Posts: 44299 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-21-2014 07:40 PM
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore has proposed awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for the International Space Station, the largest international peacetime project in history.
The Russian Academy of Sciences has now offered their support of the idea, RIA Novosti reported Tuesday (Jan. 21, 2014).
“Al Gore has approached the Russian Space Agency [Roscosmos] with a proposal to nominate the ISS, meaning those who created it, for the peace prize,” academician Lev Zeleny told the presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
“Roscosmos asked us to support this proposal,” said Zeleny, a vice president of the academy.
The scientist explained that the nomination would include as one body all space agencies and organizations that take part in the ISS project.
The presidium unanimously supported the proposal, stating that the project represents a perfect example of successful international cooperation.
Not everyone agrees however, if the space station is eligible for the award, ITAR-TASS reported.
"I am skeptical about the Nobel Committee supporting this proposal. As far as I remember, there are certain reservations in the provision about the nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize," [Aleksandr Zheleznyakov, academician of the Russian Academy of Cosmonautics] told ltar-Tass on Tuesday. "The prize is awarded not just for any work but for activity toward settling military conflicts and ensuring security of nations," he said.
A technological project, such as the ISS, can hardly be regarded as being in the sphere of the Nobel Peace Prize, Zheleznyakov added.
"But if this proposal is made to the Nobel Committee, this will mean popularization of the idea of space studies and will emphasize the importance of the ISS, also for the public. And whether or not the project gets the prize is of secondary importance," the academician said.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 904 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 01-21-2014 10:41 PM
I think the ISS works very well for a Peace prize. One of the major motivating factors behind the US supporting the ISS was to keep the ex-Soviet aerospace community from seeking employment with sketchy countries such as North Korea. It's never public relations wise as sexy to stop the buildup to war as it is to stop an actual war, but it is AT LEAST as important in the grand scheme of things.
Headshot Member
Posts: 932 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 01-22-2014 09:51 AM
This is a good idea in principle, but misses the point.
Those who sold the idea, to their respective countries, of combining Space Station Freedom and MIR 2 into the ISS back in the early to mid-'90s should be nominated.
They are the one who had the vision that we could work together.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 44299 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-22-2014 10:25 AM
I think the intent is to honor the entire team that made the space station a reality, from its early beginnings through its present day. The Prize isn't intended for the space station itself, but the people behind it.
cspg Member
Posts: 6225 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted 01-22-2014 12:45 PM
Since the Nobel Peace Prize is highly politically motivated, what would be the message conveyed if awarded to the ISS?
mode1charlie Member
Posts: 1205 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
posted 01-22-2014 02:42 PM
My first reaction is it's a totally valid idea. The ISS actively promotes international cooperation, mitigates space competition, and is a major feat of technology and engineering that provides a critical platform for potentially important scientific research.
JBoe Member
Posts: 985 From: Edgewater, MD Registered: Oct 2012
posted 01-22-2014 05:53 PM
I understand both sides of this issue. Would it be better to recognize the space agencies involved (NASA, ESA, JAXA, etc.) and a list all those who contributed, much like the Apollo-Boeing book that celebrates all involved in sending mankind to the moon?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 44299 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-23-2020 05:29 PM
From the Norwegian Industrial Forum for Space Activities, via Twitter:
Today, Norwegian parliamentarian Mr. Karstein Eidem Lovaas nominated the International Space Station for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 44299 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-23-2020 10:51 AM
Space Games Federation video
Calling all space lovers and peace advocates: the International Space Station has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for the fourth time — and we think this year it deserves the honor.
Astronauts Peggy Whitson, Koichi Wakata, Frank DeWinne, Nicole Stott, Cady Coleman, and Terry Virts, as well as other leading scientists, athletes, and artists from around the world, have come together to celebrate the ISS as the largest international peace time endeavor in the history of humanity.