The future of space travel





By: Peter Lewis

The space race of the Cold War has led to numerous advancements in science, medicine, and everyday life.  Exploration of the cosmos has put man on the moon, seen light-years into the darkness, and might even show us how we got here.  NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has been at the front of the exploration and advancement.  Their crown jewel, and an American staple for decades, the Space Shuttle Program, has led to many of today’s societal advancements.  Yet, in 2011, the final shuttle mission was completed and the program retired.  Since, NASA has had to rely on Russia for space travel to the ISS, or International Space Station.  With Russia and China becoming more involved with space travel, especially with China’s rover on the moon now, many wonder what NASA’s plans are for the next generation of space flight and discovery.  NASA has revealed plans broken into five categories: exploration, the ISS, aeronautics, technology, and science.

In exploration, NASA has the new space craft named Orion.  Orion’s main goal will be to allow astronauts to take longer trips at greater distances from Earth’s orbit with a new space launch system, or SLS. 

Other goals include landing astronauts on an asteroid that has been captured and relocated, as well as a planned trip to Mars in the 2030’s.  The main goal though is to allow NASA’s astronauts to explore the solar system.

For the ISS, plans will remain the same: multiple crews staying up there for long durations of time for a year to continue scientific research.  NASA is currently looking for American companies to help provide cargo and crew transport on the station.  The goal for this is to help with said missions to Mars and the asteroid.

In aeronautics, NASA looks to the US to remain the leader in flight and keep it a cornerstone of the US culture.  With this, the public can expect better, safer, more mobile, and more environmentally conscious planes for travel.  With supersonic speed and new software, NASA looks to change the flight industry in the coming decades.

With technology, NASA looks to continue to make advancements and discoveries that have helped medicine and life today.  Development of human and robotic exploration of the solar system is under way, with advancements in solar electric propulsion, solar sails, and cryogenic storage tanks for refueling.

NASA’s scientists hope to find out more about the universe as well as Earth with more return missions to the moon coming soon. 

It’s safe to say even with a period of stoppage of sorts at NASA, it has not hindered their ambitions and, once Orion is up and running, it will be back to business.