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Author Topic:   Nobel Peace Prize for the space station
Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 44299
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 01-21-2014 07:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 904
From: CA.
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 01-21-2014 10:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SkyMan1958   Click Here to Email SkyMan1958     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 932
From: Vancouver, WA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012

posted 01-22-2014 09:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Headshot   Click Here to Email Headshot     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 6225
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006

posted 01-22-2014 12:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for cspg   Click Here to Email cspg     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Since the Nobel Peace Prize is highly politically motivated, what would be the message conveyed if awarded to the ISS?

mode1charlie
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Posts: 1205
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 01-22-2014 02:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mode1charlie   Click Here to Email mode1charlie     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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
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Posts: 985
From: Edgewater, MD
Registered: Oct 2012

posted 01-22-2014 05:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for JBoe   Click Here to Email JBoe     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
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.

All times are CT (US)

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