We wish to advise readers that this issue of the Journal of Space Philosophy completes five years of its publication for the Global Space Community. We acknowledge the excellent continuous professional work of Kepler Space Institute (KSI) officers and staff, and the Journal’s Board of Editors (see the last article in every issue) since 2012, for the creation of this valuable resource reference. We intend to continue its publication in perpetuity.

It will be useful to review for readers the long-term vision of KSI and the major policies for article publication that have not changed through those five years.

KSI’s Long-Term Vision

Our umbrella and long-term vision is simple in statement, but precedent breaking for humanity. We believe that Space offers humanity the potential for historic achievement of peace insuring survival. The first issue of this journal, Fall 2012, published the KSI philosophy. Abbreviated, the aim is reverence for life within ethical civilizations implemented by the Policy Sciences. Although never achieved, and extremely complex, we believe that humanity can achieve this vision in Space where there is no history of human conflict or war. As that vision successfully evolves, it will be a model for replication on Earth.

This journal is dedicated to documenting Space research, education, presentations, conferences, and publications leading to that vision. It is designed to be a scholarly, universal reference for Space knowledge. Authors hold the copyright for their publications. The KSI Board of Directors does not take positions on developing or controversial Space concepts, theories, or programs. Authors are responsible for the positions, arguments, and forecasting in their articles. We published our KSI space philosophy in the first issue, Fall 2012. Over the past five years, we have found no reason to change those fundamentals, which are fundamental to the long-term vision. Many of the articles published since 2012 provide sub-system details of that philosophy.

The original cover for this Issue was designed by Haroon B. Oqab, Program Manager and National Technical Program Manager of the Canadian Space Society. He is a valuable member of Kepler Space Institute.

Bob Krone, PhD, Editor-in-Chief Gordon Arthur, PhD, Associate Editor