Title :
Technological Emergence and Adaptation: The Case of Earth-Orbiting Satellites
Author :
Richards, Matthew G. ; Hastings, Daniel E. ; Newman, Dava J.
Author_Institution :
Massachusetts Inst. of Technol., Cambridge
Abstract :
It is only through experience with technology that users and developers discover its emergent consequences. This paper provides an interdisciplinary view of adaptation, surveys the evolution and emergent consequences of Earth-orbiting satellites, and examines how the space industry adapted to new information on its impacts. General conclusions regarding technological adaptation are that (1) adaptations are frequently driven by disruptive events, (2) the pace of adaptation is correlated with technology accessibility and the size of the installed user base, and (3) the integration of a technology with a society may be viewed as a process of stakeholder alignment.
Keywords :
aerospace industry; artificial satellites; technology management; earth-orbiting satellites case; space industry; technological emergence; Aerospace industry; Manufacturing; Production facilities; Research and development; Satellites; Shape; Social implications of technology; Space technology; Space vehicles; Systems engineering and theory;
Conference_Titel :
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, 2007 Atlanta Conference on
Conference_Location :
Atlanta, GA
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-1774-2
Electronic_ISBN :
978-1-4244-1775-9
DOI :
10.1109/ACSTIP.2007.4472879
