Future Space Explorations: Benefits To Society
- Paper number
IAC-07-E3.I.02
- Author
Mr. Ashish Sharma, Jaypee University of Information Technology, India, India
- Coauthor
Mr. Neeraj Kohli, India
- Year
2007
- Abstract
Purpose: The paper presents an insight on the benefits associated with space exploration and the impact of knowledge gaining for the benefit of mankind. The paper presents a vision for this sort of work to be done not just for the benefit of our descendents but also as a debt to our ancestors. All terrestrial life has evolved and adapted to the conditions prevalent on mother earth but almost all of us still wonder of the effects of low gravity and cosmic rays on plants, insects and other animals. We are in a quest to learn the effects on humans during very long space missions. We still want to meet someone from outer space, a guest on earth and ask him questions that bubbled in our hearts since ages. We want to give the best of all available things to the society and wish to make better and newer materials in the exotic space environment. Innovative technologies will make it possible for scientists to exploit the extreme vacuum and ultra low temperatures to carry out experiments for the betterment of all.
Methodology: The abundant solar radiations can be used to power solar cells and solar sails. The solar spectrum can be monitored to understand the effects on earth. The fundamental properties of plasma and its behavior in space is a subject of great importance. Space missions can be used to make in situ measurements and study associated problems. With a suitable combination of sensors, cameras, radars, image processing techniques etc in selected wavelengths, numerous parameters, phenomenon and events could be studied over a long period of time. We could observe dynamics and composition of the atmosphere, cloud cover, precipitation, storms and cyclones, sea surface color and temperature, ice cover, plant cover and many more. Further, there are diverse applications of remote sensing applications. Finally, it also lends us a powerful capability to establish long term trends in global changes. Having seen the numerous scientific returns of looking down on planet earth, we may look up at the black sky above through any of the electromagnetic windows. From space, we have full seeing power in the abyss. Technological capabilities in orbiting satellites, large space telescopes using gamma detection and x-ray astronomy has contributed to discoveries that is continuously revising our ideas about space. Space debris can be monitored to get materials of abundance for the people living down in here. Concepts in science and technology have also provided us with opportunities for enriching the scope of space experiments. We have immense opportunities to utilize the gravitation of planets to move our space vehicles. We can reveal many secrets about our origins and other processes happening deep down in space, all for our own benefit.
Conclusion: The need for international co-operation is a must for monitoring any happening in space. The space station is a venture for the future and is the ultimate laboratory providing immense opportunities for new explorations. We may one day be able to fulfill our long cherished dream to colonize space. The space age is just about 45 years old and we have already witnessed incredible achievements in space technology and space science. So, what lies in store for us? What are the prospects? These are the questions that will be answered in future only but the promises are even greater, the tasks harder and the requirements of technologies more demanding than ever before, but these challenges will have an exhilarating effect on the ingenuity of the human spirit.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-E3.I.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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