Futures of Space Research and Space Technologies:
Futures of Space Research: As a space enthusiast who wants to be a part of the space sciences and technologies, this field has made a very unparalleled impact on human civilization. It is very important to continue research as we see how space technology can upgrade the quality of life globally while exploring innovative ideas including space colonies, interstellar travel, and much more.
Space research has enabled transformations in many areas of science and engineering. It had its major focus on making things work and fulfilling the dreams of man through achievement in technology.
Some examples are television, new ways of communication, and satellites for integrated pictures of Earth. It is becoming a great asset as it enhances the quality of human
life on the planet.
Read More: Technological Advancements 2020-2021
The need for Space Exploration
World’s population today is 7.8 billion and is expected to be 9.7 billion by 2050. Population growth gives rise to water scarcity, energy, natural resources, and increasing damage to nature.
Fossil fuels are going to end in this century. The oil reserves, coal mines, and natural gas are on the verge of depletion. However solar energy from the Sun is a renewable source of energy.
Solar fields and Consumption Rate:
If we increase the area of the solar fields, production will surpass the current consumption rate. But the Sun is present in one place for just 6-8 hours a day whereas space solar power station takes radiation 24 hours every day. Countries should make it a global mission for getting a never-ending renewable energy supply from space.
More than 70% of the Earth is covered with water, but only 1% is available as freshwater suitable for drinking. By 2050, with an increase in population, we will be living under a moderate or extreme scarcity of water.
New sources of clean water
There are ways for providing fresh water either reducing the demand, recycling, or finding new sources of clean water. Here Earth’s observation satellites play an important role by surveying the water bodies and providing data so that water storage during the rainy season can be maximized.
Establishing new supply sources by using reverse osmosis technology on a large scale can be an effective method for providing fresh and safe drinking water. As this process takes up very much energy, it could be done by linking a space solar power station to reverse osmosis technology.
Futures of Space Research- Information about the Atmosphere
In the past decades, space observations through satellites, helium balloons, rockets, and astronomical observatories have provided us with valuable information on the atmosphere.
With this help, we already know that the CO2 content in the atmosphere is going up and it causes global warming.
The solution to
- Start using clean renewable sources of energy.
Many places on the planet experience severe disasters such as cyclones, and earthquakes. This results in destruction and potential loss of life. These are underground phenomena and their prediction from space would be a great challenge.
Futures of Space Research- Prediction of shock waves
Scientists should work together to use satellite deep penetration images for the prediction of shock waves below the surface. This could provide an earlier warning so that people can move to safer places.
This technology can also be used in forecasting landslides, volcanic eruptions, floods, hurricanes, and many other natural disasters.
Space Missions and Futures of Space Research
In the 21st century, humans’ approach toward space indicates the world’s next industrial revolution, which may be called the Space Industrial Revolution.
This doesn’t mean that this revolution will only take place in space. It means there will be revolutionary changes for new space systems and also on the planetary level.
The factors which can drive the Space Industrial Revolution can be:-
The Moon provides an ideal environment for large-scale solar power stations. There is no air or water present to degrade the solar panels.
Other than that it is extremely quiet with no weather changes and no biological processes that affect the equipment.
Seeing the Moon as a potential hub, many countries have sent missions for exploring the surface.
Recently, for the first time in history, NASA astronauts were launched from America in a flight of SpaceX Crew Dragon to the International Space Station.
The dream or we could say the plan of the future as seen by Musk is that anyone can move to Mars with the help of rocket technology and work in colonizing the planet.
Conclusion
Futures of Space Research:
In the space era, Science and Technology have improved our knowledge of Earth and outer space. These technologies have improved the quality of life for humans.
In the coming years, the vision should be to
- Combine the benefits and help face the issues of energy, water, and the environment.
2. And we have to keep in mind the need to find suitable sustainable habitats in our solar system.
Written By Rajat Gupta