Source Article:
Marlow, J. (2012, July 26). Thoughts on the Future of Manned Spaceflight
(From Someone Who’s Been There). Wired.
Retrieved from http://www.wired.com/2012/07/thoughts-on-the-future-of-manned-spaceflight-from-someone-whos-been-there/
The employment of unmanned
space systems (USS) has been a force multiplier for humanity’s space
exploration efforts. Since the beginning
of humanity’s space programs with Sputnik, unmanned systems have augmented manned
spaceflights and provided an invaluable resource. USS have undertaken missions deemed too risky
for humans, such as initial excursions into orbit when we were unsure on the
effects on the human body. They have
also carried out missions where a manned presence was unnecessary, such as
re-supply flights to the International Space Station. However, while USS will
continue to be a valuable resource in space exploration, they will not
completely replace manned space missions.
Marlow (2012) interviews
Astronaut Don Thomas regarding his thoughts on the value of manned space
exploration missions. Astronaut Thomas describes
an emotional aspect regarding the human perspective to new discoveries. He also makes valid assertions for manned
space missions point out humans’ better abilities to repair equipment, handle
unexpected situations on the spot, and traverse terrain faster than unmanned
vehicles. Astronaut Thomas is correct in
arguments with respect to current technology.
The future could yield technological developments in which unmanned vehicles
or robotics will counter the points Astronaut Thomas has made. However, these developments would not be
reasons to phase out manned space missions.
Astronaut Thomas’ point
about the human component to discovery is part of why manned space exploration
should continue. Exploration during the
Age of Discovery took place for a variety of reasons. One aspect that virtually every endeavor
shared was a strong, driving sense of willpower. If humanity is ever to establish itself on
territory beyond Earth, the human component, willpower, will serve a similar
role. There are a variety of arguments
and reasons why humanity should eventually establish settlements on other
worlds. However, regardless of the
reasons, efforts will not reach fruition without that willpower driving
efforts. The motivation for this monumental
challenge will be not just Astronaut Thomas’ point about the excitement of the
human presence but for humanity’s future existence.
Our Sun is a star and, as
such, has a finite lifespan. The scientific
community estimates that the Sun has about 6 billion years before its hydrogen
fuel supply is exhausted (Cain, 2012). There
is no way to tell with any certainty if the human race will survive to this
time period. However, if humans are
still around we know with certainty that we will not be able to remain on Earth.
Manned spaceflight will be a necessity at that point. Relying completely on unmanned space missions
and waiting to re-invest in manned capabilities could result in too great of a
development lead time. The challenges to
travel to another habitable, heavenly body are great and even with a 6 billion
year lead time, procrastination is not beneficial.
Another scenario to consider
beyond the knowledge that our Sun has a finite lifespan is an event that could
make the Earth uninhabitable well before that time. Scientists have theorized that an asteroid of
sufficient size colliding with the Earth could create conditions untenable for
life on the planet. Current technology
allows us to track asteroids and project their trajectories to give us advance
warning on the scale of years (Osborne, 2015).
Similar to the scenario with the end of the Sun’s life, this is an event
that would make manned spaceflight a necessity.
Unmanned spaceflight does
provide valuable capabilities to space missions. However, it does not replace manned
spaceflight. Eventually, humanity’s survival
will depend on setting foot on other planets beyond our solar system. Our willpower must motivate us to continue,
as Lord Tennyson astutely wrote: “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to
yield.”
References:
Cain, F. (2012, March 10). Life of the Sun. Universe
Today. Retrieved from http://www.universetoday.com/18847/life-of-the-sun/
Osborne, H. (2015, March 26). Mammoth asteroid 2014-YB35 is not going to destroy life on Earth tomorrow. International Business Times. Retrieved from http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mammoth-asteroid-2014-yb35-not-going-destroy-life-earth-tomorrow-1493652
Lord Tennyson, A. (1842).
Ulysses. Poems by Alfred Tennyson (233).
London: Edward Moxon.
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