Humanity has had many space projects so far, and people who work in this industry don’t plan to take any breaks. Ever since Yuri Gagarin took Vostok 1 into space back in 1961, we can’t stop but work hard for similar ambitions. Ever since we have put men on the Moon and robots on Mars. But what are the most important and latest space projects? What upcoming space projects do NASA and private space companies have? Do all space projects involve research or are we building spacecraft for other purposes, too? If you want to find answers to these questions, give this article a read.
What are the latest space projects?
Some of the current space projects involve space tourism, providing global satellite internet, colonizing the Moon and Mars, and going to space in reusable rockets. Scientists and space engineers also work on developing the next-generation spacesuit, introducing space mining activities, protecting our planet from asteroid impacts, developing a spaceplane, and launching space rockets from private sites. The best news is that the more space projects are in line, the more private companies want to invest in space exploration. Many CEOs and startup business owners are passionate about space and run various space programs. Until the late 20th century, only NASA and governmental agencies were involved in space projects. But things have changed, and now anyone who has funding and an idea can make their space dreams come true.
What projects has NASA done?
NASA’s most curious program is, without any doubt, a new stage of Moon exploration. The Artemis program should help us go to the Moon and beyond. NASA’s Dragonfly project, for example, is working on sending a rotorcraft like a drone to Saturn’s moon Titan to study it and find out more about the Universe. Europa Clipper is a project that will conduct a detailed reconnaissance of Jupiter’s moon to investigate whether it sustains life. The ISS project will continue, too, because it provides valuable information and is the most advanced space research project. MSR is a project that involves bringing pristine samples from Mars to our planet for research, whereas the Psyche mission is a journey to the metal asteroid that orbits the Sun between Jupiter and Mars.
What is the most famous NASA project?
Apollo 11, or the Walk on the Moon mission, is the most famous NASA project, so far. However, this program had to be shut down because of high costs and low returns. Forty years later, NASA decided to launch a new Moon landing program. Orbital Today explains that Artemis should put us on the Earth’s satellite again.
Another famous NASA project is Skylab, the first American space station. Skylab operations included a solar observatory and an orbital workshop for conducting Earth observation and other types of experiments. But the station’s orbit decayed, and Skylab eventually disintegrated in the atmosphere way back in 1979. Its debris scattered across Western Australia and the Indian Ocean.
Lastly, NASA’s Gemini program succeeded after astronauts Edwin “Buzz” E. Aldrin and Lovell rendezvoused and docked a tethered station while doing an exercise and the Agena Target Vehicle.
What should New Glenn and Starship accomplish?
New Glenn is Blue Origin’s space rocket project, just like SpaceX Starship is a brainchild from SpaceX. Capable of carrying 45 metric tons to low-Earth orbit (LEO) and over 13 metric tons to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), New Glenn will be the space rocket that launches payloads into high energy transfer orbit.
On the other hand, SpaceX is working on Starship to take cargo and eventually crews to Mars and the Moon. NASA is planning to use Starship for the Artemis 3 mission, which should land humans on the Moon. According to Elon Musk, the spacecraft will go interstellar one day. Starship is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built.
What space projects protect our planet?
Space projects don’t involve only space exploration activities, but they are also focused on protecting our planet. Let’s not forget that we have thousands of Earth satellites in orbit to monitor weather, monitor natural disasters, and provide emergency help to disaster-ridden regions.
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) collaborate on the EarthCARE project that involves gathering data on aerosols, radiation, and clouds. Other space projects involve space debris removal and protecting the Earth from asteroid strikes. Private companies are working on developing new satellites and space equipment for these purposes.
As of late, space debris removal programs have become more important than ever because the low-Earth orbit (LEO) has gathered too many dead satellites, pieces of spacecraft, and rocket parts. If we want new and workable satellites to remain in orbit, it’s essential that we get rid of space debris. Finally, cleaning our orbit of space debris will ensure we can keep exploring space, which in turn, will lead to many more exciting space projects!
Author:
Emma Thorpe
