Can The Space Flag be a rallying point for support for human spaceflight? (credit: Michael Huang)

The Space Flag

by Michael Huang
Monday, August 29, 2005

The humans-versus-robots space debate is a favorite of op-ed writers, although the “humans versus robots” description can be misleading. It implies two possible options: either humans or robots. However, there are actually four options: humans only, robots only, neither, or both. On another issue, all sides agree that robots in space do great work, so the only point of disagreement is human spaceflight. Humans versus robots is really a disguised form of “Should human spaceflight continue?”

This debate could be easily resolved with a single word, colonization. We want to put life (and intelligent life) beyond one single planet, and since humans are alive and robots are not, human spaceflight is essential. Even anti-human-spaceflight publications, such as The Economist, concede this point:

How many people are needed in a spaceship? Regular readers will know that The Economist’s answer to this question is: “none; space exploration is better done by robots”. But this is true only if scientific information is the goal. If the aim is colonisation, then both men and women are necessary.
— “Safety in numbers”, The Economist, February 23, 2002, p. 87.

Out of the four possible options, putting both humans and robots in space is the best policy. This inclusive approach has the support of NASA and other space agencies, the commercial space industry and the space enthusiast community.

The main problem with space colonization is that the everyday person, the “man on the street”, has never heard about it. When human spaceflight gets the headlines, its chief goal—its raison d’etre—is never mentioned. This failure of communication is dangerous. If pro-human-spaceflight advocates don’t define what human spaceflight stands for, anti-human-spaceflight advocates will do it instead. Politicians face a similar problem. In an election campaign, they must define themselves and their policies in the public mind (through advertisements, public appearances, etc.) before their opponents do it for them.

Colonization needs publicity. One of the great challenges for space enthusiasts in these times is to bring colonization into the public conversation. Unfortunately, the most effective ways of reaching a mass audience, e.g. television, are priced for big marketing campaigns, not space enthusiasts or non-profit organizations. However, there is an opportunity in one of the oldest forms of communication.

Flags have been used throughout human history, usually to represent peoples and nations, but also to represent ideas and movements. The Space Flag represents life and humans living on Earth, and growing towards living beyond Earth. Its main symbol, made up of seven overlapping circles, is the aptly named “Seed of Life”. The Seed of Life resembles a flower, a symbol of life and growth. The central blue circle represents the Earth, and the other six circles represent colonies. The stars—ad astra—represent the ultimate destination for life.

The Space Flag has a web site with more detailed information. Computer files of the flag are free to download. However, a real cloth flag will require a custom flag maker. Flag manufacturers can be found in the Yellow Pages or on the Internet.

Life and humankind’s journey to space will be long and difficult. Similar journeys, though, have been completed before: life’s journey out of water and on to land as well as humankind’s journey out of Africa and on to the rest of the Earth. The Space Flag will be a constant reminder of where we’ve been and where we’re going.

Michael Huang has web sites for the Space Flag (http://www.spaceflag.com) and Spaceflight or Extinction (http://www.spaext.com).

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