Research For Better Space Vehicles example essay topic

1,028 words
Laser beams, intergalactic thrusters and space tourism, sound like a sci-fi movie? Well as weird as it may be, the above proposals and other many similar ideas that once seemed only of imagination may soon be possible. Ever since the first days of man, the human race has been baffled by the heavens above always wondering what is out there and if the moon really is made of "Swiss cheese"? Over time the human race has developed machines and other devices to help itself and to explore our boundaries, from the invention of the wheel to the horse and cart, to trains, boats and cars and now the modern day space shuttle. Technology has greatly been a factor in what we have achieved in travel, being a limiting aspect to what can be achieved.

To achieve adequate technology for further development, research must be conducted. Research and material development are one of the most expensive aspects of space travel in that there is so much that has to be taken into consideration for the pilot and / or the shuttle to arrive safely whilst staying under budget and using appropriate resources. Without space vehicles it will be practically impossible to learn more detail about the rest of the universe and of course the fact that the sun will eventually destroy all life on earth is another reason why humans may need space vehicles to survive in the future. Ever since Armstrong landed his spacecraft on the moon, the quest for more efficient, stronger space vehicle components and materials has continued.

With more than just two countries showing interest in space research nowadays, the technological advances have significantly improved the equipment and techniques used. For space vehicles to be light yet durable, many are conducted of high quality yet metallic alloys including titanium for strength, resilience and high melting point. For long-distance journeys into deep space, future space vehicles will require stronger shields and construction materials to withstand flying space junk and other occurrences that may cause damage to the craft. One interesting part of research being conducted is the research by Dennis Gallagher who works as a space physicist with NASA. He and his research team have conducted experiments and proposed creating a "magnetosphere" around venturing space craft to not only accelerate the space crafts speed to a possible 80 km /'s but to also protect it from gravitational forces and solar flares making sure our billion dollar projects aren't wasted. Research for better space vehicles is now conducted all over the world from Australia to Kazakhstan with the thought of unlocking the Universes secrets now a global interest.

Countries like Japan, Sweden, Norway, Chile, Ukraine, India, Canada, Great Britain and even tiny nations like Cambodia and Namibia expressing interest in creating their own Space Programs. Lacking in resources as they may, all the countries have been helped by one another to help achieve each other's goals, even borrowing designs from one another. However it is not just governments that are aspiring to construct aerospace vehicles, Company's have now begun creating their own designs and prototypes. Many of these companies hire ex-NASA and Russian physicists for help with developing these craft, principally for commercial tourism to become a reality in outer space. Research into space travel is now a fought-over commodity with these investors and large company's aspiring to be the most successful over the new commercial transport medium. With Space research being so heavily desired and funded nowadays, space vehicle development has really experienced a boom.

In fact with these company's all vouching for a slice of the space "pie", development has more new craft and prototypes than ever. Debates now rage over the design as to whether the craft is superior with or without wings, to have 1 stage or to have "multi-stages" which include a launch plane of sorts, and as always the choice between manned and unmanned craft. However with all this debate it is clear that it aids the space exploration venture in helping to find a first-class combination of what a superior space craft will be composed of and the best method of constructing it. These applications of research greatly help the astronomical community in that these can only make way for new technologies allowing us to explore the universe to a greater depth.

Without Space vehicle development and research, the Human Race's knowledge of the Universe will be severely limited to what we can see from this planet orbiting the sun. Just from landing on the moon, so much was learnt about the earths "night light" and then again over time since then until this day, space shuttle missions by the Americans and rocket voyages by the Russian Cosmonauts have proved invaluable. To grasp a greater understanding of how this vast enigma known as the "Universe" was created, whether other life exists out in space, if there are other habitable planets for humans and theories like wormhole travel. The research into vehicle development is essential for the human race to expand on their knowledge and eventually survive if need be.

Until another faster more efficient mode of transport is created, Space Vehicles will be the best way for the human race to experience the Universe in all of its entirety. Space travel will always be one of mankinds greatest quests, yet also maybe one of mankinds greatest perils with our little knowledge of what really is out there. Nobody knows quite what the future will hold or what the Universe may have in store for us, sending a huge asteroid our way to wipe us all out or maybe to be visited by little green men as the common belief still lies. But whatever it does plan on giving us, at least if we have our tiny metal space modules in comparison to the black holes that swallow light and time, we may be able to learn something other than whether or not planets are made of "Swiss cheese.".