Space exploration is a way to collect data by sending spaceships, and satellites to space. It sounds very imaginative and sci–fi but with advanced technology and intelligent brains, it has been possible to travel beyond Earth. Humans have always been explorers, nomads, and curious creatures so no doubt that we also figured out a way to reach space and explore there. Space exploration has been an important aspect of science for years now. It has been gaining renowned respect as the years pass by. New missions and inventions have kept people awestruck and feeling pride for their nations. Organizations like NASA, ISRO, SpaceX and there are so many more that have been doing spectacular work in this department.
History
The first ever successful space mission was on October 4, 1957. It was an artificial satellite designed to orbit Earth, called Sputnik. Sputnik was launched by U.S.S.R. (Union of Soviet Socialist Republic). This event took place during the cold war and though the mission aimed to show off power to the U.S., it has been such a great advancement in the field of science. As rightly said “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Soon after Sputnik II was launched on November 3, 1957. This satellite carried a dog named Laika to space and it is heartbreaking that Laika couldn’t return here but it was an impressive step considering we sent a life out there. Since then, space programs have kept evolving and still haven’t stopped.
Importance
- Protection – We have only one earth and it is very crucial to protect our planet. It is very scary that our earth is just a tiny dot compared to the entire universe. The chance of getting run over by asteroids the size twice our planet is not negligible. Quite possible that any object with no orbit could just crash into our home planet. Unfortunately, Marvel being just reel and not real we don’t have Avengers to fight our battles therefore need to look out for any alien existence that may try to harm us.
- New Inventions – TV, internet, cordless tools, etc. are inventions possible due to space travel. If it wasn’t for our scientists figuring out a way to space, we would still be living in such sad times with no internet. We can’t even imagine a world without internet now.
- Health Benefits – Space travel have also opened various new opportunities in the health department. Advancements like digital imaging for surgeries, tiny transmitters, laser angioplasty, LED for brain cancer surgery, voice-controlled wheelchairs, programmable pacemakers, and much more. Scientists are in the process to figure out a way to fight cancer through this research.
- Motivational – Space missions make us feel proud to be citizens. Such big advancements kindle hope and motivation in the younger generation to keep studying. It promises them a better future and motivates them to work harder to achieve their dreams. It also drives them to one day have their names written in the book of achievements.
- Raw Materials – Some private space missions have also been launched to just get materials from space. Materials out there are not like the ones found on Earth. Scientists have found different elements from mining extraterrestrial objects. These elements are rare and are used in the manufacturing of products here on Earth.
- Home – Looking at the way humans have exploited Earth; it won’t be very long before we will need to rehabilitate on another planet for good. For this purpose, we will have to send out more satellites to find us a suitable planet to live on. We will need lots of research and exploration to find our new home.
Missions
The space exploration teams have not just been to the moon but also to almost every planet or are in progress. These are some of the recent space missions from across the world
- OSIRIS – Rex
- Parker Solar Probe
- Chandrayaan 3
- Chandrayaan 2
- InSight
- Mars 2020
- Europa Clipper
Extraterrestrial Activity
A question pondered over humanity since ages is ‘Do aliens exist?’ There have been so many space missions to date and people wonder if there are signs of life outside our planet. It is obvious that in a universe this huge, we cannot be the only residents. There are always rumors of a spaceship sighting, the government trying to hide the aliens, Area 51, unclear footprints found on other planets, distorted figures seen through telescopes, and whatnot but there never has been any solid proof to show that they exist. It is still not sure whether we are supposed to be scared of these beings or welcoming of them but it is important to stay open-minded.
Looking forward
We should buckle up our seats as we watch the highly talented space exploration team launch upcoming missions. Hoping, all of them succeed and reach their destinations. Some of the upcoming missions are
- NASA Space X Crew 7 Launch
- XRISM
- OSIRIS-Rex Earth Sample Return Landing
- Intuitive Machines CLPS Flight IM 1
- Psyche
- Lunar Trailblazer
- Aditya L1
- X-ray Polarimeter Satellite
- Gaganyaan 1
- Gaganyaan 2
- NISAR
References:
- NASA Upcoming launches [online] Available at – https://www.nasa.gov/launchschedule/
- National geographic (2023) The history of space exploration [online] Available at – https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/history-space-exploration/
- Howstuffworks (2022) Reasons why space exploration matters [online] Available at – https://science.howstuffworks.com/10-reasons-space-exploration-matters.htm
- Howstuffworks (2022) What breakthrough in medicine came from NASA [online] Available at – https://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/nasa-inventions/nasa-breakthroughs-in-medicine.htm#:~:text=Voice%2Dcontrolled%20wheelchairs,Programmable%20pacemakers
Image Sources:
- Image 1: National Today [online] Available at – https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fnationaltoday.com%2Fspace-exploration-day%2F&psig=AOvVaw10oyhq9f_Cy9l0U9e29NdZ&ust=1691635475830000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBEQjRxqGAoTCJDjg6_HzoADFQAAAAAdAAAAABC3Aw
- Image 2: Council of Foreign relations [online] Available at – https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cfr.org%2Fbackgrounder%2Fspace-exploration-and-us-competitiveness&psig=AOvVaw10oyhq9f_Cy9l0U9e29NdZ&ust=1691635475830000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBEQjRxqFwoTCJDjg6_HzoADFQAAAAAdAAAAABAa
- Image 3: Frontiers Blog [online] Available at – https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.frontiersin.org%2F2018%2F02%2F19%2Fpsychology-aliens-finding-extraterrestrial-life%2F&psig=AOvVaw1k_CjVkiRDvpnOYkWSzAce&ust=1691635736837000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBEQjRxqFwoTCLiHvKvIzoADFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE
