The ITSF Project

The European Space Agency (ESA) requested the Maison d'Ailleurs and the OURS
Project to conduct a study on technologies and concepts found in Science Fiction, in order to obtain imaginative and innovative ideas potentially viable for long-term development by the European space sector. The study was concluded in late 2001, but identification of enabling technologies as well as advanced technological concepts is still ongoing.

The Innovative Technologies from Science Fiction for Space Applications (ITSF) Web site
and e-mail forum are devoted to the continuing discussion and development of this project.

 
Introduction
Study Goals
Study Methodology
How you can contribute
Study Supervisors
 
En français
 
Introduction

Science Fiction (SF) literature, artwork and films are works of imagination, but often contain some elements of plausibility, with the story revolving around some known facts as well as inventions and possibilities that are to all intents and purposes beyond our current technologies. Although Science Fiction is not about predicting the future, several SF authors have taken modern technology and concepts (of their own time) and anticipated with some accuracy how new technologies would change our lives, well before these technologies were actually possible.

Space and its exploration have been among the classic themes of SF, from early works such as Cyrano de Bergerac's writings to Arthur C. Clarke's "2001" or, more recently, Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy. Science Fiction is thus full of descriptions of space technologies and systems - often just pure imagination, sometimes based on some semblance of fact. Early science fiction writers described space concepts and spacecraft based on the limited scientific knowledge available at the time. More modern authors, artists, and illustrators generally portray the same basic systems as used in real life space flight in their literature and art, even though they often try to extrapolate from known facts or to develop new concepts of their own.

SF works are sometimes inaccurate (or lack information) in many areas, but some of the anticipations made did come to pass and some of the systems and technologies described were subsequently successfully developed. [Examples include planetary landers (1928); rocket fins for aerodynamic stability (1929); construction of orbital space station complete with living quarters using material ferried up and regular service visits (1945); satellite communication with satellites in geostationary orbit (1945) and so on.] More recently, it has been shown that faster-than-light propulsion systems (such as used in the starship Enterprise in Star Trek) may not be so ludicrous as first thought and research is currently being undertaken into the concept of space warps. It has also been reported in the press that scientists working independently in the USA, Europe as well as Australia have carried out some form of teleportation. Therefore, one can imagine that SF still holds several concepts worth studying and developing.
 
Study Goals
 
The main objective of the ITSF Study was to review past and present SF literature, artwork and films in order to identify and assess innovative technologies and concepts described which could be possibly developed further for space applications.

This was done through an examination of those SF works which it was believed could hold some imaginative concepts related to space applications in order to list the innovative technologies found therein. Technologies of interest to the ITSF study include, inter alia, manned and unmanned spacecraft, space stations, lunar and planetary bases, launchers and landers, propulsion, attitude and orbit control, navigation and guidance, life support, thermal protection, communications, instruments and payloads, robotics, materials and components, cabin quarters, etc.

As the final goal was to obtain fairly firm ideas viable for long-term development by the European space sector, emphasis was put on literature, art, etc. more likely to hold well-described or applicable concepts, i.e. recent works (after the beginning of the Space Age - though, earlier, more fanciful works were not necessarily excluded), as well as so-called "Hard SF" ("The form of imaginative literature that uses either established or carefully extrapolated science as its backbone", according to writer Allen Steele).

Study Methodology
 
Scientists, engineers, SF writers and buffs as well as the interested layman were asked to prepare factsheets on the science fiction books that they had read or were familiar with. These fact sheets contained brief descriptions of the technologies and concepts mentioned in the books, together with an indication of how and why they were applied. At the same time, a preliminary assessment of these technologies was done: ie. technologies known to be in current use or under development or which have already been rejected as unfeasible by competent authorities.

The study supervisors - along with SF writers, engineers, experts and anyone seriously interested in the project - are identifying whether any of these technologies might hold potential for further analysis leading to feasibility studies. The technologies listed are being examined to see what might be possible with today's knowledge, technologies and materials, or what new technologies and knowledge might be required to make any of the identified SF concepts work.

Following this, an in-depth technological study will then be carried out in order to make a more extensive evaluation of the major technologies deemed to be of sufficient interest by a panel of experts. The objective will be to ascertain whether any of these are worthy of eventual consideration for ESA's long-term space programmes.
 
How you can contribute
 
Some people tend to see Science Fiction as pure imagination with no serious scientific background. The ITSF study is an opportunity to see not only if SF does indeed express ideas that are ahead of their time (in the field of space technologies), but also whether these ideas could actually be exploited. It is an in-depth look beyond the actual borders of science and technology, and it deals with exciting concepts that might be explored in the next decades. This project could also contribute to some of these ideas being further studied by ESA engineers in the near future.

For SF fans, the ITSF study should be a stimulating perspective, as it will create an unique review of imaginative ideas related to space technologies found in the SF domain. It might even give ideas to authors and affect new trends in Science Fiction!

Therefore, if you are interested in technology, new advanced concepts, space or Science Fiction (literature, films or art), you are welcome to join the ITSF E-mail Discussion Forum: comments and explanations regarding the Fact Sheets or evaluation of technologies will be discussed there, as well the study itself and how it is (or should be) conducted. You can also use the Fact Sheet Submission Form if you have in mind any technology that hasn't been listed yet and that you think is worth considering (please refer to the "Fact Sheet help menu" to guide you in filling the form). Also, if you are aware of any resources on the Internet that may be relevant to this study, you are invited to add them to the ITSF Resources list.

Contributors to the study will be given access to the study resources and its final results.
 
The Study Supervisors
 
The European Space Agency - www.esa.int
 
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides for and promotes, for exclusively peaceful purposes, co-operation among European States in space research and technology and their space applications, with a view to their being used for scientific purposes and operational space applications systems.
 
For over 30 years, the Member States of ESA (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Canada which also takes part in some programmes) have worked together and pooled their resources to open up new pathways in space exploration and the development of advanced technologies for the nations of Europe.
 
ESA's convention lays out the task of defining and putting into effect a long term European space policy that allows Europe to become and remain competitive in the field of space technology. ESA also endorses a policy of co-operation with various partners on the basis that pooling resources and sharing work will boost the effectiveness of its programmes. ESA's European space plan spans the fields of science, Earth observation, telecommunications, space segment technologies (including in-orbit stations and platforms), ground infrastructures and space transport systems, as well as microgravity research. Its role also takes in co-ordinating the Agency's own work with the national programmes of its members, so that they can be progressively integrated within pan-European programmes.
 
The Maison d'Ailleurs - www.ailleurs.ch
 
The Maison d'Ailleurs (House of Elsewhere), a non-profit foundation, was created in 1976 in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, by French encyclopedist Pierre Versins.
 
It is the only public Museum exclusively dedicated to Science Fiction, Utopia and Extraordinary Journeys. It explores the main themes of Science Fiction (space travel, future cities, etc.) and puts up exhibitions of the major artists in the field (W. Siudmak, Ph. Caza, J. Fontaine, etc.).
 
The Maison d'Ailleurs also serves as a research and documentation centre with a unique collection. It provides information for students, journalists, writers, curators and the like. The collection has more than 60'000 pieces: a constantly growing research library, rich with c. 40'000 books in 40 languages, and thousands of objects related to Science Fiction and Utopia (paintings, illustrations, posters, discs, movies, games and toys, etc.)
 
The OURS Project - www.ours.ch
 
The OURS Project is a non-profit cultural and astronautical organisation in Switzerland.
 
The primary purpose of the OURS Project is to introduce, nurture and expand a cultural dimension to humanity's astronautical endeavours. This task is being manifested through the identification, investigation, support and realisation of related cultural, astronautical, humanitarian, environmental and educational activities which may take place both on and off planet Earth, and which are deemed as beneficial to the development and advancement of human civilisation in this new environment.
 
The OURS Project has been responsible for organising space cultural events both on and off Earth. Numerous exhibitions, symposia and publications, i.e. IAF Congresses Oslo, Torino, Melbourne. Space art projects realized on the Mir space station 1993 (Cosmic Dancer Sculpture) 1995 (Ars Ad Astra - The 1st Art Exhibition in Earth Orbit on EuroMir95), etc.