Space Tech
Beyond intrepid exploration, space technology has advanced to address pressing issues on Earth. It is becoming more and more essential to the effective operation of contemporary societies and their economic growth. Space has the potential to directly affect billions of people’s lives and open up large-scale, highly impactful solutions.
A broad term for satellites, space stations, ground stations, tracking and monitoring centers, downstream analytics and artificial intelligence, software, and other technologies, SpaceTech offers innovative ways to solve global concerns. Satellites increase communication, navigation, and earth observation capacity at low cost even in remote locations. Satellite-based earth observation data is vital, accurate, and reliable for data-driven decision-making by businesses and governments.
The underserved and otherwise unprofitable regions can benefit from high-speed connectivity thanks to the satellites. The application of action plans for intelligent agriculture, resource management (land and water), infrastructure development (urban and rural), climate and weather monitoring, environmental protection (including reducing the risk of disaster), and other purposes can all benefit from the use of satellite data.
Aerospace Innovation
The space industry is predicted to increase in value from USD 360 billion in 2018 to USD 558 billion by 2026 and roughly USD 1 trillion by 2040. Even though the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is one of the world’s top space agencies and is working on projects like the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NavIC) and the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), India currently only makes up 2%, or USD 7 Bn, of this market value.
One reason could be that the private sector’s contribution to the Indian space industry has primarily consisted of ISRO subcontracting, with ISRO historically handling the crucial value addition activities internally. Because of this, Indian private companies have lagged behind other world leaders in SpaceTech in terms of end-to-end capabilities.
The publication of SpaceCom Policy 2020, Space RS Policy 2020, Geospatial Policy 2021, and other policies, along with the creation of organizations like NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN–SPACe), have created a national push to expedite the private sector’s involvement in the Indian space area. The Department of Space is also working on a comprehensive Space Act and other policies, including launch vehicle and space exploration policies.
Because of our natural curiosity and desire to understand the universe, space travel has long fascinated people.
Recently, private enterprise and international cooperation have transformed space exploration.
This article will explore the changing face of space exploration and emphasize the importance of international collaboration and private industry.
New Space Technologies
Pioneers of Personal Space Travel
NASA, Roscosmos, and ESA were the only government space agencies allowed to explore space. However, private companies leading space innovation changed everything:
- SpaceX since 2002 has resupplied the ISS, developed reusable rocket technology, and prepared to colonize Mars.
- Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin offers professional and recreational suborbital and orbital spaceflight.
- Rick Branson’s suborbital space tourism company, Virgin Galactic.
- Innovating, competing, and seeking commercial opportunities beyond Earth are redefining space exploration in private space ventures.
Space Exploration Companies
International Space Cooperation
Space exploration requires international cooperation even as private businesses grow:
- The Earth-orbiting International Space Station (ISS) is a global collaboration marvel. European, Japanese, Canadian, Russian, and US space agencies participate.
- Mars exploration: NASA, ESA, and others work on Curiosity and Mars Sample Return.
- The Artemis Accords outlines global cooperation on the Moon and beyond, inviting international partners to lunar exploration.
Global Collaboration and Private Enterprises Benefits
Space exploration benefits from private sector involvement and international cooperation in a number of ways.
- Innovation: By bringing in competition and innovation, private endeavors lower costs and advance technology.
- Commercialization: Businesses worldwide can take advantage of commercial endeavors to expand their satellite deployment, space tourism, and resource exploitation capabilities.
- Shared Resources: Working together, nations can pool resources, exchange knowledge, and take on challenging projects.
- Scientific Discovery: Across national boundaries, international cooperation increases the possibility of scientific discovery and exploration.
Difficulties and Things to Think About
Although private and international partnerships present notable benefits, they also present certain challenges.
- Regulation: To address new challenges, the framework governing international cooperation and private space endeavors needs to change.
- Resource Management: A complex ethical and legal challenge is the responsible use of space resources, such as lunar mining.
- Space Debris: Coordinated actions ought to tackle the expanding problem of space debris and environmentally friendly space operations.
Space Travel Prospects
Future space exploration could lead to asteroid mining, planet colonization, and scientific breakthroughs.
Space exploration is entering a new era as private companies and multinational partnerships change the space environment.
Space exploration is more accessible, sustainable, and transformative than ever thanks to private innovation and international collaboration. It shows our willingness to push the limits and our enduring spirit of exploration.
Mars Rover
What is Mars Rover?
A robotic vehicle that investigates the surface of Mars is called a rover. Rovers are long-range, remotely controlled vehicles that gather data and take images while traveling great distances. They have found evidence of water, ancient life, and possible resources on Mars, among many other significant discoveries.
Six Mars rovers have been successful so far:
- In 1997, Sojourner became the first rover to set foot on Mars. During 83 days, it investigated the Ares Vallis region.
The twin rovers Spirit (2004) and Opportunity (2004) touched down on Mars in 2004. For many years, they investigated the Gusev Crater and Meridiani Planum, respectively. Opportunity stopped operating in 2018 and Spirit became stuck in 2010. - Gale Crater is presently being explored by Curiosity (2012). It has found evidence of ancient lakes and rivers, among many other significant discoveries.
- The Jezero Crater region is being explored in Perseverance (2021). In addition to gathering samples of rock and regolith broken rock and soil for potential return to Earth, it is searching for indications of prehistoric life.
- The first Chinese rover to set foot on Mars is Zhurong (2021). It is investigating the area of Utopia Planitia.
An essential component of our Mars exploration are the Mars rovers. They have made significant contributions to our understanding of the Red Planet’s potential for habitability.
