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Space exploration has only advanced since Russia launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik, in 1957. Less than ten years after that launch, astronauts were walking on the moon. Now, humans live and work in the International Space Station (ISS). Space technology is becoming more efficient, quicker, and more sustainable.
Sustainable Rockets
Sending rockets out of our atmosphere allows us to orbit, land on, and explore planets. However, it is costly to lose and spend money on so many resources. Reusable rockets dramatically reduce these costs. According to the Forbes article, “The Five Biggest Space Technology Trends for 2022”, reusable rockets make the process of sending satellites into space and sending up materials and supplies to the ISS more economical. According to the BBC article, “How does SpaceX build its Falcon 9 reusable rocket?”, SpaceX is leading the pack. The space exploration company's reusable rocket, Falcon 9, is more powerful and resourceful than any other rocket. Its Merlin engine can burn longer due to its health and is used in its descent back to Earth to slow down and allow the rocket to hover over the pad and safely land to be stored away, refurbished, and reused later.
Satellites
Although not new, satellites are becoming more modern and popular and are revolutionizing the way we view both space and Earth. The Forbes article states that satellites are becoming more advanced using GPS and imagery software to collect data. Additionally, after the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have explored how satellites can be utilized to track possible upcoming pandemics. Nature Medicine's article, “Can space-based technologies help manage and prevent pandemics?”, discusses the current concerns around the virus, its variants, and how we can use new tele-epidemiology and the use of space technology, alongside remote sensing in epidemiology, to prevent spreads. Tele-epidemiology is useful in risk maps and has been used in the past for the Ebola virus. Satellite imaging, digital contact tracing, and geographic mapping are all benefits of tele-epidemiology that help protect the health and safety of our society. According to Nature Medicine, in June of 2020, Nasa began documenting planet-wide changes of the pandemic and kept track of the virus alongside other countries and their aeronautics programs. Lastly, this geographic imagery and planning from the satellites allows medical professionals to see and track the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Cleaning up our Mess
Finally, space technology is being used to clean up our messes. Individuals have begun to notice the deterioration of our surroundings and realize that action must be taken to preserve it. Past and future missions leave potentially dangerous debris in space. According to the Astroscale article, “Astroscale’s ELSA-d Successfully Demonstrates Repeated Magnetic Capture”, ELSA-d, End-of-Life Services by Astroscale-demonstration mission, serves to combat our challenge of debris removal from space. ELSA-d is built with a magnetic capturing system that separates from the main server and efficiently collects waste. Once the waste is collected, the mechanism pushes the debris towards Earth, letting it burn and disintegrate in the outer atmospheric layers. Alongside ELSA-d is a similar spacecraft with the same objective, RemoveDebris. RemoveDebris will use nets to capture floating waste in space and collect it. Other scientists and engineers are developing new machines to self-destruct and accumulate waste in space to clear up and safely ensure any future space exploration.
These technological advancements have the power to change the way we view space. Exploring new planets, our atmospheres, and possibly extraterrestrial life is something that may come with the quick and productive advancements of space technology and exploration. From over 50 years ago, we have progressed to landing men and women on the moon, collecting rocks, and now having humans live and work in a floating space station. Yet, our growth and knowledge are still expanding, and reusable, efficient, and safe space technology will allow us to continue to do so.