As humans look beyond Earth we will need to develop new technologies for manned space exploration and build the infrastructure required to live and work in outer space. We also need advanced propulsion to enable long duration missions to distant planets or solar system outposts. There are some naysayers that believe we are wasting resources and lives on space exploration, but these people don’t understand the significant outcomes and benefits that it can produce for society at large.
Since the early days of space exploration there has been a fascination with exploring space, and the vastness of our universe. While the most important motivation for most government space programs has been to increase knowledge, boost national power and prestige, and provide economic benefits, there is an underlying sense that we should explore space for its own sake.
The exploration of space has led to amazing scientific discoveries. Satellites in orbit allow scientists to monitor the Earth’s climate, track natural disasters, measure crop yields and much more. Space probes have visited the Moon, landed on Mars and explored the planets of our Solar System and beyond.
Space exploration has influenced culture on Earth as well, from Yuri Gagarin’s selfie in space to the iconic Blue Marble photo and countless drawings by astronauts and cosmonauts. In the era of commercial space companies, private funding and reusable rockets, the landscape of space exploration is changing rapidly. These shifts are opening space to a greater number of people and fueling incredible innovation and competition that will accelerate the pace of progress.
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