January 19, 2001


STS 479I students.  I enjoyed today's class and I am looking forward
to Frank Drak'es video-con next week.  Be sure to investigate him at
www.seti.org and follow the many links.  There is the Drake Equation,
Project Ozma, Project Pheonix, The Allen Telescope, and not to mention
his thoughts on the presence of comminicating with other intelligent
life forms.

Get your questions/issues to Group 1 members by Wednesday 5pm.  We
promised Frank we would give him a list of the Q/A/Issues as soon
as possible, which means sometime next Thursday if we all keep our
act together.

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STS 497I: Space Colonization
Writing Assignment 1              
DUE February 5, 2001

NOTE: I have shortened the paper to 4-5 pages.  I do not want you
to go overboard with the writing.

Read the Discovers Book Two "The Earth and the Seas".  Write a paper,
no shorter than 4 pages and no longer than 5 pages. Discussion will be
Friday February 2nd to be moderated by Group 2.  The Paper is due the
following Monday February 5th by 5pm in my mail box: 525 Davey Lab.

In your paper discuss:

* The evolution of humanity's view of global geography.  

* What philosophies, issues and/or motivations promoted change in
  these views and what philosophies, issues and/or motivations
  hampered changes in these views?

* Who were the key people(s) and what were their roles.  

* What were the most significant affects for European culture/lives of
  discovering and opening up the East?  Address the socio-economical
  aspects.

* Compare and contrast the exploration programs of the Prince Henry
  (and King John II) and the Chinese (Cheng Ho).  Describe the
  differences in the philosophy of the governments, the political
  power structures and political environments, especially the transfer
  of political power during the programs.  Compare the use of economic
  resources in these countries and what this implied for sustaining
  such programs.

* Why was one so successful and one not (consider the power structures
  of the governments)?  Based upon the continued development of China
  and Europe, give your opinions (i.e. discuss) the long-term
  implications of such a program.  Is today's America an "Empire
  without Wants"?  What do think this implies for our future?

* Summarize your paper by discussing the analogies of "Sea Paths to
  Everywhere" with that of the space frontier.  What aspects are
  similar?  What aspects are dissimilar?  Were the social / economic /
  political environments of the time such that people should have been
  so compelled to explore via the ocean as compared to today's
  environments with regards to the exploration of space?