Through engineering, physics, computing and loads of passion, we've still only touched upon what is truly out there in the universe. While it may seem too costly or risky for governments to explore, what we discover in the frontier of space can truly revolutionize what it means to be a human being living in the present day.
Below I've listed some of the areas in which space exploration could truly shine as we advance our ideas and the feats we’re capable of.
Solutions to the problems of space exploration also have applications for current societal issues. For example, discoveries made while developing rocket engines and their means of fuel utilization can lead to innovation in more consumer-centrist products, such as cars, buses and trains. Breakthroughs aimed at allowing people to live on non-Earth planets can lead to building new housing in what were once considered uninhabitable areas (bodies of water, Earth's atmosphere, etc.).
Traversing the giant territory of space also has a lot to teach us about our current territory. For example, Earth's magnetosphere is vital to life on this planet, as it protects us from harm coming from cosmic radiation and solar winds. In order for life to inhabit new planets, ensuring a strong magnetosphere seems to be a step in the process. NASA is exploring building an artificial magnetosphere, which would help with crewed missions and ultimately habitation on Mars.
Space research and exploration is still in its infancy, with NASA only having been formed in 1958. While education likes to celebrate the most public figures in space exploration (astronauts, business moguls, etc.), there are a lot of interesting unsung heroes in the field. With more exposure to the great minds in the field via viral trends and other mainstream avenues, younger generations can be positively inducted into the world of and opportunities in space research and exploration.
A lot of nationalist pride surrounds the space race. With the help of the instant connection between scientists on the Internet and countries wanting to push forward globalization, the world could thrive working on space exploration as a shared front. This would have benefits such as intellectual breakthroughs/discoveries being shared more often, idea generation/brainstorming including more diverse perspectives and a healthy competitive environment allowing for continuous innovation. Common efforts to understand space could be a great step toward building a research environment that provides equal opportunity to members, regardless of variables such as lineage, race and place of residence.
What lifeforms are really out there? It's a fun thought experiment to sit down and rationalize the different potential presentations and inner workings of extraterrestrial lifeforms, given what we know about life on Earth and how life would exist in other planetary atmospheres.
It's highly probable that overpopulation could be a big issue later in this century, with the United Nations projecting the human population to be 11.2 billion people by 2100. With the surface area of Earth being finite, this would result in urbanization in new areas, possibly coupled with changes in housing and family size norms. Space may provide a new method to counteract overpopulation and keep rural and suburban areas in the world in balance.
Last updated: 2 years ago