Man’s deep desire to unravel the solar system’s mysteries to understand better the universe has resulted in various nations launching space missions since the 1950s. Exploring space using crewed and robotic spacecraft has been the norm for many years. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) of the US started its operations on October 1, 1958, and subsequently launched numerous missions in space by sending machines, animals, and humans to gather the information that could help in increasing knowledge of the cosmos for human benefit. Space exploration has always captured the imagination of the masses curious to know about the asteroids and other planets that exist beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.
Government-sponsored space missions
Although the excitement about space exploration was palpable among people from all walks of life, the high costs of launching space expeditions left the task to the national governments of many countries. Government space programs, often labeled as ‘mission space,’ have enhanced knowledge while serving as indicators of national power and prestige, enhanced military strength and national security, and provided ample benefit to the public.
Private space travel
During the 21st century, entrepreneurs came forward to explore the various commercial potential of space that ushered in a new era of private space travel through Elon Musk’s company SpaceX, Jeff Bezos‘ Blue Origin, and Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic. Private space travel is only about taking a flight to space for recreation by the public without any intention of space exploration as done by the government space agencies. Today, anyone can become an astronaut, which till now was a privilege for the technical and scientific community.
Current space programs
Missions Mars – Mars, the Red Planet, is the hottest destination for the latest space missions, with US and China sending uncrewed spacecraft to the planet. NASA keeps up its activities in Mars exploration with the Perseverance Rover, gathering Martian samples for ultimate analysis of Earth and launching the test flight of Ingenuity, the first Mars helicopter. China’s Tianwen-1 mission will be the country’s first mission to Mars, and the Hope Orbiter of the United Arab Emirates’ maiden Mars venture is already on.
NASA’s Lucy – NASA’s Lucy mission is the first space program to study the Trojans, the asteroids linked to Jupiter, which scientists believe to be remnants of the primordial material behind the outer planets.
Upcoming space programs
Private astronauts fly to space – Axiom Space, a private space company, has recently launched Axiom-1 by sending a team of 4 astronauts to the ISS (International Space Station) on April 8, 2022, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The spacecraft Crew Dragon Endeavor carrying the crew will be in space for ten days, including two days of travel time.
NASA’s moon missions– A unique program among NASA’s upcoming space missions is the launch of the 101-meter tall SLS mega-rocket that will carry the Orion spacecraft on the top. The likely launch date will be some time at the end of April as the SLS is currently undergoing final tests before commencing the Artemis I moon mission.
Space missions have become a top agenda for most countries that have the strength to launch and sustain space programs.
