Scientific autonomy and planned research: the case of space science

Scientific research that requires space flight has always been subject to comparatively strong external control. Its agenda has often had to be adapted to vacillating political target specifications. Can space scientists appeal to one or the other form of the widely acknowledged principle of freedom of research in order to claim more autonomy? In this paper, the difficult question of autonomy within planned research is approached by examining three arguments that support the principle of freedom of research in differing ways. Each argument has its particular strengths and limitations. Together they serve to demonstrate particular advantages of scientific autonomy, but in the case of space science, their force ultimately remains limited. However, as the arguments highlight the interrelations between scientific autonomy, the democratic process and the collective interest in scientific knowledge, they suggest that a coherent and sustained space science agenda might best be ensured by increasing the transparency of science policy decisions and involving the democratic public. Space Science and the Freedom of Research It is befitting to begin a paper on scientific autonomy with a reference to Wilhelm von Humboldt. The words he used in an 1810 government memorandum on the organization of the academic institutions in Berlin were to be inscribed in the cultural memory of generations of German-speaking scholars and scientists. With regard to both the Preußische Akademie der * Dr. Torsten Wilholt, Abteilung Philosophie, Universität Bielefeld, Postfach 100 131, 33501 Bielefeld. E-mail: [email protected] , Tel.: 0521 106 4605.