1 Introduction 1.1 Rationale

1.1.1 International Cooperation

Clearly, in our chosen future, we do not envision humans going to space to escape the Earth's problems. Instead, we want to create a balanced global society where the gap between developed and developing countries is narrowed. We want a planet where all decision-makers work together to solve global problems.

Human exploration is a major endeavor requiring a concerted global effort. That is why human exploration of space, being one of our tools to transform society, has to be coordinated at the international level. We need a cooperative global effort to ensure that space will benefit humanity as a whole and not only a chosen few.

The benefits of such international cooperation include cost-sharing and increased access to required facilities, technologies and expertise. Such an undertaking would result in the pooling of knowledge, thus accelerating the pace of scientific progress. Furthermore, a cohesive effort would result in a decrease in the redundancy of technological systems, thereby increasing the rate of technological development on a global scale.

Space projects are platforms from which developing countries can showcase their expertise and develop their own technologies. This, in turn, will narrow the wide gap that currently exists between developed and developing world countries. Such a cooperative effort would also lower political barriers and strengthen ally relationships, thus promoting cultural awareness and ultimately promoting world peace.

Nations are already learning to work together in the space field. We want to shape a future where they all cooperate, including old space nations as well as emerging or future ones. Reinventing a cold war to stimulate competition between countries would be a waste of money and regression on the path towards an advanced society. In the midst of the Cold War, who could have imagined that Russia and the United States would build a space station together a few years later? We have already progressed down the path of cooperation. Let's go further.

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