Main article: Europa Clipper Animation of Europa Clipper trajectory around JupiterĮuropa Clipper (previously known as Europa Multiple Flyby Mission) is an interplanetary mission in development by NASA comprising an orbiter. After 2033, Lucy will continue cycling between the two Trojan clouds every six years. Lucy has two close Earth flybys before encountering its Trojan targets. The spacecraft's path (green) is shown in a frame of reference where Jupiter remains stationary. In order to make such an approach viable, three requirements need to be fulfilled: first, "a thorough asteroid survey to find thousands of nearby bodies suitable for astronauts to visit" second, "extending flight duration and distance capability to ever-increasing ranges out to Mars" and finally, "developing better robotic vehicles and tools to enable astronauts to explore an asteroid regardless of its size, shape or spin." Furthermore, using asteroids would provide astronauts with protection from galactic cosmic rays, with mission crews being able to land on them without great risk to radiation exposure Main article: Exploration of the asteroidsĪn article in science magazine Nature suggested the use of asteroids as a gateway for space exploration, with the ultimate destination being Mars. NASA has also reported research investment in microbial vaccine development and microencapsulation of drugs for targeted and more efficient treatment delivery. For example, NASA's research on new treatment options for complex diseases, such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, require the use of a microgravity environment to allow the microparticles in the treatment solution to stay robust. Īnti and microgravity enable astronauts to execute medical research that is impossible to perform on Earth. Currently, NASA's research at the ISS includes biomedical research, material science, technology advancement, and methods to enable further space exploration. Research conducted at the International Space Station aims to benefit human civilizations on Earth and extend human knowledge of space and space exploration. The unique attributes of space enable astronauts to conduct research that could not otherwise be done on Earth, and the perspective from space looking at Earth enables scientists to gain more insight on the Earth's natural environment. SpaceX has been a dominant leader in this push for efficient exploration with the release of the Falcon 9, a reusable rocket. Many private companies are working to make space travel more efficient in hopes to reduce the overall cost of space travel, and thus space colonization. The primary blockers to colonizing space include technological and economic challenges. Leveraging these resources and moving high polluting industries to space could reduce the emissions on Earth and ultimately lead to finding cleaner energy sources. The availability of additional resources that can be mined from space could potentially expand the capabilities of humans and largely benefit society. Colonizing other planets allows for the dispersal of humans and thus increases the likelihood of survival given a planetary disaster. It has been argued that space colonization is a means of ensuring the survival of human civilization given a planetary disaster.
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