission, aerospace technology, precision photography, these are all related to spaceflight. Many of the recent medical and chemical innovations have also emerged in space. Many of the goods that are now visible were designed to be used in space, such as UV-proof glasses and polarized glasses, insulation blankets made of silver-plated or Teflon (PTFE) materials.
Early space programs were largely science missions, but program participants were mostly private companies that signed agreements with space agencies. These companies apply technological innovation to the market, resulting in royalties for patents; they also give social value to innovation in the aerospace industry.
Gradually, we have created an industrial economy derived from space exploration. In Europe, telecom and aerospace companies are among the best in their respective industries because they have a demanding party A: the European Aviation Agency. In space, technology and service providers must maximize zero error, high performance and strict quality control, because mistakes in space are "life can not bear".
In the 21st century, commercial activity in the space sector is growing exponentially. The current market value generated by the space industry is about $350 billion, and this revenue is expected to be as high as $1 trillion by around 2040 (according to Morgan Stanley Bank's forecast). See "Investing in the Final Frontier", July 24, 2020). For example, the launch of nanosatellites to provide Internet services to remote areas has become a commercial business that can provide Internet connectivity in rural areas where fiber is not yet installed or in inaccessible alpine areas. Companies that are making such launches, one of which has a majority shareholder in the UK government, will revolutionize the telecommunications industry – we will increasingly use space infrastructure to provide the data transmission and network connectivity services necessary in the digital economy era. For example, if agriculture and livestock are to automate AI, there will be a need for infrastructure to provide connectivity for data transmission between farmland and the cloud. Micro rocket launches are gradually being commercialized and serve businesses with commercial purposes, such as sending nanocubes into space and experimenting under microgravity.
These are completely beyond the scope of the government's space program and become a vertical field that shows unlimited possibilities.
Reading Weekly: How will these changes change our lives?
Inma Martinez: Space-based assets such as observation satellites are gradually being used for commercial activities. For example, the European Aviation Agency's Sentinel 1 and Sentinel 2, whose original mission was to observe climate change, is now being used to protect the safety of fishing vessels in Greenland. Because the sea there could freeze in a matter of minutes, causing the fleet to run aground and unable to return to port. Nigeria uses satellite data to manage population movements and thus plan the development of urban centres. EAA data is available free of charge, but the "new space industry" (such as the Earth-Moon economy) has startups whose business is to provide data quantification, processing, analysis and interpretation services and other big data businesses. There is also an emerging field: "Made in Space", that is, the development of products and materials under microgravity or zero gravity conditions, especially additives for 4D printing. Microgravity conditions open the door to the production of polymers and their derivatives that cannot be produced in the Earth's gravitational environment. With the establishment of the Zero Gravity Laboratory, chemical, beauty and pharmaceutical companies have all begun experimenting with new compounds. All of this is constantly changing our lives.
Reading Weekly: What is explored is space, and what is changing is the Earth.
Inma Martinez: All the breakthroughs in science, technology, and space engineering have implications for Earth. Space is a testing ground that allows us to make new discoveries and creations. For example, today's engineers are no longer limited to communication on the Earth's surface when studying telecommunications; when a biologist studies the genetics of plants, he can consider creating a radiation-resistant DNA chain that deals not only with the radiation we receive on Earth, but also with radiation from space.
To incorporate space into our thinking is to expand our imagination and expand the areas where value can be created. This is to break through the spiritual limitations that bind us to the earth and the gravitational pull of the earth, and to freely use the solar system and beyond as our living environment and the future of civilization. These innovations allow us to contribute value to the well-being of all humanity and to the progress of society, the nation and humanity. Space is like this: in order to move forward, we must explore this new environment.
Cooperation is essential
Over the next 10 years, we will gradually determine the way we work together in this area, rather than allowing others to sabotage with the fighting mentality of the 20th century
Reading Weekly: You argue in the book: In the exploration of space, human beings can never fight alone, but need cooperation from all countries.
Inma Martinez: The goal of the space industry is to strive for perfection, even to achieve the impossible. Here, experience is more important than academic qualifications. Practitioners in the space industry face a variety of challenges on a daily basis, which shape their unique character: enterprising, courageous, and creative. And more importantly, they recognize the power of cooperation. Collaboration reduces error rates and leads to greater achievement.
The European Aviation Agency has been supporting and cooperating with China's scientific exploration in the field of space. The first official project to work together was the "Double Star Project" in 2000, but our collaboration began as early as those 20 years ago. Today, our astronauts train together. For example, astronaut Ye Guangfu first participated in the European Aviation Agency project in Italy. The European Aviation Agency is eager to continue its space cooperation with China and send European astronauts to the Chinese space station.
Reading Weekly: How can we avoid space exploration from turning into space colonization? Avoid the extension of national political power in space?
Inma Martinez: Space exploration is the future of humanity. Only through cooperation can countries with leadership and long-term vision create the future of space civilization for humanity. Recently, some space agencies have "fired" at their decommissioned satellites in order to prove their strength. But blowing up devices in space could endanger other satellites and even the lives of astronauts working in Earth's orbit. This behavior is childish and stupid. I believe that over the next 10 years we will gradually determine the way we cooperate in this area, rather than allowing others to sabotage with the fighting mentality of the 20th century.
Reading Weekly: How to solve problems such as space transportation and space junk?
Inma Martinez: Indeed, there are now 5,000 spacecraft orbiting the Earth. These are the old satellites and orbiters of the past, which no longer function. Unfortunately, in the 20th century, we never imagined that if we put objects in Earth's orbit, they would one day become "space junk." All nanosatellites are now designed this way: when they stop working, they fall to Earth. Because of their small size, they burn up when they enter the atmosphere and turn to ashes when they land.
In-orbit garbage is indeed a problem. There are several collection strategies: one is the "Net Boat" mode, which traps all the floating objects in a space in a large net. But the operation is expensive, and no one wants to pick up "someone else's garbage." Low-Earth orbit is now a space junkyard. The way we currently handle space traffic is by assigning a different orbital altitude to each vehicle. For example, the International Space Station is in orbit at an altitude of 401 kilometers, OneWeb's nanosatellites are at 1200 kilometers above sea level, and Starlink is at 550 kilometers above sea level. The higher the orbit of an object around the Earth, the smaller the distance it will fly. The International Space Station takes 90 minutes to orbit the Earth because of its low orbit. Every 24 hours, it orbits the Earth 16 times. This means that it is at a higher risk of hitting space junk than a web of satellites, which are in higher orbits. But because one of the missions of the ISS astronauts is to "repair" the satellite, it must be operated close to the satellite.
Juvenile continuation
If this "juvenile state" can be continued in adulthood, then people's brains can continue to imagine many incredible things
Reading Weekly: What do you mean by the "continuation of juvenile state" that you repeatedly mention in the book? How do humans maintain this "juvenile state"?
Inma Martinez: When I was studying artificial intelligence, I discovered a neuroscience phenomenon called "juvenile continuation" because of my study of the human brain and its evolution. "Juvenile continuity" is the foundation of human creativity, and it is an explosive, free, abstract, and unrestrained curiosity. Although all animals have curiosity, and curiosity is an important force that keeps everything that exists alive, "juvenile continuation" exists only in the human brain. Humans are the only mammals that go through "puberty." Between the ages of 10 and 15, humans are not yet adults, and the brain operates in a special way: its curiosity about reality and everything around it is influenced by the hormones of adolescence. This fosters an unfettered curiosity that is not afraid of anything, is imaginative, interesting, and almost abstract. If this "juvenile state" can be continued in adulthood, then people's brains can continue to imagine many incredible things. It is this kind of mental power that sets humans apart from other species, pushing us to walk upright, use tools, and make utensils. It is the fire of imagination that exists in every human body.
"Juvenile continuation" is the lifeblood of entrepreneurs, scientists and artists who work passionately and with creativity to meet everyday challenges. We need to cultivate "infantile continuation" in education, not destroy it. An education system that encourages technological innovation will produce future leaders.
Entrepreneurship
It is necessary not only to consider the development of science and technology, but also to promote economic and social progress
Reading Weekly: Speaking of entrepreneurs, how do you see the role of business in space exploration?
Inma Martinez: At EATA, our greatest contribution to the EU has been the development of a group of service providers for the aerospace industry – including telecommunications, transport, robotics and other fields that were born with space missions. When the European Aviation Agency chooses products and services from companies in the non-space sector, the quality requirements are much higher than when they were on Earth. Because in the space industry, each mission costs millions of euros and no mistakes are allowed. Airbus, BAE Systems, Thales, Saab and Leonardo are all companies that work with the European Aviation Agency and we push them to improve the quality of their products and services. In the field of telecommunications, in addition to China and the United States, the place with the most satellites in the world is Glasgow in Scotland. The city is determined to become a hub for satellite innovation and to bet on future GDP development on the space industry.
The companies that decided to enter the space industry were entrepreneurial, brave and far-sighted. They know it's a long-term undertaking and the race is just beginning. They need tremendous innovation capabilities to become the leaders of tomorrow. To work in this field, you must have enough determination, talent and passion. This is a demanding industry, it is setting a signpost for human civilization in the 21st century and beyond, only the best people can create value and seize business opportunities in this industry. It's an honor, a recognition of many of the qualities I mentioned earlier. Society must cultivate exceptional talent, creativity, teamwork, a collaborative mindset and a passion for day-to-day work. Working together for the progress and development of humanity – this moment is in the DNA of all those who work in the space industry.
Reading Weekly: You have consulted with government and business giants in many countries, how have these experiences influenced you as a scientist?
Inmar Martinez: In 2000, my team and I created the first personalized system for mobile Internet services. As a result, I have been invited to give many lectures, mostly by CEOs, CIOs, and members of the Innovation Department or the Trade and Industry Sector of European Governments. In my career in investment banking and telecommunications, I learned to look at business strategy and innovation from an economic and sociological perspective. As a scholar in this area, I have also received invitations from the private sector and governments to explain the impact of digitalization and disruptive transformation on industry and society. Subsequently, I became a member of an advisory panel to advise on the EU's digital strategy, the Organization of the Seven (G7) and the OECD's AI policy. This is not only to consider the development of science and technology, but also to promote economic and social progress.
For more than 20 years, I have been engaged in scientific innovation with an "applied science" mentality, hoping to make the cultivation of entrepreneurship a scientific value orientation - I am one of the earliest technology entrepreneurs in the technology industry and a pioneer in the field of mobile Internet. To drive economic and social progress, I want to ignite the flames of innovation and transformation for both large and small and medium-sized enterprises. This is also the hope of the government, for the sake of the national economy and the people's livelihood. As a government consultant, I learned how to view the economic and social value of technological innovation. In pioneering and innovating, I learned to accept all the challenges that came with me, to develop new products and services with enthusiasm, courage, and thinking about "what ifs".
In addition, most importantly, solve problems with creativity, imagination, and collaboration with scholars from other disciplines. This is all I learned when I consult with the government: I am an entrepreneur, a pioneer in the industry, but above all a person who can think long-term and work diligently. I believe in development, and I believe in humanity – we are full of energy and creativity.
Source: Liberation Daily