This is a combination of two different events that happened shortly after one another.
Mission Extension Vehicle
https://www.northropgrumman.com/space/space-logistics-services/https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/NASA_Partnership_Gives_Satellites_a_New_Lease_on_Life
IntelSat 901 was launched in 2001 and now sits in a graveyard orbit, 300km above geostationary. While its radio equipment is expected to remain functional for several more years, its engines are out of fuel for station keeping, meaning the radio equipment is useless. This is where Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle, launched aboard a Russian Proton rocket, comes in. It will soon dock with IntelSat, where its extremely efficient ion thrusters will act as the engine in order to make use of the remaining years of service life on IntelSat's radios. Once the radios fail, it can then pull it to a graveyard orbit and attach to a different satellite. This maneuver marks the first unmanned "rescue" of a satellite, previously done by an entire Space Shuttle with a crew of three astronauts. It is also interesting that such experimental technology would be launched aboard a Proton rocket rather than an American rocket.
Axiom Space
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-first-commercial-destination-module-for-international-space-stationhttps://techcrunch.com/2020/01/27/nasa-taps-startup-axiom-space-for-the-first-habitable-commercial-module-for-the-space-station/
From 2024 to 2028, Axiom Space will send up a series of four modules to the ISS before detaching them, creating their own space station. The Axiom modules differ significantly from existing ISS modules in that they include a luxurious habitation space and viewing deck, meant for space tourists rather than scientists. The launch will be significant for another reason too: it marks the first time a space station will assemble and launch another artificial satellite.
These two missions may be part of the beginning of the second phase of space exploration. We are not just reaching into space but taking the first steps towards establishing a permanent presence: being able to repair and build structures in space. This is similar to the way that colonists followed explorers into the New World.
1. What is the role of the government in science? Should they be involved in routine procedures such as putting up communications satellites or servicing space stations? Should they be focusing on new research that is not necessarily profitable?
2. What reasons might a commercial company have for pursuing scientific missions?
3. Should space be commercialized? How is the balance between environmental and commercial interests determined on Earth? Is space debris an environmental issue?
4. What did farmer John say when his neighbor asked him if he had enough crops to feed his family?
"There's barley enough."
I definitely think that governments should be involved in space ventures and science to, at the very least, act as regulatory bodies because there is no way all private companies can be trusted to do the right thing all the time. If they aren’t involved in regulating what gets put into our atmosphere, some companies might be allowed to overlook some safety precautions, leading to a bunch of space junk flying around our planet, making future satellite launches significantly more difficult. And, regarding commercial companies and the pursuit of furthering science, most of them only do it because there is profit behind it. A company that has the resources to discover or create an advancement in a scientific field will only do so if there is money in it because at the end of the day, they are a company, and companies need to make money to survive.
ReplyDeleteGovernments exist to create and enforce laws, and there's no reason that shouldn't extend to space either. However, I for one welcome the privatization of space should the government have ultimate power in regulation, as private companies are able to progress much quicker than the government in terms of innovation due to having less red tape (case in point: SpaceX). Of course, there are concerns that space debris will become an issue, but I feel that, because space exploration has limited funds, so once the initial niche is filled by a few companies, there won't be a way to break through. Thus, the real problem is figuring out how to keep power in the hands of the government to regulate and control space-exploration companies and prevent them from getting all-powerful.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting how the government go into space exploration in the first place; it can be traced back to the space race during the cold war. I think that science is such an important part of the present day. We know so much more about ourselves due to the things we have learned about things beyond our planet. I think that the government should be focusing on funding space exploration because it is an important study and government funding would ensure it's continued existence.
ReplyDeleteI think that the role of the government for all scientific explorations is twofold: firstly, they must act as a regulatory force to ensure that science is ethical, and secondly, they must foster progress for the betterment of humanity, especially if that progress would not necessarily be profitable. I'm not sure if they should necessarily be in charge of routine activities in space, but they should play a major role. I am wary of the commercialization of space because it is still such an unexplored frontier and I do not wish for its pristine beauty to be disrupted.
ReplyDeleteI think the government should be pretty involved in science so that they can regulate action in space. It would be pretty concerning if just anyone could make a rocket ship and go to space. A commercial company might want to pursue scientific missions to possibly create a service that could take regular people like you and me up to space. I’m not sure if that is the best idea because it would be hard to regulate and control what crazy things people are doing out there.
ReplyDeleteI think that the government definitely has a role in pushing forward science. With many projects, it initially is not a profitable thing, leading to low investments from companies/investors who are just simply looking for a way to make money. Even if things in science never become profitable, they can still be a bit step for the human species as a whole or it can have the possibility to move us towards something that may greatly improve people’s lives.
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