Space Exploration: We Must Explore the Final Frontier

888 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: technology associated with space exploration

What if Star Trek was no longer a piece of fiction and it was possible for mankind to colonize other worlds? Exploring the cosmos would be able to answer many questions about the unknown. Humans may already be within reach of this extraordinary feat. Some requirements for space travel are: a dependable source of energy, capability to cover large distances in a relatively short time, and ability to communicate with Earth from considerable distances ("10 Technology Innovations"). If life forms are involved, the craft must be able support life. Though most of the technology required for such a feat has already been created, or at least in parts, certain obstacles still remain which can still be overcome. One of the important characteristics of the early ships sent out to explore other planets must be that they are intelligent. Just as it is for a cell, survival is vital. Building upon the artificial-intelligence in the Mars rover, Curiosity and the ISS, the space craft can be programmed to be able to interact, learn from its surroundings, and respond appropriately to changes in its vicinity. It is also important for the ship to be capable of building new machines when required. By combining the technologies involved in a 3D printer and robots used to manufacture electronics, the space craft can be made to install new components such as additional solar panels or to replace damaged sensors (Peixe). This will also reduce the space required for bulky equipment, as they can be printed on the spot. Using the same technology, a space craft can build seed-like bots to be sent to land on other worlds to explore, mine for resources, or start an outpost. Von Neumann probes, machines capable of self replicating, are closer to reality than ... ... middle of paper ... ...an-light-warp-drive/>. Peixe, Joao. "3D Printing Could Turn Space-Based Solar Power into a Reality." Oil Price.com. CNBC, 2 Dec. 2013. Web. 31 Jan. 2014. . Salisbury, David. "Scientists Develop Graphene-Coated Silicon Supercapacitor." SciTech Daily. SciTech Daily, 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 31 Jan. 2014. . Thomson, Iain. "NASA-backed Fusion Engine Could Cut Mars Trip down to 30 Days." The Register. The Register, 10 Apr. 2013. Web. 31 Jan. 2014. . Zverev, Sergei. "Special Relativity." General Physics. Towson University, 13 Oct. 2008. Web. 31 Jan. 2014. .

Show More
Related

  • Star Trek and Philsophy

    1395 Words  | 3 Pages

    Star Trek’s great accomplishment was giving us a stage on which to answer our “what if” questions about the future of humanity and explore philosophical ideas in a modern framework. What happens after we reach utopia? What happens when we meet alien life? What does humanity do when it doesn’t have to do anything? According to Star Trek, it boldly goes for the sake of knowing what’s out there.

    Read More

  • Theory of Relativity and the Special Theory of Relativity by Albert Einstein

    1835 Words  | 4 Pages

    Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity has had a colossal impact on the world and is the accepted physical theory reg...

    Read More

  • Persuasive Speech: Solar Power

    1587 Words  | 4 Pages

    Hamer, Glenn. "Solar Power Can Help Fuel the Future." Energy Alternatives (2006). Print. 19 November 2014.

    Read More

  • Space Exploration - We Must Explore Mars

    2978 Words  | 6 Pages

    Have you ever looked up in the sky and wondered if there is life elsewhere in the universe? Have you ever looked at a photograph of Mars and wondered if there really was ever life on it? People have a wide variety of opinions regarding these questions and with good reason. As far back as the broadcast of H. G. Well's novel, "The War of the Worlds", the world has been fascinated with the possibilities of what Mars may hold. Over time, the majority of people have come to realize that there is no way that life can currently be on Mars. Those who are uncertain think there may be microscopic bacteria underground.

    Read More

  • The Physics of Flight

    1566 Words  | 4 Pages

    Kirkpatrick, Larry, and Gerald F. Wheeler. Physics: A World View. 4th ed. Orlando: Harcourt College Publishers, 2001.

    Read More

  • Challenges Of Interstellar Space Travel

    691 Words  | 2 Pages

    The idea of interstellar space travel has been discussed for many years between many scientists and engineers since 1950s (Adelman, 180). It has not only been discussed but also demonstrated in science fiction literature. By getting the knowledge of interstellar travel, people wonder when will we be able to travel between stars and if it is even possible to reach another star other than the sun. However, others wonder “what is the point of spending so much money on something that it isn’t possible?” or “why do we have to study another star when we have the sun that light our day?” The answers to those two questions are; one day our sun will become a red giant and end the life of earth and the second reason a nearby supernova can affect our solar system (Mallove, pg .4). In order to escape from these tragedies, we need to find a way to be transported to another star. Dr. Leslie Robert Shepherd, nuclear physicist and member of The British Interplanetary Society, first published a paper on “Interstellar Flight” in 1952. From then on The British Interplanetary Society kept the research on “Interstellar Space Travel” throughout its history (The Telegraph, 2012). Our research question is “Can we ever reach other stars other than the sun?” This paper will explain the challenges of interstellar flight, ways to travel into space and finally projects that had appeared during the years of research.

    Read More

  • The Coming Schism By James E. And Alcestis R. Oberg

    1332 Words  | 3 Pages

    Humans have dreamed of leaving the earth and traveling space for many years, and up to this day they have taken many steps in the right direction. Yet, with every new frontier they approach, new problems loom over the horizon. All problems involved with space exploration may not directly involve space itself. Many of those problems surface right here on Earth. Some of the easier issues have been resolved, such as escaping the forces of gravity to reach outer space. More of these problems are far more arduous and the solutions need more time to be worked out properly. In “The Coming Schism” by James E. and Alcestis R. Oberg, humans have already begun colonizing space, yet there are still new problems arising. Major problems such as financing, communication and culture conflicts are important in the journey to space, because they all have the potential to disrupt progress.

    Read More

  • Energy as Matter

    989 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fowler, Michael. “Modern Physics.” Lecture. Mass and Energy. 1 Mar. 2008. Web. 13 Oct. 2013.

    Read More

  • NASA and Space: The Final Frontier

    953 Words  | 2 Pages

    Human fascination with the stars is as ancient as Babylonians and has been suggested to be older than Stonehenge. From “be fruitful and multiply” to “live long and prosper,” the instinct to protect and propagate the species has manifested in religion, art, and the imaginations of countless individuals. As human understanding of space treks out of the fantastical and into the scientific, the realities of traveling through and living in space are becoming clearer. Exploring, investigating, and living in space pose an expansive series of problems. However, the solutions to the problems faced by mankind's desire to reach beyond the horizon, through the night sky, and into the stars are solutions that will help in all areas of life on Earth.

    Read More

  • Albert Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity

    2019 Words  | 5 Pages

    Einstein, Albert. Relativity: The Special and General Theory. Three Rivers Press, New York, New York. 1961.

    Read More

  • Innovations Needed for Deep Space Exploration

    2718 Words  | 6 Pages

    It is within man’s blood and nature to explore, and space is our next New World. Man’s first achievement in space travel was the launch of the Sputnik on October 4, 1957. For the next decades, space travel was roaring like a rocket, fueled by man’s desire to explore, man’s desire for knowledge, and man’s desire to beat his enemies. However, these impulses have died out as the well of government funding has been diverted to wars and debts, and the interest of the American people has been diverted to wars and debts. Amidst all these issues it is debated as to whether or not space travel is worth the money and the attention of scientists, particularly since humanity faces so many issues on earth currently. However, because of the past inventions, current services, and future benefits, space travel is indeed worth the money and attention of governments and people. It is within our hands to control man’s advancement, and space travel is the next venue to do so.

    Read More

  • Humans Should Explore Space

    984 Words  | 2 Pages

    The recent events regarding the NASA Mars probes have renewed the debate of reinstalling manned space missions with the objectives of exploring and landing on foreign worlds such as the moon and the red planet Mars, rather than the use of solely robotic craft and machines. It is my belief that we should return to the days of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, those of manned lunar landings and manned space exploration. Robots simply cannot and should not be allowed to be the sole means of visiting these worlds, nor should humans only be able to witness new findings second hand through the use of computers and machines. It is human nature to be normally curious of one’s surroundings, and it is important that we send one of our own to new worlds. The effects that past missions have had on the world’s people, as well as our political and cultural climates are another valid reason for flesh instead of metal to lay claim to space. Also, the limitless applications and new education that manned flights can bring to us from on site human interactions could lead to another technological and industrial revolution like the original lunar programs had done for us during the Gemini and Apollo programs.

    Read More

  • Essay On 4d Printing

    692 Words  | 2 Pages

    4D printing offers the ability to make things that literally pull themselves together. The technology could also create objects that last longer than their 3D-printed counterparts and adapt to specific conditions on command. 4D printing is relay about using a 3d printer to print self requfingering programmable material. For example you have a non-living object that can change his shape and behavior over time kind like a robot but no microprocessors, in fact something that looks like a plastic. Skylar Tibet’s, the man who came up with whole idea has gone even fodder; he created a programmable sheet material. It look like a plastic, that in combination with the water it could change the shape in the cube. And the cube is just a beginning. It will be a million of shapes. It could be so useful, not just on the Earth but in the orbit as well. This idea could change the world, and living on it. Imagine you could just print your furniture. An...

    Read More

  • The Benefits of Space Exploration

    721 Words  | 2 Pages

    Some may think exploring outer space is simply a human’s curiosity. This is true but on the contrary, people explore to learn about things they may have never known and touch on the essence of the creation of the universe. Another reason for exploring this uncharted area is the technological advancements people have made and immense amount of innovation they have achieved in this field (Wood). Lastly, scientists study the other planets just in case one day humans need to relocate after overwhelming damage has been done to Earth. Suffice to say, it is a vital part of today’s day and age to research outer space (Rothery).

    Read More

  • The Future of Space Exploration

    1530 Words  | 4 Pages

    In short, the quickest, most efficient way to explore space would be to manufacture and launch space robots into orbit. The create so many opportunities for scientific discoveries, creations of careers, and a few steps closer to finding out how the universe and everything in it came to be. So are we really just a group of children and the cosmos are a rough neighborhood? The only way to find out is through discovery, and I know I'm going to brave that rough neighborhood.

    Read More

More about Space Exploration: We Must Explore the Final Frontier

Open Document