The Example of News Research Project Paper

Tons of planning, research, experimenting, and technology is required for any space exploration mission, manned or unmanned. We have always had to have good technology, we need technology for any space mission in the past, and this technology is very good at doing a  specific job in the mission. So far, we have the nuclear fission system that we can integrate into spacecrafts to extend the length of the trip. We also have the ISS, which is a good control center for all space missions. We have rover technology, but all of this isn't enough, we need to find a way to store more fuel and supplies in order to go on longer missions.

Nuclear fission systems are a great invention and are an awesome stepping stone for longer manned missions. A quote from an article on nuclear fission says “Nuclear fission is the process of splitting cells which causes a release of energy, this allows for energy to be created during a mission. A small, lightweight fission system dubbed the "Kilopower," it can provide as much as 10 kilowatts of electrical power. This, NASA says, is "enough to run several average households," continuously, for "at least 10 years.” (Frangoul).  This quote explains that nuclear fission is Another quote from the same article stated, “For its part, NASA, together with the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration, has been working on a nuclear reactor power system that it says could enable long-duration crewed missions to the Moon, Mars, and destinations beyond” (Frangoul). This is going back on the potential that this power system has for space exploration. Although this is a great source of energy in space, it could still use some work on the integration of the system in space ships.

With the government not building any more spacecrafts, scientists have had to turn to private companies for the making of spacecrafts. The leading private company in space exploration is SpaceX, run by the CEO of Tesla: Elon Musk. SpaceX is a company that has been manufacturing space tech, including ships for many years, and they hope to launch a manned mission within a few years. “The objectives for the first mission will be to confirm water resources, identify hazards, and put in place initial power, mining, and life support infrastructure” (NASA, SpaceX). This quote is from NASA stating SpaceX’s goal for the manned mission to Mars in the upcoming years. This shows the work that SpaceX is putting into space exploration. Another quote from the same article says, “SpaceX is developing a family of launch vehicles intended to reduce the cost and increase the reliability of access to space.” (NASA SpaceX). This is another quote to show the improvement and plans that SpaceX has. With the reduced cost of space travel, space exploration could be more frequent leading to more discoveries. SpaceX is the rebirth of space exploration, they can use their technology and their people to influence other companies.

Another great piece of technology that we have today are rovers. Rovers can be controlled from Earth and require no astronauts to be sent into space. We have already had great success with the rovers on both Mars and the Moon. Rovers like Apollo, Curiosity, Opportunity, and Insight have made great discoveries on both the Moon and Mars. A quote on the Mars rover, Curiosity states, “With its 17 cameras, Curiosity has captured some of the most remarkably detailed images of Mars ever taken” (Oulette). This is a great example of the work that this rover has done on Mars to discover new things that will allow us to understand Mars better. Although rovers are a viable option for space exploration, private companies are still looking to get men into space.

The International Space Station (ISS) is a great means of communication and mid-mission stoppage center. The ISS is always in space, orbiting Earth, and is equipped with communication antennae which can act as a midpoint in communications. Not only is the ISS good for communications, but it is also good for exploration as well. “The spacecraft contains various modules that were launched by Russian Soyuz rockets. These rockets also enabled crews of astronauts to fly to the ISS from the year 2000 onward and to live there for long periods, conducting research and taking occasional spacewalks.” (Int’l Trends in Space Exploration). This quote voices that the ISS can be used as a home for astronauts conducting research in space for extended periods of time. Another quote from the same source gives, “space missions have recently attracted private-sector investment as well as the input and contributions of large corporations and of technology and Internet entrepreneurs. (Int’l Trends in Space Exploration)”. This quote is going back on the important role of private companies in space exploration, these companies can send men to the ISS to conduct research. With their access to the ISS, these private companies can discover many more things in times to come.

Space exploration has changed a lot in its existence. So much more technology has been invented and used for the discoveries made in space. A quote from a website on the changes of space exploration speaks, “The Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 missions visited Jupiter and Saturn, returning valuable information about both planets and setting the stage for what scientists called the Planetary Grand Tour (Extreme Tech)”. This quote explains the technology that has changed, rover wise. These two rovers have made extreme changes in the way we see Jupiter and Saturn. Another quote states, “Space exploration has created new markets and new technologies that have spurred our economy and changed our lives in many ways” (NASA Spinoff). This quote summarizes the impact that space exploration has had, and the ways that it has grown. Space technology in rovers has improved dramatically, and this has lead to many great discoveries.

We are in need of a perspective of the technology we have now and technology we need to be capable of manned missions to Mars. Two missions that are upcoming are, the men to Mars mission and the dark side of the Moon mission. These can all be possible, but some work is needed to improve our technology.

Works Cited

Chow, Denise. "What's Next for Mars Exploration." Space.com. Space.com, www.space.com/13739-nasa-mars-exploration-future.html. Accessed 1 Nov. 2018.

---. "What's Next for Mars Exploration." Space.com. Space.com, www.space.com/13739-nasa-mars-exploration-future.html. Accessed 1 Nov. 2018.

CNBC. 2 Nov. 2018, www.cnbc.com/2018/11/02/nasa-working-on-nuclear-fission-system-that-could-help-us-reach-mars.html. Accessed 25 Feb. 2019.

Extreme Tech. 26 Apr. 2018, www.extremetech.com/extreme/268268-how-space-exploration-has-evolved-over-the-years. Accessed 25 Feb. 2019.

"International Trends in Space Exploration." Gale Virtual Reference Library, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/BT2359070674/SUIC?u=state16801&sid=SUIC&xid=29bb06ae. Accessed 27 Feb. 2019.

NASA. www.nasa.gov/offices/c3po/partners/spacex/index.html. Accessed 25 Feb. 2019.

NASA. spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2008/tech_benefits.html. Accessed 25 Feb. 2019.

NASA. www.nasa.gov/press-release/demonstration-proves-nuclear-fission-system-can-provide-space-exploration-power. Accessed 25 Feb. 2019.

NASA. mars.nasa.gov/mer/mission/technology/telecommunications/. Accessed 25 Feb. 2019.

Smithsonian. www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/the-brilliance-behind-the-plan-to-land-curiosity-on-mars-180947633/. Accessed 27 Feb. 2019.

SpaceX. www.spacex.com/mars. Accessed 27 Feb. 2019.