Space Society
Logan Bahr & Michael Ifrim
Opportunity
The opportunity that we are addressing is the concern for
equal distribution of resources in our solar system, as
nations begin to expand their space exploration programs.
Some nations are decades ahead of others in terms of
technological ability, and we believe this substantiates a
catch-22 scenario for nations that aren’t the first to
explore—a modern day Gold Rush—where pioneering
nations obtain the greatest assets, while the laggard nations
are left to pick up the scraps. However, our solution does
not intend to only protect the nations left behind, we believe
our solution will be in the best interest of the pioneering
nations as well. No single nation is completely self-
sufficient, and by being apart of the solution, the more
powerful nations can prevent the lesser nations from
forming a coalition and launching a coordinated attack.
Technologies
Current Technologies
Currently in development is blockchain technology. This is technology that
is the basis for crypto-currency. Essentially it is a system of recording
information in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to change, hack,
or cheat the system. A blockchain is essentially a digital ledger of
transactions that is duplicated and distributed across the entire network of
computer systems on the blockchain. Being able to utilize this technology
would be very beneficial to the development of our solution.
Necessary Milestones/ Future Developments
In order to successfully develop the solution, advancements in algorithm
parameters as well as high speed connections are necessary. This will
ensure that every nation in participation gets a fair opportunity. A branch
from internet development is the milestone of blockchain technology.
Though blockchain is currently in beneficial use, an endeavor as great as
this one requires much more assurance of its success. This entails high
security parameters to ensure no third party can gain unwarranted access
and potentially steal the information. Reducing all potential risks is the
main goal in ensuring full support from other parties involved.
Societal Impact
Once this technology is developed, it holds the potential of helping
underdeveloped nations advance further than they were capable of.
This as a result will not only help that nation economically, but it
will immensely help in its societal factor. Foremost, the advanced
technology will allow disadvantaged citizens an opportunity at
advanced learning and as the technologies are advanced, society as
whole will become more intelligent. Education standards will rise,
and more people will be capable of creating a progressive line of
advanced technologies. Also, it will help increase the quality of life.
Since most underdeveloped countries do not utilize advanced
technology, this in part will help relieve the stresses most citizen
will endure. Technologies such as advanced computers and cell
phones will help enhance the quality of living most of these citizens
are accustomed to. In addition, the advancement of automation may
allow an increase of industry and will bolster the economic output
of that nation which will result in more money to the workers and
society as whole. Understanding that even though this developed
technology is given to any country at random, the potential
developments that ,may arise from this are exponentially beneficial
to any country that luck favors upon retrieving it.
Solution
• The solution is a lottery system based around the transparency
of blockchain technology
• Every nation has their own public/private keys on a USB drive
• The USB drives from each nation need to be inserted into the
machine in sequence for a random number generation
algorithm to run
• The machine will create one output USB with a private key that
only one input USB can unlock
• This winning key will contain the rights to the resource in
question
Societal Challenges
• Political
The solution requires that every key be inserted into the machine in
sequence, meaning that any participating nation can refuse to
insert their key, thereby halting the selection of a winner. There is
potential for political leverage here if one nation does not need the
resource in question, and refuses to insert their key until they
receive compensation of some sort. This behavior could be
discouraged or enforced through policy
• Economic
Since the solution determines a winner at random, there is the
possibility for winning keys to be unequally distributed in the first
stages of its implementation. This could result in an economic
implosion for some nations.
• Social
The geographical location of a winning nation could have an
influence on social unrest and tension between nations due to
social difficulties religion, race, etc.
References
Simplilearn. “What Is Blockchain Technology and Why Is It Popular.”
Simplilearn.com, Simplilearn, 1 Apr. 2021,
www.simplilearn.com/tutorials/blockchain-tutorial/blockchain-
technology#:~:text=Blockchain%20technology%20is%20a%20structure,'.
“The Truth About Blockchain.” Harvard Business Review, 21 Aug. 2019,
hbr.org/2017/01/the-truth-about-blockchain.
Victor, Robert, and Robert Victor. “How Technology Affects Modern Product
Distribution.” Hollingsworth, 27 Feb. 2019,
www.hollingsworthllc.com/technology-affects-modern-product-distribution/.
“Distribution Technology Trends Shippers Should Be Following.” GlobalTranz
Enterprises, LLC., 23 Feb. 2021, www.globaltranz.com/distribution-technology/.
“4 Ways Technology Has Changed the Distribution Industry.” Key Software
Systems, www.keysoftwaresystems.com/newsroom/4-ways-technology-has-
changed-the-distribution-industry.