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Technology associated with space exploration
Impact of space exploration
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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. .
Space travel began in the 1960s with sending humans on single missions into space. Rockets launched into the air and just the tip would land in the ocean after parachuting back to Earth ("Space Shuttle Program," par. 4). The focus of space exploration changed during the 1980s; shifting from the desire for human space flight to the desire to create a reusable spacecraft. Originally called Space Transportation System (STS), NASA created the Space Shuttle Program (SSP) (Heiney, par. 1-2). It wanted a shuttle that was more economical because it could be launched, landed and relaunched and could gather better information. The 1980s began a new era in space exploration and had one the biggest tragedies in the history of space travel.
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.
After World War II both the United States and the Soviet Union realized how important rocket research would be to the military. So they each hired the top rocket scientists from Germany to help with their research. After they hired them both sides were making a lot of progress. The Space Race began in 1955 when the Americans announced that they would start launching satellites into orbit. The Soviets took the US announcement as a challenge and established a group whose goal was to beat the US in putting a satellite into orbit. Even though the United States started the competition the Soviets still won because they launched the first successful satellite into orbit, put a dog into outer space and also put the first man into outer space. Some might say that the United States won because they put the first man on the moon, which was a huge feat made by the Americans. So for winning many missions against the U.S. the Soviets won the Space Race.
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 Space Race began in or around the late-1950s, during the Cold War. The United States and Russia were both anxious to become the country to explore space. Unfortunately for the US, Russia launched the first artificial satellite and man-made object to orbit Earth, Sputnik. The launch of Sputnik surprised the United States, and we rushed to get our own space craft into space, and to beat Russia to anything else space related.
INTRODUCTION Attention-getter: “Space travel benefits us here on Earth. And we ain’t stopped yet. There’s more exploration to come.” (Nichelle Nichols from Star Trek) Credibility: Throughout our childhood as we study space, solar systems, planets we all come to a point of having the dream of exploring the space or learn more about it in the future.
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.
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.
Kirkpatrick, Larry, and Gerald F. Wheeler. Physics: A World View. 4th ed. Orlando: Harcourt College Publishers, 2001.
middle of paper ... ... NASA Marshall. Marshall: Launching the Future of Science and Exploration. 15 February 2010 http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/home/index.html>. NASA Public Affairs.
People have been venturing out into the universe for many years now. In addition to satellites, both women and men astronauts have traveled into space to collect data about the universe. The first human being, the first animal, and the first spacecraft in orbit, were all achievements of the Soviet Union.
Einstein, Albert. Relativity: The Special and General Theory. Three Rivers Press, New York, New York. 1961.
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...
Space has always been a pivotal and utmost important subject for many years. In the past, scientists have made monumental advances in this field such as sending people into orbit and landing a man on the moon. Of course, this has only barely been explored and we still have a lot more to see of the ever-vast outer space. One of the most significant topics of all of science has only been touched and there’s still more to come.
With a field as large as space is, metaphorically and literally, there is no end to all the advantages that can come of exploring the magnificent cosmos. One of the major questions we face currently is the possibility of life on other planets. “NASA's biggest ambition is the hunt for life and a habitat that can support life. Several planned or prepared missions will specifically explore the question of whether or not life exists, or once existed, elsewhere in out solar system” (Folger 3). That's exactly what we plan on using the Curiosity rover for. The MSL (Mars Space Laboratory) Curiosity rover was launched November 26th, 2011 and landed on Mars on August 6th, 2012 (Launch 2). “MSL Curiosity's mission is to analyze the climate, geology, and habitability of Mars to see if there is or has ever been life on Mars. Then, after gathering enough data, it will see if it's feasible to send a manned mission to Mars” (Anthony 2). We are already searching ...