Space, the final frontier. Our future as a species points towards space, throughout the years man has looked to the stars, the future holds countless technologies that will help us exploit and traverse them. We are already testing edible plant growth in a zero G environment. Every day we are closer to developing a functional warp drive, thanks to the Alcubierre theory. Space is even a source of limitless power and energy. Why change the planet, when we can just find another?
For years the Lada greenhouse attached to the International Space Station has been growing edible plants such as lettuce, peas, and radishes in a zero G environment. (NASA) This sustained growth proves humans can be self-sufficient in space, provided the conditions are right. Technologies such as hydroponics can even grow plants without soil.
It has also been theorized that humans can live on nothing but Algae in space,
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This is where technologies like cryogenics and hyper-sleep/stasis come into play. Because of this huge amount of time required to travel intergalactically, Alcubierre’s Drive is currently proposed as a solution to interstellar travel. Even so, we never know what the future holds; it is quite possible that we can develop a powerful enough Alcubierre Drive to reach Andromeda within minutes.
Not only does space hold the potential to support mankind, it also has the potential to power it. Already today we are harnessing the power of the sun with our solar power plants. Only our imaginations limit how we can exploit the stars. We can harness the energy released from supernovas, black holes, nebulas and volatile asteroids. There is one theory in particular that is incredibly ambitious and interesting: the Dyson Sphere. Conceptualized by Freeman Dyson in 1960, it is the theory that mankind could encase a star in a massive sphere and harness 100% of its energy
The whole idea of time and black holes has been questioning scientist and many common people for decades. Whether or not the theories provided make it physically possible to allow us to ever use any type of a black hole to an advantage? Technology over these past years has allowed us to learn more and more about what black holes are and what they can do. While also allowing ourselves to discover new possibilities that they might bring forth to greater innovations in our near future. But we can only imagine, through our knowledge and technology, what a black hole could do for us, due to all the dangers they bring forth.
In conclusion this article was extremely informative and very easy to read. This article bettered my understanding in the universal expansion and proved to me how we need to be more diligent and careful with our planet. We need to support NASA so that we can continue to advance our science and technology to be able to understand even more the reasons for universal expansion.
With our world progressing so quickly in science and technology it is fascinating to look back at the literature that was the inspiration for these advances. It is strange that this genre, filled with such outlandish plot lines and characters, could influence the real world. In a way it’s beautiful. When these brilliant minds of mankind are able to grab an idea from the fictional world and work together to make it a reality. For hundreds of years, people have dreamed of what they thought to be impossible but to quote Star Trek, “Things are only impossible until their not.”
Space, an entire universe of planets, stars, and galaxies have sat out on earths horizon since the beginning of time. Every day we further our progress into this massive dark abyss, and consequently by furthering our technological reach we also take that next big step. We extend the range of the human race. With great power must come great responsibility, that is why The National Aeronautics and Space Administration more commonly known as NASA has officially created and filled their latest position, Planetary Protection Officer.
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.
the unknown regions of space is a necessary endeavor to secure a future for mankind. Many
Findings on Earth and other planets suggest extraterrestrial life could live in outer space, further encouraging scientists to proceed with their research. Discovering water is a great step for finding habitable planets. According to new studies, “Mars had a shallow pool of briny water on its surface long ago, NASA said in announcing what could be the strongest evidence yet that the now-dry Red Planet was once hospitable to life. ‘If we are correct in our interpretation, this was a habitable environment,’ Mr. Squyres said. These are the kinds of environments that are very suitable for life” (Bridges). Little evidence proves beings live on Mars now, but this dried up water source provides strong proof that Mars could have inhabited life in the past. Water is a key element of survival, and can also house marine life. Marine life could have simply died out when the water dried up. If Mars was truly inhabited by extraterrestrials long ago, then scientists cannot rule out living beings on any other planet in the universe, and must continue searching. Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons houses...
As a country we need to start investing more money and research into space technology. Programs currently exist for this effort, but the potential for research and progress is limited by a lack of funding; compared to other government funded programs, aerospace funding is pitiful. Continued research in space technology is a necessary step in our growth and development not just as a country but also as entire human race. If we are to achieve this goal, it is necessary to increase funding for space research and technology and consider the possibility of colonizing outer space. If we limit our existence to the planet Earth, and continue to drain the resources on this planet, we will destroy the only home we have.
There is never a one hundred percent assurance of any specie’s permanent survival on a planet. Therefore, instead of relying on Earth to house us forever, humans should look elsewhere. Scientists and astronomers believe that there may be as many as ten billion planets in the universe where conditions could support life as we know it (Space Communities). Living in these non-Earth environments would require manned space missions and future technology such as orbital habitats, slingatrons, space elevators, and th...
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.
Not only that, but our population has been growing at an extremely alarming rate. At our current rate, our species may not be able to survive for much longer. This is where space exploration comes in. With the recent discovery of water on Mars, and the finding of Kepler-78b, it is possible that mankind can prolong our existence. The possibility of interstellar travel seems to be an option, or even a necessity, if we wish to continue living.
Space exploration can lead to the possibility to find useful resources throughout the galaxy for human gain. Many severe problems on earth could be solved through space exploration such as world hunger, overpopulation, and dwindling fuel sources. Things such as fuel could be harvested from planets for power generation and propulsion technology, and land to cultivate for growing food, as well as land for building living areas for the growing population. These potential resources...
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).
Why should we go into space? What is the justification for spending all the effort and money on getting a few lumps of moon rock? Aren’t there better causes here on Earth?”- Stephen Hawking. Space is the everlasting, ever growing place where we happen to reside. From the beginning of intelligent life here on Earth, we have wanted to learn.
Clincher: As rightly said by someone, space is the final frontier for mankind, the space station is the first step.