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Essay on Space Exploration

Updated on
Jun 11, 2022

For scientists, space is first and foremost a magnificent “playground” — an inexhaustible source of knowledge and learning that is assisting in the solution of some of the most fundamental existential issues concerning Earth’s origins and our place in the Universe. Curiosity has contributed significantly to the evolution of the human species. Curiosity along with the desire for a brighter future has driven humans to explore and develop from the discovery of fire by ancient ancestors to present space explorations. Here is all the information you need and the best tips to write an essay on space exploration.

What is Space Exploration?

Space Exploration is the use of astronomy and space technology to explore outer space. While astronomers use telescopes to explore space, both uncrewed robotic space missions and human spaceflight are used to explore it physically. One of the primary sources for space science is space exploration, which is similar to astronomy in its classical form. We can use space exploration to validate or disprove scientific theories that have been created on Earth. Insights into gravity, the magnetosphere, the atmosphere, fluid dynamics, and the geological evolution of other planets have all come from studying the solar system.

Advantages of Space Exploration

It is vital to understand and point out the advantages of space exploration while writing an essay on the topic.

New inventions have helped the worldwide society. NASA’s additional research was beneficial to society in a variety of ways. Transportation, medical, computer management, agriculture technology, and consumer products all profit from the discoveries. GPS technology, breast cancer treatment, lightweight breathing systems, Teflon fibreglass, and other areas benefited from the space programme.

It is impossible to dispute that space exploration creates a large number of employment opportunities around the world. A better way to approach space exploration is to spend less and make it more cost-effective. In the current job market, space research initiatives provide far too much to science, technology, and communication. As a result, a large number of jobs are created.

Understanding

NASA’s time-travelling space exploration programmes and satellite missions aid in the discovery of previously unknown facts about our universe. Scientists have gained a greater understanding of Earth’s nature and atmosphere, as well as those of other space entities. These are the research initiatives that alert us to impending natural disasters and other related forecasts. It also paves the way for our all-powerful universe to be saved from time to time.

Disadvantages of Space Exploration

Highlighting disadvantages will give another depth to your essay on space exploration. Here are some important points to keep in mind.

Pollution is one of the most concerning issues in space travel. Many satellites are launched into space each year, but not all of them return. The remnants of such incidents degrade over time, becoming debris that floats in the air. Old satellites, various types of equipment, launch pads, and rocket fragments all contribute to pollution. Space debris pollutes the atmosphere in a variety of ways. Not only is space exploration harmful to the environment, but it is also harmful to space.

A government space exploration programme is expensive. Many people believe that space mission initiatives are economical. It should be mentioned that NASA just celebrated its 30th anniversary with $196.5 billion spent.

Space exploration isn’t a walk in the park. Many historical occurrences demonstrate the dangers that come with sad situations. The Challenger space shuttle accident on January 28, 1986, must be remembered. The spacecraft exploded in under 73 seconds, resulting in a tremendous loss of life and property.

Conclusion

There are two sides to every coin. To survive on Earth, one must confront and overcome obstacles. Space exploration is an essential activity that cannot be overlooked, but it can be enhanced by technological advancements.

Space Exploration Courses

Well, if your dream is to explore space and you want to make a career in it, then maybe space exploration courses are the right choice for you to turn your dreams into reality.

Various universities offering space exploration courses are :

Arizona State University, USA
Bachelor of Science in Earth and Space Exploration
Earth and Space Exploration (Astrobiology and Biogeosciences)
Earth and Space Exploration (Astrophysics)
University of Leicester, UK
Space Exploration Systems MSc
York University
Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Space Engineering

Tips to write an IELTS Essay on Space Exploration

The essay’s word count should be at least 250 words. There is no maximum word count. If you write less than 250 words, you risk submitting an incomplete essay. The goal should be to write a minimum of 250-words essay.
There will be more than one question on the essay topic. The questions must be answered in their entirety. For example, for the topic ‘crime is unavoidable,’ you might see questions like 1. Speak in favour of and against this topic, 2. Give your opinion, and 3. Suggest some measures to avoid crime. This topic now has three parts, and all of them must be answered; only then will the essay be complete.
Maintain a smooth writing flow. You can’t get off track and create an essay that has nothing to do with the issue. The essay must be completely consistent with the question. The essay’s thoughts should be tied to the question directly. Make use of instances, experiences, and concepts that you can relate to.
Use a restricted number of linking phrases and words to organise your writing. Adverbial phrases should be used instead of standard linking words.
The essay should be broken up into little paragraphs of at least two sentences each. Your essay should be divided into three sections: introduction, body, and conclusion. ( cheapest pharmacy to fill prescriptions without insurance )
Don’t overuse complicated and long words in your essay. Make appropriate use of collocations and idioms. You must be able to use words and circumstances effectively.
The essay must be written correctly in terms of grammar. In terms of spelling, grammar, and tenses, there should be no mistakes. Avoid using long, difficult sentences to avoid grammatical problems. Make your sentences succinct and to-the-point.
Agree/disagree, discuss two points of view, pros and disadvantages, causes and solutions, causes and effects, and problem-solution are all examples of essay questions to practise.
Make a strong beginning. The opening should provide the reader a good indication of what to expect from the rest of the article. Making a good first impression and piquing your attention starts with a good introduction.
If required, cite facts, figures, and data. It’s best to stay away from factual material if you’re not sure about the statistics or stats. If you’re unsure about something, don’t write it down.
The essay’s body should be descriptive, with all of the points, facts, and information listed in great detail.
The conclusion is the most noticeable part. Your IELTS band is influenced by how you end your essay.
Make sure there are no spelling errors. If you’re not sure how to spell something, don’t use it. It is preferable to utilize simple, everyday terms.
Do not include any personal or casual remarks. It is strictly forbidden.
Once you’ve finished drafting your essay, proofread it. It enables you to scan for minor and large grammar and spelling problems.

This was the Essay on Space Exploration. We hope it was helpful to you. Experts at Leverage Edu will help you out in writing your essays for IELTS, SOPs and more!

Sonal is a creative, enthusiastic writer and editor who has worked extensively for the Study Abroad domain. She splits her time between shooting fun insta reels and learning new tools for content marketing. If she is missing from her desk, you can find her with a group of people cracking silly jokes or petting neighbourhood dogs.

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Ethics of planetary science and exploration.

Jacques Arnould Jacques Arnould The National Centre for Space Studies (CNES), France
https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190647926.013.234
Published online: 17 December 2020

Since the launch of Sputnik on October 4, 1957, the development of space activities has provided a kind of evidence for the conduct of human affairs, to the point of neglecting to question these activities from an ethical point of view: only since the beginning of the 2000s has a real ethical interrogation within the space community (French Space Agency, International Space University, COPUOS) been developed, in parallel with international law. Taking advantage of a rich cultural background and a cooperative sustained effort, space ethics contributes, for example, to better management of debris orbiting the Earth, evaluation of the social impacts of observation satellite systems, and the arrival of new private entrepreneurs apparently less aware of the impacts of managing space as a common heritage of humanity. If space law provides a possible framework and a set of principles for the current and future management of space activities, ethical principles must be considered to accurately assess their reasons for being and their consequences. The following questions are pertinent today: Has space become a trash can? Is space “Big Brother’s” ally? Is space for sale? Should space be explored at any cost? These issues require special expertise of the situation (e.g., the distribution of debris around the Earth, the capabilities of observation satellites); consideration of the global, dual (civil, military) nature of space; and reference to ethical principles (responsibility, vigilance). Human space flight, space tourism, and the search for extraterrestrial life are also subject to ethical questioning. At the beginning of the 21st century, space ethics remained a goal for the space community.

exploration
space debris

Introduction: Space, Humanity’s Last Frontier

“Space: 1. Common shortened form of outer space. 2. Field of human activities pertaining to outer space.” This definition is proposed by the Conseil International Pour la Langue Française (International Council for the French Language) in its Dictionnaire de Spatiologie (Dictionary of Aeronautics and Space Technology). Therefore, space is no longer just a place that starts 100 km above the Earth’s surface, as once proposed by Theodore von Karman; it is also what humans do there and do with it.

This technical dimension of space began with the launch of the first Soviet Sputnik on October 4, 1957 ; since then, it has continued with programs of exploration and utilization of space, thanks to the commitment of an increasing number of national powers and, more recently, private actors. The physical characteristics and dimensions of space often seem to exceed the capacity of apprehension and understanding of the senses and intelligence of humans. The technological steps to be taken and the challenges to be met remain numerous. Yet these properties of space make it a horizon, rather than a frontier, for the spirit of curiosity, conquest, and enterprise that is proper to humans, and will continue to do so for a long time.

Is the space community of engineers and politicians, national agencies and private companies, concerned by ethics? Ethics have been trendy for over 30 years. This subject, familiar to ancient philosophers and a fundamental building block of philosophical works and religious teachings, remains to this day frequently bound to the context of academic seminaries or to the institutionalized framework of ethical committees. Nowadays, however, it also exists outside these established fields, for it is claimed by experts and circles previously unfamiliar with it. Hence, ethics exist in management, journalism, commerce, finance, and even fashion. In fact, the term “ethical” is sometimes used as a social foil or a sales argument. On first deliberation, ethics seem to have become indispensable for the conduct of human affairs.

Among the many possible definitions of ethics is that the ethical approach is to question the obvious and to manage the possibilities. Presented as an invitation to question evidence, ethics is thus not reduced to a line-drawing exercise and even less to a pretext for prohibition. Ethics go much further, as they compel the people involved to focus on their essence, their motivations, their reasons for being, the conditions of their choices, and their ways of applying decisions. Managing the possibilities is about reducing the gap between the representation of the world constructed by space-related sciences and technologies, on the one hand, and the reality directly experienced by the average human, on the other.

Undoubtedly, those who work in space research or in space industry most often out of passion and personal choice, must practice and respect the ethical rules specific to their field of competence and responsibility. Jim Dator is convinced:

Why should ethics be of particular concern to space agencies and industries? Of course, ethical behavior should be of major concern to all of us in all occupations, but because of the special nature of space activities—their high costs, their danger, their public visibility, and their unique challenges and opportunities—space and ethical reflection must go together. (Dator, 2012 , p. 79)

Because space offers not only its actors but the whole of humanity a final frontier to cross, a singular horizon to try to reach, it is appropriate to consider a field of ethics that would be specific to space activities, in a similar way as has been and continues to be developed for medical research. It is even possible that the peculiarities of ethical questioning associated with space, because of its history, its cultural and social backgrounds, and finally the issues it deals with, can be a source of teaching for all fields of science and engineering.

Brief Genealogy of Space Ethics

The consequences of the emergence and development of a new technology are difficult to predict; space, born in the middle of the 20th century , is no exception to this rule. The development of astronautics has fulfilled the dreams and goals of those who achieved it first, the military and the scientists, those who have united their knowledge and intelligence, their wills and their means, to free machines and then humans from terrestrial attraction, make them orbit the Earth, and send them to discover the Moon and other planets. States have been able to assert or strengthen their sovereignty; entire domains of astronomy have been cleared. At the same time, the conquest of space has revolutionized the lives of humans in often unpredictable proportions, to the point that our societies have become very dependent on the incessant race of satellites over their heads (Arnould, 2011 ).

Apparently, this evolution—even this revolution—has been accomplished without our societies. Their leaders and their thinkers are questioning its merits, its consequences, and its prospects. In short, ethics do not seem to have presided for the birth and then the development of the space enterprise. But is that really the case?

In the Beginning, There Was Space Law

It is not uncommon for space to be considered “outlaw,” and as a result, it is a great surprise to discover that there is, on the contrary, a legal corpus, both national and international, that applies to space as a place as well as to actors of space endeavors. Today, this corpus is made up of five international treaties and agreements:

Outer Space Treaty— Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies of December 19, 1966 , opened for signing on January 27, 1967 , and entered into force on October 10, 1967 . It was ratified by 98 states and signed by 27 more. Its principles were then completed and developed by other international texts;

Rescue Agreement— The Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space of April 22, 1968 , entered into force on December 3, 1968 , ratified by 90 states;

Space Liability Convention— The Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects of March 29, 1972 , entered into force on September 1, 1972 , ratified by 86 states;

Registration Convention— The Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space of January 14, 1975 , entered into force on September 15, 1976 , ratified by 51 states; and

Moon Treaty— The Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies of December 18, 1979 , entered into force on December 18, 1984 , ratified by 13 states.

In addition, satellite owners and operators must abide by the regulations of the UN’s International Telecommunications Union, which is responsible for technically managing the allocation of the frequencies and orbits needed by satellites.

In recent years, national legislation is regulating space activities in a growing number of countries, including the United States, Sweden, Great Britain, Russia, France, Luxembourg, and others.)

The sources of such a legal body are numerous. In addition to case law (especially in the area of satellite activities), they are mainly based on legal principles (freedom of access, nonownership, international responsibility of states) and ethical principles (the use of cooperation and respect for the common interest). Because space activities have aroused the concern of lawyers since their emergence and led to the development of a law specific to them, it is necessary to acknowledge the existence of a form of ethical reflection that has been associated with them since the 1960s but that has remained “hidden” until the late 1990s.

Initiatives Without Tomorrow

Virtually no one remembers the book published in 1960 by Walter Pons titled Steht uns der Himmel offen? ( Is the sky open to us? ) (Pons, 1960 ). To this question, the German philosopher answers in a Socratic way: we will not really know the world, if we do not know ourselves first. To distance himself from the school of priests of Delphi, Socrates had indeed transformed the sentence “Know yourself, leave the world to the gods” into “Know yourself and you will know the universe and the gods.”

Two years after the publication of Pons’s book, on September 12, 1962 , at Rice University Stadium in Houston, John F. Kennedy delivered one of his most famous speeches on the American space program, the one now titled “We choose to go to the Moon,” and he does not hesitate to underline the moral stakes that are thus launched to his country and to all (future) space powers: “Whether [space] will become a force for good or ill depends on man, and only if the United States occupies a position of pre-eminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theater of war” (Kennedy, 1962 ).

In the same year, astronomer Bernard Lovell, whom the Queen of England had ennobled the previous year, published The Exploration of Outer Space (Lovell, 1962 ). After presenting the investigative techniques of astronomers of his time, the structure of the solar system and the universe, and the origin and evolution of the latter, Lovell devoted a final chapter to “some reflections on ethics and the cosmos.” In fact, he reflects on the conditions of extraterrestrial life, the consequences of a hypothetical discovery. Previously, he was concerned about Operation West Ford Needles, in which the U.S. military released several million copper needles at an altitude of 3,000 kilometers. The goal was to create a belt of space dipoles to serve as passive reflectors for military communications. But is it appropriate, Lowell wondered, to pollute space near the Earth? Lowell concluded his book on an optimistic note: the race to the Moon and, more generally, the space competition on which Americans and Soviets were then embarking provided excellent opportunities to deflect the budgets of the two great powers toward less belligerent activities.

Pons, Kennedy, and Lowell perceived that space technologies would continue to offer to humanity new means, and saw the need for questioning what place and purpose these new means should be given. But the early 1960s were not a time for a more widely shared awareness.

Twenty years later, in August 1982 , the United Nations organized the second UNISPACE conference in Vienna, with a mandate of continuing international reflection on space policy and law; several delegations expressed their concerns and expectations. The delegate from the Netherlands wondered how to ensure that space would be put at the service of developing countries by allowing them to acquire greater technological independence; he was also concerned about the large share of space budgets still dedicated to military activities. Despite the commitments made by nations in the first space treaty drawn up in 1967 , the militarization of space still appeared to be a worrying threat. Other delegates expressed similar worries, and the following year, UNESCO organized a teleconference during which the major spatial issues of that era were discussed from an ethical point of view: space debris and status of the data collected, weakness of international cooperation, and preponderance of military investment.

In March 1984 , the Academy of the kingdom of Morocco organized a meeting in Casablanca called The Ethics of the Space Conquest. Participants showed great lucidity in worrying about the ever-increasing militarization of space (President Ronald Reagan launched his Strategic Defense Initiative, often referred as “Star Wars,” in March 1983 ), by stating the technical challenges related to various forms of pollution and legal records relating to data status. One of the participants in this meeting wondered whether the “damned of the Earth” would not be joined tomorrow by the “damned of space,” because of the difficulties, or even the impossibility, of Third World countries to access the data and, even more, the space technologies; these countries felt excluded and dispossessed in the face of the arrogance of the space powers, of their spirit of conquest (as mentioned in the title of the conference), resulting in inequality. Is it reasonable to think that space can enable real innovations in the social, cultural, and political spheres?

On January 28, 1986 , the drama of the American space shuttle Challenger took place. Following the deaths of seven astronauts, NASA engineer Roger Boisjoly assumed the role of whistleblower. This accident serves as a case study for the issues of the ethics of the engineer (especially the effects of “group thinking”), and approaches were proposed to ensure that such would a disaster not occur again (Mayer, 2003 ). However, the Challenger accident did not suffice to create a commitment of the space community toward ethical questioning: no ethics committee was created. But in August 1986 , President Reagan announced that the shuttle would no longer carry commercial satellite payloads (Rogers Commission, 1987 ). This tragedy raised questions in public opinion about the economic and especially the human cost of manned space flights that are the flagship of space exploration.

2001: Space Engages in Ethics

In July 2000 , following an initiative by the European Space Agency (ESA) and its Director General Antonio Rodotá, UNESCO published a report prepared by Professor Alain Pompidou, entitled The Ethics of Space Policy . “The ethics of space policy,” says Pompidou, “must lead us to question the motivations behind human access to outer space and the exploration of the Universe, but also the degree of acceptability by public opinion, finally on equity” (Pompidou, 2000 , p. 6). Despite its global perspective, this work deliberately ignores military activities, the main reason being that ESA only undertook civilian space programs. Following this report, UNESCO created a subcommittee on Outer Space within its World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST). It carried out several actions, most often with the support of ESA, for example, reports and conferences; and then, from 2005 , it became increasingly inactive, before disappearing, probably because it was redundant and in competition with another UN body, the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). In June 2001 , following the publication of COMEST report The Ethics of Space Policy , COPUOS devoted one of its annual sessions in Vienna to the theme of space ethics. It was a way of marking its territory, recalling that COPUOS, because of its legal competence, was the first organization to be concerned about the field of space ethics.

At the same time, the Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES), the French space agency, took a similar approach. At the beginning of 1999 , Director General Gérard Brachet asked a group of engineers to launch the space ethics project. In October 2001 , Arnould’s ( 2001 ) book was published, offering the fruits of this first reflection, La seconde chance d’Icare: Pour une éthique de l’espace (Icarus’s second chance: For a space ethic). The same year, CNES management created a position, ethics expert, with the mission of continuing the work begun by these CNES engineers.

Thus, thanks to these two initiatives, ethics are beginning to really emerge within the space community: organizations as COPUOS are devoting seminars to it; conferences organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) host papers on the theme of space and ethics; the International Space University (ISU), based in Strasbourg, France, honors its intercultural and interdisciplinary dimension by opening its summer schools and master’s degree to ethical questions; the European Science Foundation (ESF), the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), which are studying the future of space activities are also integrating this new field; academics conduct research and produce publications on this topic (Milligan, 2016 ). However, no other space agency than CNES appoints a person or team to monitor the ethical dimension of their activities. Ethics is still a frontier for space to cross.

The Cultural and Social Situations of Space Ethics

Space has the distinctive feature of having a particularly rich cultural background that should not be overlooked when implementing an ethical question.

From Forbidden Cosmos to Aliens

Access to space has long been forbidden to humans, all the time and in all cultures: the sky was the domain of divinities, supernatural beings. Only after their death or a long spiritual path, a few human beings could get into heaven. This was particularly the case with Western culture, in which astronautics emerged: it was dominated by the cosmology inherited from Aristotle and taken up by Christian tradition. The world is divided in two: its sublunar region is occupied in the center by the Earth, a place of imperfection because it is perishable, ephemeral, and chaotic. The supralunar region that of the stars and divine beings is called cosmos because it is eternal, immutable, orderly, and therefore beautiful. In this representation of the world, humans, sublunar beings, cannot even imagine being able to join the cosmos with their bodies: travel to the cosmos is forbidden to them except, for the best of them, by the mind or after death. The idea that space travel was possible did not appear until the beginning of the 17th century , when the work by Copernicus, Galileo, and Kepler showed that the world is a “universe” made up of the same matter and subject to the same laws. The prospect of space travel can then feed the Western imagination: as early as 1638 , Francis Godwin published The Man in the Moon , followed by Cyrano de Bergerac with Les États et Empires de la Lune ( 1657 ) and Les États et Empires du Soleil ( 1662 ). Edgar Allan Poe and Jules Verne followed suit before Herbert G. Wells and Arthur C. Clarke, who was himself a contemporary and early actor of the space enterprise.

Few modern techniques have a cultural background as ancient and rich as space. Aeronautics can be evoked here; but the sky of the aviators is not yet the cosmos, and the imagination of aviation is above all that of flight, not that of access to a reality as new and different as space. In fact, this cultural dimension of mythological space can be said to be one of the motivations, one of the reasons to undertake the exploration, the conquest.

On October 4, 1957 , space was no longer just a matter of scientific, technical, or cultural imagination: with the launch of the first Sputnik, space became a reality. And soon, through its envoys, astronauts, and cosmonauts, humanity could claim to be a citizen of the cosmos.

The imagination does not leave the world of space; in his book Space and the American Imagination , Howard McCurdy ( 1997 ) shows how the authors and promoters of the U.S. space program have relied on cultural actors such as Walt Disney to generate interest and support from American public opinion and its imagination. Far from being an American exception, this link between dream and reality is found in other countries and cultures; thus, Japan’s interest in lunar missions is willingly explained by the place occupied in Japanese culture by Kaguya, the beautiful princess who fell from the Moon. And the name of China’s rover missions to the Moon is Chang’e, the Moon’s goddess.

At the same time, space continues to feed the imagination and ensure the vitality of science fiction literature and movies, a field of creativity that makes it easy to find ethical elements of reflection. Even imagined, the so-called close encounters of the third kind invite to question the respect to other, very different beings, regardless of the nature of the difference. Similarly, the societies that will populate the Earth or the planets in deep space for millennia to come are all reflections of humanity’s ideals or fears in relation to governance. And one must not forget the status of the new conquered worlds, of progress, or of the dangers to which the science and technology of the future will lead, whether predictable or simply imagined.

From the Cold War to Cooperation

Modern space travel was born through the will of governments and driven by two communities: the military and scientists.

The 1960s saw the race to the Moon as a “peaceful” race that, however, took place in the tense atmosphere of the Cold War: reaching the Moon first was not only a technological and human feat, but also a political victory! Initiatives for cooperation between space powers were rare, but France showed a remarkable ability to cooperate with the USSR as well as with the United States.

The 1970s saw a slight warming up with the joint Apollo–Soyuz mission, in July 1975 , heralding the establishment of genuine cooperation between the two great space powers. However, it took nearly 20 years and profound political upheavals for two American and Russian spacecraft to dock again in Earth orbit. This time, real cooperation could begin: as bilateral exploration missions flourished, the idea of a space station in Earth orbit (a specialty until then mainly Soviet, then Russian) brought together Americans, Russians, Europeans, Canadians, and Japanese. Agreements and practice were sufficient to withstand political crises.

It is not, of course, a question of saying that, in space, everything is for the best in the best of worlds: competition has not disappeared with the fall of the Berlin Wall; political, scientific, and industrial constraints still hamper the advancement of knowledge and technology, competence and expertise. The arrival of the NewSpace movement of private initiatives, new actors, emerging nations, and private entrepreneurs is producing similar effects.

From Earth . . . to Earth!

Everyone knows the two images of Earth, Earthrise and Whole Earth , taken in December 1968 and December 1972 by the crews of Apollo 8 and Apollo 17, respectively, while en route to or from the Moon. These two views of our planet, whose blue and white shades contrast with the black background of the cosmos, are splendid and impressive; it is difficult to remain insensitive to the mixed impression of beauty, majesty, and fragility that emanates from them. Thanks to these two photos, the human species was finally able to see the Earth, its own planet, from a distance. Moreover, it managed to observe itself. Now, too, the Earth was made available to all “on supermarket shelves” (Debray, 1992 , p. 412) as well as online.

Whether it is seen from the lunar surface, from an altitude of 400 kilometers, or scrutinized with a mosaic of satellite images, the Earth appears as a singularity within the cosmic universe. This experience leads, invites, and also forces us to review our usual landmarks, to put our references into perspective.

Compared to Earth observations by humans, those by artificial satellites offer the added possibility of an accelerated observation of land territories, as they can regularly repeat the passage over the same area and thus highlight the evolutionary, dynamic character of the Earth’s environment. These images show alternating day and night; alternating seasons; changing geographical, biological, and hydrological conditions; and more. However, this dynamic aspect is not as easy to accept as one might think. In the minds of many, nature is often still perceived as a kind of cosmos, in other words, as a reality fixed once and for all or, at the very least, limited to reduced and known variations. Any evolution, any movement of importance is experienced and understood as an attack on the majestic and (alleged) unalterable beauty of the world. What a surprise when it becomes necessary to recognize a global climate change, an increase in desert areas, a scarcity of natural resources . . . and to agree on the measures and actions that are necessary.

Four Ethical Questions for Space

Ethics are above all a matter of attitude, an interrogative practice. Why? How? With what consequences? It is not only useful but indispensable to ask these questions in order to grant our actions a truly human component, to integrate them into the societies of their time, and to undertake them with a deep concern for responsibility and sustainability. The previous pages were aimed at suggesting ways to broach such questions and providing responses thereto. Four questions are frequently asked.

Has Space Become a Trash Can?

On October 4, 1957 , the Soviet Union launched Earth’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik, into orbit with a Semiorka rocket. Once the orbit was reached and Sputnik was released, while the first and second stages immediately fell to the ground, the third stage and the cap, now useless, remained on the same spatial trajectory as the satellite and became the first debris, the first pieces of junk in space. Together, they weigh more than 6,500 kg, whereas Sputnik weighs only 84: the payload represents just over 1% of the mass injected into orbit. After emitting its famous beep for 21 days, Sputnik remained in orbit for an additional period of useless existence, until it entered the atmosphere and burned after 92 days (Figure 1 ). It was discovered that it was impossible to go into space, to move around in it, and to work there, without producing debris, and this in a proportion that, according to Sputnik’s experience, appears disturbing, to say the least. The continuation of the space enterprise confirms these fears: today, only 6% of objects in Earth orbit are operational; the others are debris (Figure 2 ). And their numbers have continued to grow over the past 60 years.

Figure 1. Types of objects in Earth orbit.

Figure 2. Evolution of the number of objects in Earth orbit. Evolution of the number of objects in orbit (10 cm in low orbit and 1 meter in other orbits), between 1957 and 2019, tracked by the USSTRATCOM surveillance network.

Engineers and astronautical authorities are used to being criticized: “You turned space into a garbage can!” Public opinion is indeed moved to learn that thousands and even millions of small objects circulate above us, even if it is impossible to see them with the naked eye and they are far from obscuring the sky. The difficulty lies in the fact that there is (yet) no trash can in space and that these objects are like so many “bees whose hive would have been disturbed,” flying at very high speed (about 25,000 km/h at an altitude of 300 km) in random directions. More than aesthetic or moral concerns, the main issue related to space debris is the risk of collision with operational satellites, the International Space Station, or even an astronaut performing an extra-vehicular spacewalk.

This risk is real. On July 24, 1996 , the French electronic surveillance microsatellite Cerise collided with a fragment of the third stage of an Ariane rocket launched 10 years earlier. The satellite’s gravity gradient mast (a pole about 5 meters long, intended to stabilize the satellite passively) was severed, and the satellite was rendered unusable. It was the American military, the only ones at that time with effective surveillance assets, who informed the French authorities. Was this the first collision in space? Probably not; some experts believe that the United States probably refrained from informing the rest of the world of less politically correct collisions between American, Soviet, and Chinese space objects. Subsequently, other events confirmed the existence of a real danger of collision between the machines that orbit the Earth. On February 10, 2009 , a satellite of the Iridium constellation was struck by a Soviet Cosmos satellite, producing a thousand pieces of debris over 10 cm in size, which turned into potential new hazards in Earth orbits.

Thanks to their Cold War–inherited missile and spy-satellite detection systems, the United States has an effective means of monitoring space debris: radars for low orbits and telescopes for geostationary orbit. In total, nearly 150,000 observations are provided daily: they maintain a catalogue of about 9,500 objects, the size of which varies, to use American comparisons, from that of a baseball to that of a Greyhound bus. Europe does not have such a specific space surveillance system; however, space agencies and the military have developed and are developing radar and optical equipment. For example, the French Graves radar network (for Grand Réseau Adapté à la Veille Spatiale), developed to ensure the surveillance of low orbits, or the German Tira radar, installed near Bonn, are capable of tracking objects from 2 cm to 1,000 km altitude.

This monitoring is essential to allow for collision-avoidance maneuvers and prevent damage to the International Space Station or particularly useful and valuable satellites. Unfortunately, it is not possible to monitor debris measuring less than 10 cm. Although those less than 1 cm can be stopped by shield, those measuring between 1 and 10 cm are the most dangerous: no shield resists them, and they are difficult to spot; their number is estimated at 200,000.

Monitoring of space debris and avoidance maneuvers are not enough. If space agencies and operators want to maintain safe access to useful orbits, it is imperative to prevent any exponential increase in debris populations that could derive from any chain reaction. In other words, the previously terrestrial idea of sustainable development should be applied to space, and at a minimum, less debris should be produced.

Measures can be considered as soon as launchers and satellites are designed to minimize the amount of debris during launch and stationing operations. The objective is “one launch, one piece of debris,” in this case the launcher’s last stage, which necessarily remains on orbit. Apart from satellites or launching devices, no other object should be detached from this stage, which must itself be able to be drained in order to prevent any further explosion.

Another measure is to force the re-entry of the satellite at its end of life to bring it earlier into the atmosphere, where intense friction transforms it into a shooting star. Only the most resistant parts can ultimately fall back to land or, more often than not, to sea, as the oceans occupy 70% of the Earth’s surface. De-orbiting operations are complex and costly to carry out for most orbiting devices. For satellites too far from Earth, such as telecommunication satellites in geostationary orbit, the most effective way to prevent the proliferation of debris is re-orbiting them to a higher altitude.

The imperative to manage space debris and the difficulties associated with it make it obligatory to consult with actors and even impose constraints. As a producer of debris but also a victim (the Cerise case), CNES set up, as early as 1993 , a Groupe de Synthèse sur les débris spatiaux (Space Debris Synthesis Group) to define its short-, medium-, and long-term policy on space debris and to inform all partners concerned with the subject, particularly the regulatory aspects. One of the important achievements of this group was the development and publication in 1998–1999 of a document entitled Introduction aux exigences de sécurité relatives aux débris spatiaux (Introduction to safety requirements pertaining to spatial debris). The preamble to this document stresses that good conduct should not be taken over by market and competition priorities:

Given the importance of the multiple consequences of its immediate application, consequences for CNES and its partners, it must be considered a recommendation whose application remains at the discretion of each program or project. The application of such a document will become mandatory once an international consensus has been reached . . . It should be referenced as a normative document in all contracts linking CNES to its partners. The requirements of this document will need to be followed at all levels of the organization of a program or project: partners, contractors, subcontractors, customers, suppliers, etc. (Alby, F, 2007 , p. 82)

At the European level, this document served as the basis for the drafting of a European standard, which was then transformed into a code of conduct, less restrictive than a legal standard. As a result, European agencies now have a common repository.

Finally, at the international level, the Inter Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) is made up of 13 members: Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), Centre National d’Études Spatiales (CNES), China National Space Administration (CNSA), Canadian Space Agency (CSA), German Aerospace Center (DLR), European Space Agency (ESA), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS), State Space Agency of Ukraine (SSAU), and UK Space Agency (UKSA). One of the main roles of the IADC is to identify future preventive measures that will limit the proliferation of debris. With this in mind, the IADC has prepared Mitigation Guidelines ( 1999 revised 2007 ) capturing the consensus among its members on the measures to be applied. The IADC has established itself as a force for proposals to the United Nations, the only structure that appears capable of promoting, through the work of COPUOS, international regulations that do not yet exist.

As regards space insurance, satellite manufacturers use it primarily to cover possible damage originating from satellites themselves, from launchers, or launch operations. No insurance claim has been reported on damage caused by debris (the Cerise satellite was not insured). Space debris is not the first of space insurers’ worries. However, they are aware of the current limitations of their coverage The current term of third-party liability insurance is in the order of 12 months; in other words, nothing is provided in the event of an accident due to debris or one suffered by an orbital structure after the first year in orbit. For this reason, and in absence of an effective insurance product, the creation of a fund to cover damage caused by debris has been proposed. Although space trash cans have not yet been invented, and capture techniques for large debris are yet only experimental, this topic is currently one of the most worrisome issues in the space community.

Is Space Big Brother’s Ally?

Complices or companions, sentries or guardians: Sputnik and the 5,000 satellites that have reached Earth’s orbits since October 4, 1957 , deserve one or another of these names. Whether orbiting at a few hundred kilometers or at an altitude of 36,000 km, satellites, especially when working in constellations, are capable of providing exceptional “coverage” of the Earth and, each according to specificities, collect and transmit signals from the Earth, whether natural or artificial. The missions they can thus complete are multiple, and their list is never closed: observation and remote sensing, transmission and communication, positioning, navigation and timing, meteorology and climatology, intelligence and surveillance, and so on.

The level of accuracy, or “resolution,” of observation satellites, both civilian and military, has always aroused assumptions, assumptions, and fantasies. Over the past 50 years, it has evolved from 10s of meters for the first instruments on board to about 10 centimeters for satellites such as the U.S. KH-12. Is there a theoretical limit? Experts are happy to talk about 2–5 cm, as it is necessary to take into account disturbances of the atmosphere, impossible to correct at such level of resolution. The detection capabilities of these satellites nevertheless fuel the imagination, in particular, Thierry Rousselin explains, the constant confusion

between geostationary satellites (which allow to observe always the same zone twenty-four hours a day, but at low resolution due to their position at 36,000 kilometers above sea level) and scrolling satellites (which provide very fine details but never remain fixed above the observed point). (Rousselin, 2007 , p. 15)

Two systems, two types of capacity are, for the time being, technically disjointed:

As long as we do not know how to place instruments with very high spatial resolution on geostationary orbit (this could happen in 20 or 30 years because the research is progressing on the subject), the satellite that remains stationary and nevertheless records a detailed image of my house every quarter of an hour, or even continuously, is a fantasy. (de Blomac & Rousselin, 2008 )

But no matter the technical constraints, the idea and the image of the omniscient satellite continue to fuel the imagination of the promoters of ever more satellites and security, like that of their opponents.

The ability to observe the Earth and its resources, human populations, and activities belongs primarily to the space powers (currently a dozen), in other words, to the states that have the technological capabilities to build launchers and satellites, whether military or civilian. With the permission of these states, private companies have developed to “produce” images and market them (Spot Image, Ikonos, GeoEye, Orbimage, etc.) or simply to disseminate them (GoogleEarth, GoogleMap).

This dual evolution (increasing resolution capabilities and making images more available) causes as much enthusiasm as concern: In which world does one live if anyone (or almost anyone) can acquire images from any point on Earth (almost) and this (almost) in real time? Formally, in the face of the current capabilities of observation and surveillance of an instrument placed in orbit around the Earth, states and individuals have no right to the image or its equivalent in terms of privacy. On the contrary, there is a kind of customary law based on the practice of free access to space (the concept of “open sky”), introduced since the launch of Sputnik: the space powers of the time, the USSR and the United States, had to resolve to do so in order not to interfere with their own activities. The law then endorsed this modus vivendi by establishing the idea of total responsibility of states in space, as long as space activities take place on their territory or from their territory (the concept of launching state). However, how can one not question or even worry about techniques and practices that no longer reserve information and intelligence to military and government authorities alone, but also distribute them—even scatter them—among more numerous, more diverse users (including terrorist movements)?

This development is part of a broader movement of globalization that Marshall McLuhan described in the 1960s as a “global village” (McLuhan, 1962 , p. 36). Since then, the phenomenon has accelerated and increased to the point of raising fears of excessive information and a saturation of our capacity to integrate it in order to decide and act. If globalization was born with the modern era, with the colonial and commercial expansion of the West, it has accelerated since the end of the 19th century . With the Second World War, this phenomenon took a new turn, that of complete globalization. Without denying its origins, and supported by an intensification of existing networks, globalization benefits from the emergence of gigantic industrial groups and the creation of a powerful and integrated capital market. “Integrated” is undoubtedly the key word of globalization to which space technologies, especially satellites, have provided undeniable support.

Yes, we call on all European governments, the Europe of the Twelve, to consider all solutions, including the use of force to stop the war. Tomorrow they will not be able to say that they did not know, they will not be able to say that they could not. (Julliard, 1993 , p. 138–139

With these words, Jacques Julliard concluded, on November 21, 1992 , a silent demonstration against the policy of ethnic cleansing of President Milosevic’s regime. The journalist’s words describe the situation reached by our society: from now on, people can no longer say that they know nothing about the suffering endured by human beings, the atrocities carried out by others; they can no longer hide behind the curtain of ignorance, whether iron or paper, to excuse their silences and justify their immobility, their refusal to act and react.

Similarly, Jacques Ellul was not wrong to denounce the dangers that technological development poses to the freedom of the human being. In Le Système technicien , he wrote:

Technology has reached such an evolutionary point that it is changing and progresses without decisive intervention by man, by a kind of internal force that pushes him to growth, which leads him by necessity to an unceasing development. (Ellul, 1977 , p. 229)

The unprecedented development of new technologies, if it meets humanity’s demands and information requirements, is also accompanied by a paradoxical but proven process of indifference to events and isolation of people, condemned to become individuals, separated from each other, and immersed in the anonymity of multiple networks.

The idea of protection haunts human societies and gives arguments, even alibis, to their leaders to establish elaborate surveillance systems; satellites are participating. The establishment of power worthy of “Big Brother,” the central character of George Orwell’s 1984 , has long worried some thinkers; Benjamin Franklin understood this when he said, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety” (Franklin, 1755 ). It is not a question of opposing freedom to security, but of paying attention to the possible infringements of the former in the name of the latter, even though the reverse alone should prevail.

For, wide-eyed and with deployed ears in space, all these satellites built by humans can also be used to establish greater harmony in our world, without falling into the cross-check of excessive surveillance or security; the International Charter “Space and Major Disasters” is a remarkable example.

Created and drafted in Vienna in July 1999 , this charter committed its signatories to provide free spatial data that they would possess to countries affected by major disasters, whether natural or human. The two founding space agencies, CNES and ESA, were joined by 15 organizations from various countries including India, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, and Germany, an amazing coalition that transcends the usual political and economic divides. Space agencies as well as national or international operators of space systems are likely to become members of the Charter; in addition, the civil protection, rescue, defense, or security agencies of the country of one of the signatories of the Charter become de facto authorized users. In order to provide assistance as soon as possible to the affected populations and the teams of rescue workers engaged in the affected areas, the members of the Charter ensure a permanent watch: after verifying the relevance and honesty of the request, the aim is to send images to people and services who need them, as quickly as possible, and to schedule specific shots. Because this initiative was launched independently of the usual political institutions, national or international, without being detached from them, and because it is part of a perspective of prevention, maintenance on alert, and at the same time rapid intervention in the very spirit of humanitarian aid, the Charter offers a singular and remarkable example of an effective alliance between knowledge and action, a true sense of circumstance and a will that is good, effective, and shared. Between February 2002 and March 2019 , the Charter has been triggered 600 times, half of them because of flooding or submersion of coastal areas. So many triggers sometimes amaze the public, surprised by the effective ability of these space organizations to pool sensitive and expensive resources, as well as by the number of “major disasters” that hit human populations. No continent is spared, and many countries have sought the help of the Charter. Some examples include the first call, from the valleys of the Meuse and Moselle, France, on February 4, 2002 ; the second, on the same day, from the Democratic Republic of Congo; and the third, on April 9, from Afghanistan, where an earthquake occurred. The tsunami of December 26, 2004 ; the Fukushima disaster of March 11, 2011 ; and the earthquake in Nepal of April 25, 2015 , gave rise to the activation of the Charter.

Space technology is not only being used as a matter of urgency at a time when government services and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are being mobilized to help people find satisfactory living conditions as soon as possible. It can also be used to prevent disasters, to trigger alerts, and to plan and organize land use that takes into account risk areas and potential threats.

Public or Private: Is Space for Sale?

From the 2000s, supported by strong personalities and by the U.S. administration, a movement for private space initiatives appeared in the United States. This movement resonated favorably among those who were nostalgic for the great exploration programs of the Moon and Mars, but also among the “giants” of the information society, in particular the GAFA companies (U.S. tech giants Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon), attracted by this promising field where digital data are created and transmitted. This private entrepreneurial sector, born of a mixture of dreams of conquest, the opening of the American public market, and the phenomenon of digital transition, has been named NewSpace. These new players are shaking up the habits of space agencies and “historic” industrialists and forcing them to rethink their models and working methods. Europe was thus forced to start work on a new launcher, the Ariane 6 program, which is accompanied by other measures aimed at the new situation of satellites, environmental problems, and the evolution of the geopolitics of the space sector.

The reality of these changes should not lead to confusing NewSpace with the space of tomorrow. There is an increased and even necessary opportunity for agreements, partnerships, and collaborations between the public and private sectors; the public sector must ensure the development of new technologies and the sustainability of programs that are of public interest; the private sector is more involved in the creation and dissemination of uses close to the market.

These private initiatives are not without political and legal issues. In January 1967 , the United States signed the Outer Space Treaty ; Article 1 begins with the following words:

The exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies, shall be carried out for the benefit and in the interests of all countries, disrespectful of their degree of economic or scientific development, and shall be the province of all humanity. ( Outer Space Treaty , 1967 , art. 1)

On November 25, 2015 , President Barack Obama signed the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act that authorized U.S. citizens to appropriate space resources and, in particular, to exploit the metals contained in asteroids:

A U.S. citizen engaged in commercial recovery of an asteroid resource or a space resource shall be entitled to any asteroid resource or space resource obtained, including to possess, own, transport, use, and sell it according to applicable law, including U.S. international obligations. ( U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act , 2015 , §51303)

Despite these latest precautions, it seems clear that, for American authorities, the interest of the “miners” of their country’s space comes before that of “all humanity.” President Donald Trump’s Executive Order of April 2020 confirms this idea:

Americans should have the right to engage in commercial exploration, recovery, and use of resources in outer space, consistent with applicable law. Outer space is a legally and physically unique domain of human activity, and the United States does not view it as a global commons. ( Executive Order 13914 , 2020 , section 1)

Several legal experts are upset and want explanations requested by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Use of Space in the United States; they also organized a working group, all the more ardently because the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg followed the example of the United States with a similar legal decision.

For their part, the American entrepreneurs of the NewSpace welcome these government decisions. Among them is James Cameron, one of the founders of Planetary Resources, a NewSpace company that tested a first satellite in 2015 with a distant prospect of space mining. In his film Avatar , Cameron portrays the exploitation by the (bad) Earthlings of “unobtanium” on the planet inhabited by the (nice) Na’vi. This fiction is not only the futuristic and space adaptation of the conquest of the West; it also imagines the manufacture of human avatars . . . in line with the projects of transhumanism that plan to transform the human body or even increase population. What Cameron imagined in Avatar , he and other wealthy American entrepreneurs decided to achieve, both on Earth and in space, not necessarily by ignoring the laws, but by managing to interpret them or to change them in a direction that suits them: Are they all followers of the so-called libertarian thought? It expects institutions to respect and protect the freedom of all individuals to exercise their full right of property over themselves and the property rights they have legitimately acquired over external objects. Of course, there is no question of the common heritage of humanity.

Although it raises multiple questions, the NewSpace project and enterprise are also not without risks, not only economic for these entrepreneurs with broad visions, but also social and ethical. In its own way, Avatar staged them: the exploitation of nature’s resources, regardless of its protection or its proper distribution among the inhabitants of the Earth; the disinterest if not the rejection of a concern for social equality; the excesses of hybris , technological excesses, especially those related to the development of genetics and artificial intelligence. It is not a question of condemning a priori, but, at the very least, of worrying. Sometimes reality shouldn’t join fiction.

Should Space Be Explored at Any Cost?

If the early 20th century was marked by the end of the exploration of terrestrial continents, its cultures, and human societies, the development of science and technology opened up new horizons, especially those of the “infinitely small” and of the “infinitely great.” While scientists developed quantum theory and the theory of relativity, and the theory of the primitive atom and its development in the form of the so-called “Big Bang” theory, the birth of space travel made it possible to send interplanetary probes to the planets of the solar system and even beyond, to install space telescopes, and also to prepare manned flights, with the Moon as a first goal. On July 21, 1969 , Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first humans to tread the lunar surface.

What happened next? First, an almost immediate disinterest in the missions that followed the success of Apollo 11, except for Apollo 13, the one that turned dramatic and narrowly avoided tragedy; then the cancellation of the last two missions originally planned. On December 14, 1972 , when the strange lunar spider of the Apollo 17 mission left the Taurus-Littrow Valley, carrying the last astronauts who would walk on the Moon, it was as if a skylight closed in the night sky: since then, humans and their ships no longer leave the suburbs of Earth. However, the aftermath has not been disappointing. The space shuttle program, with its successes, dramas, and the stubbornness to prolong it, looks like an odyssey. The space station that today orbits above our heads is indeed international. Rhe images collected by the Hubble telescope fascinate the curious and even the jaded of the entire planet. Robotic missions to Mars, from Pathfinder to Curiosity, are followed by millions of Internet users. The adventures of the Japanese probe Hayabusa, launched to discover asteroid Itokawa, inspired three films in the land of the Rising Sun. The achievements of the Rosetta probe and its companion Philae, tasked with studying comet Churyumov Gerasimenko, in 2014 generated media interest far beyond predictions and expectations. These are all exploration missions that demonstrate the skill, enthusiasm, and tenacity of scientists and engineers alongside their fellow astronauts. Space does not disappoint; it still triggers repeated dreams among those who learn and discover the new chapters of its history, its odyssey. Yet what can one expect from revolutionary human space flights that seem confined to Earth’s orbits for a few years (if the U.S. objective of sending astronauts to the Moon by 2024 is fulfilled) or decades? What can one expect from a universe whose limits, observable with telescopes at the most piercing view, are lost in the mists of the unlimited, even the infinite? Should one repeat the observation of Pierre Auger, the first president of CNES?

There is no shortage of scientists who would prefer to achieve a kind of moratorium with science fiction, saying to its authors: “Stop, do not deflower what we’re going to do.” As it happens, the public is vaccinated. It is no longer surprised. Is this unfortunate? (Arnould, 2006 , p. 123)

In short, does space exploration really have a future, or should the 1960s be regarded as a spatial quirk? Can humanity really continue to dream of one day leaving its earthly cradle?

It should be noted that the technical progress that will transform robots into true astronaut collaborators in the near future has not succeeded in completely eliminating the debate born with human flights: the question of their opportunity. Is it reasonable to undertake ambitious human space flight programs, to devote large financial resources to them, to risk human lives? To this question, weighted answers can be provided, positive and negative. Opponents have made no shortage of arguments drawn from the past 60 years: the ruinous Soviet program to win the race to the Moon, the discontinuation of the Apollo program, the fatal accidents of the American Challenger and Columbia shuttles, the cost of building and maintaining the International Space Station, and so on. Proponents argue the human interest in exploration and knowledge, the impetus given to research and innovation.

While public institutions are struggling to provide successors to past or current missions, either for financial or technical reasons, private companies do not hesitate to announce their intention to take over from the agencies and to send humans to the Moon and even Mars. Will they have the technical means and the financial capacity? Will states allow them to do so if the risk of an accident exceeds the levels currently acceptable? Is it reasonable to want or simply to pretend to undertake an exploration of space at all costs? Today, the lack of a reflection on the meaning, the values, and the references of exploration is felt quite cruelly.

In an attempt to give them a broader perspective, it may be interesting to associate these questions directly related to human space flight to those raised by planetary protection. This expression requires understanding all the measures taken or to be taken in the context of missions to explore celestial bodies other than the Earth in order to reduce, control, or prevent any form of contamination: contamination of the territories explored when sending probes and human crews; and contamination of the Earth when samples and astronauts return. The scientific community, through COSPAR, takes these risks of contamination very seriously. The first and most obvious of the reasons is the scientific approach itself: the contamination of the area to be explored by terrestrial biological organisms would render the search for unknown extraterrestrial life virtually futile; the lack of precaution when a spaceship returns after having explored another planet could lead to contamination of samples by terrestrial organisms that would seriously hinder the continuation of their study . . . and could also endanger life on Earth, as science fiction writers have widely imagined. The latter threat is less a matter of the coherence of the scientific approach than of its responsibility toward humanity and the biosphere. This same responsibility also raises another ethical question, that of the possibility (of the right?) of humans to explore worlds other than their native Earth. This question has not escaped the astronomers either: some of them speak in favor of a sanctification of planet Mars in case traces of life, even fossilized, are found; others consider, on the contrary, that the phenomenon of life rests, among other pillars, on that of a powerful and inescapable propensity to spread, in any way. The case of astronauts is no less delicate: What steps should be taken in the event that, on returning from a mission on another planet, a crew member is found to be suffering from an unknown disease? Should we run the risk of bringing the crew back to Earth or plan for a permanent quarantine? What would be the fate of their companions? Should research and exploration be conducted at such a price?

The ethics of space activities are not limited to these four issues. Human space flight raises questions about financial cost, the risk management of astronauts, and the opportunity to develop space tourism. The search for extraterrestrial life requires reflection on planetary protection and the management of possible contamination of the planets explored or of the Earth; the question of colonizing a planet with life forms arises in the longer term. For these problems, ethical reflection does not bring judgment or a clear solution; but through space, political, scientific, or technical organizations, it now accompanies the development of programs, policies, and their implementation.

Conclusion: Ethics, Imagination, and the Future of Space

One of the promoters of ethics at CNES liked to repeat that this approach is an effective way of preparing for the future. Indeed, far from putting constraints and limits on human initiatives, ethical interrogation offers, on the contrary, the opportunity to entrench them in a more accurate awareness of their reasons and their causes, even the most deeply buried in a cultural terroir. At the same time, it allows one to recall and clarify the purpose sought, beyond the difficulties that have arisen momentarily.

This approach to ethics does not exclude its more regulatory and legal dimensions; these are even indispensable, as the current development of private space projects reminds one, to look to the future, to build the future, to become aware of the responsibilities of space actors.

As of June 2020 , no ethics committee on space issues has been established at any level. The constraint of public opinion, the pressure of current events, and the near future remain weak or nonexistent; the multiplicity of areas would no doubt complicate its constitution and management. However, the interest of an ethical question remains: space does not lack projects, imagined by scientists, engineers, or even creators of science fiction. Through them, humanity says something about itself, its dreams, its hopes, and its fears; these projects therefore deserve to be studied in ethical terms, in order to support them or, on the contrary, to underline their limits and dangers.

Space is a recent field in science and technology and, more importantly, in the humanities and social sciences. However, its development has already profoundly influenced humanity, its understanding of itself, and its understanding and management of life in society. For all these reasons, actors who “make” and will make space agree to question the reasons, means, and consequences of space activities.

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Research Topics

Reach for the stars: research topics on space exploration.

With recent advances in commercial space exploration, we have curated a list of our best Research Topics on outer space. Explore collections edited by experts from NASA, The Goddard Space Flight Center, Space Science Institute, German Aerospace Center, Canadian Space Agency, National Space Science Center, European Space Agency, International Space University, and many more.

Research Topics:

Optimization of Exercise Countermeasures for Human Space Flight – Lessons from Terrestrial Physiology and Operational Implementation

Biology in Space: Challenges and Opportunities

Microbiology of Extreme and Human-Made Confined Environments (Spacecraft, Space Stations, Cleanrooms, and Analogous Sites)

Geospace Observation of Natural Hazards

Astrobiology of Mars, Europa, Titan and Enceladus - Most Likely Places for Alien Life

Imagining the Future of Astronomy and Space Science

Brains in Space: Effects of Spaceflight on the Human Brain and Behavior

Creative Performance in Extreme Human Environments: Astronauts and Space

Space Traffic Management: a new era in Earth orbit

Wound Management and Healing in Space

Robotic Manipulation and Capture in Space

A Multidisciplinary Approach to designing Sensorimotor Adaptation countermeasures for space exploration missions

Active Experiments in Space: Past, Present, and Future

On-orbit Manufacturing and Assembly Technologies for Future Space Activities

Current and Future Instrumentation for the Detection and Identification of Signatures of Life on Mars and Beyond

On-Orbit Servicing and Active Debris Removal: Enabling a Paradigm Shift in Spaceflight

Space Weather with Small Satellites

AI in the Space Sciences

Researcher,Holding,Transgenic,Plants,In,The,Growth,Chamber

Higher Plants, Algae and Cyanobacteria in Space Environments

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109 Space Exploration Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best space exploration topic ideas & essay examples, 📑 good research topics about space exploration, ⭐ simple & easy space exploration essay titles, 💡 interesting topics to write about space exploration, ❓ research questions about space exploration.

The Future of Space Exploration The attitude of the researchers in this field is rather ambivalent; the main beneficial and negative points of space exploration would be covered in the next parts to make the argumentative and clear statement.
A Trip to Mars: Mass Facts Mars is one of the eight major planets that form the solar system together with the sun. The atmosphere of Mars is estimated to be less than 1% of that of the earth. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
The Importance of Space Exploration It is evident in the study that spaceflight was the most instrumental element that acted as the driving force and backbone of the exploration processes to the orbital surface.
India’s Mission to Mars The writer of this paper argues that India’s mission to Mars indicates a lack of prioritization by the national government and therefore, a waste of resources.
Planet Jupiter Facts and Information In terms of size, it is the largest of all the planets and it is number five from the sun.”The diameter of Jupiter is 142984 kilometers and its density is 1.
The Main Reasons for Space Exploration In 1957, the Soviet successfully launched the first satellite into space that marked the beginning of space exploration. After the success of the Soviet’s satellite, the U.S.invested more into space exploration.
The Planet Mars Information The bigger portion of the planet is covered with Borealis Basin that is one of the remarkable features on the surface of Mars.
Space Exploration Problems On the other hand, people have an opportunity to study the processes which could be useful for understanding the origins of planets, galaxies and the universe in general. BNSC reflected on the plans that UK […]
India’s Space Exploration Affairs Space exploration has become a key area of concern for modern scientists and this is evident from the many attempts being undertaken in the world today to explore every bit of the outer space.
Space Exploration History and Prospects The exploration of space assists in addressing the central questions about humanity’s place in the history of the universe and the solar system. Scientists are working day and night to reveal ways of mitigating the […]
Mars: The Exploration of the Red Planet Mars, the fourth planet in order of increasing distance from the sun and the first beyond the earth’s orbit. Following several crewless flybys and orbiters launched by the United States and by the Soviet Union, […]
A Mars Rover’s Risk Management The risk of a high obstacle, dictated by the motor’s power, can put the rover into an endless loop of attempts to climb to the surface, as a result of which fuel resources may run […]
Space Exploration: Attitude & Recent Breakthrough It created the basis for the development of natural science and technologies. Moreover, from the social perspective, overcoming the challenges of surviving in space requires cooperation and the development of communities.
Landed Missions to Mars: The Perseverance Rover According to Farley et al, the mission of the Perseverance rover lies “in the deep search for evidence of life in a habitable extraterrestrial environment, and the return of Martian samples to Earth for analysis […]
Use of Nanotechnology for Electric-Power Production on Mars This paper explores the possible options of electric-power production sources and attempts to gain insight into the benefits of the application of the most recent scientific developments, such as nanotechnology, for enhancing and expanding the […]
Space Exploration Mission: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter The historical development of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is anchored on the dual mission which was targeted for in the 2003 Mars launch window; nonetheless, within the course of the drafting the proposal the MRO was […]
Space Exploration: The Venus Observation Mission However, the implementation of the new machinery will be further needed to collect and transfer data from Venus to the Earth.
Venus: The Object for Research and Space Missions The current offer is unique in that it is planned to launch modules on the surface of Venus and keep them active for a long time.
Liquid Lake on Mars As a matter of fact, it is also an interesting article because it revolves around the probability of having a new form of life in the Solar System outside the Earth.
Mars Reconnaissance Orbital Some challenges were encountered with two of the devices mounted on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in November. The HiRISE installed in the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has shown over time that, it is of great importance […]
Humanities: Galileo and Four Moons of Jupiter Galileo would have value to the Medicis only insofar as he was seen to be a great discoverer of new things and a brilliant philosopher, the doyen of his profession.
Technology Uncertainty in Space Exploration Hence, learning the complexity of the project to be undertaken takes the largest part of the entire process. In an environment where projects have to be undertaken, organizations cannot elude the dire need of integrating […]
The Contributions of Dwight Eisenhower to America’s Success in Their Space Exploration Efforts When he took over the presidency he saw the importance of incorporating space technology in the country’s defense mechanism and in this respect he directed that the construction of ballistic missiles and also the construction […]
“Mars the Abode of Life” by Percival Lowell The main arguments of the book revolve around the genesis of the world, the evolution of life, the dominance of the sun, Mars and the future of the earth, the canals and oases of Mars […]
General Features of Jupiter 86 years to complete one orbit The distance of Jupiter from the earth taken on 4th June 2013 at 0655 hours GMT is 4.6 AU. The distance of Jupiter from the sun as of now […]
Mars Curiosity Mission’s Astronomical Research In addition, the age of the samples coincides with the date where the water was present on the planet, according to the current understanding.
Gifts of Mars: Warfare and Europe’s Early Rise to Riches The article “Gifts of Mars: Warfare and Europe’s early rise to riches” by Nico Voigtlander and Hans-Joachim Voth illustrate how the political situation in Europe had shaped the economic development of the continent in the […]
Jupiter: From a Wandering Star to the King of the Planets In spite of the fact that Jupiter is more distant than Mars to the Earth, it is usually brighter, and it shines during the whole year around.
Inner Space Exploration Vehicles There are three common types of underwater vehicles such as autonomous underwater vehicle, human occupied vehicles, and remotely operated vehicles. In addition, there are some human occupied vehicles that are simply used to visit life […]
Space Exploration Aviation Safety: Challenger and Columbia Among the variety of accidents that take human lives in the sphere of aviation, the cases of Challenger and Columbia remain to be one of the most significant and influential.
Space Exploration Accidents: Challenger and Columbia The failure in the joint of the elements of the rocket motor caused the Challenger catastrophe. The analysis of the accidents led to the development of a number of recommendations.
A Trip to Mars: Approximate Time, Attaining Synchrony & Parking Orbit 9 years and in essence one can draw this logical induction that the elliptical orbit through which an astronomer moves from the Earth to Mars is relatively shorter than the elliptical orbit of Mars and […]
Mars: Water and the Martian Landscape According to McSween, scientists and astronomers find the study of the environment of Mars and the existence of flowing of water on the surface of the planet of special interest.
Astronomy Issues: Life on Mars Indeed, the absence of living microorganisms in the soil is a clear indication of the absence of water on the red planet.
Market Based Approaches for Controlling Space Mission Costs This has however been addressed and there has been a recommendation that in any future missions using the same system, a mechanism has to be put in place that combines the development and operational phases […]
Prospects of finding life in Mars Astronomers have found that the length of a typical day in Mars is similar to that of the Earth. This means that there is no water existed on the surface of Mars.
Mercury Exploration and Space Missions The density of this planet is almost the same to that of the earth and this explains why the winds carried the eroded soils.
Is there evidence of life on martian meteorites? Until then, researchers need to do the hard work of verifying or refuting existing theories and counterchecking any new evidence that could be contained in the Martian meteorites According to Buseck et al, Nanocrystals of […]
International Space Exploration: Improving Human Life Advances in space exploration, particularly the creation of the International Space Station, has enhanced the observation of the globe to provide better comprehension and solutions to environmental matters on earth.
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter The objectives include the search for past and/or present life on the planet, assess the presence and nature of the resources available in the planet for human exploration as well as understanding the climate and […]
Why the Water Bears are the Most Appropriate Animals to Send to Mars for Human Research The water bears are the first animals known to be able to endure the insensitive atmospheric combination of low pressure and extreme radiation found in space.
MAVEN Mission on Mars Factors related to the degree of radiation, the temperature of the planet, the level of ion dispersion within the atmosphere and the ability of solar wind to affect the Martian surface are all factors that […]
Missions to Mars: Past, Present, and Future In this dual mission to Mars, Mariner 6 and 7 enabled the scientists to analyze the surface of Mars and the Martian atmosphere through the remote sensors in the spacecrafts besides the Mariners taking and […]
Development of New Space Vehicles: Manned Flight to the Moon and Mars The Apollo 11 landing on the surface of the Moon represents the highest point yet in the conquest of the cosmos by man.
Should America Spend More Money on Space Exploration?
India’s Steps into Space Exploration
Public Money Should Cut Down Expenses for Space Exploration
Visionary Vintage Children’s Book Celebrates Gender Equality, Ethnic Diversity, and Space Exploration
Immune System Dysregulation During Spaceflight: Potential Countermeasures for Deep Space Exploration Missions
The Significance and Value of Exposing Students to Space Exploration
Apollo 13: Space Exploration and the Traits and Cooperativeness of Explorers
Isaac Asimov’s Wise and Witty Response to Those Who Question the Value of Investing in Space Exploration
Why Ocean Exploration Should Be Funded at the Same Rate as Space Exploration?
Practical Spin-Offs Resulting From Astronomy and Space Exploration
The Explorer Traits and Cooperativeness in Space Exploration in Apollo 13 by Ron Howard
Nuclear Power Sources for Space Exploration
Space Exploration and Technology and the Pros and Cons Arguments
Modern Societies Doom Without Space Exploration
The Space Exploration Program: We Are on a Path of Decay
Funding for Space Exploration Philosophy
The Current State Regarding the U.S Space Exploration
Sustainability and Discredit Arguments for Space Exploration
Technological Advances Associated With Space Exploration
Future of Human Space Exploration and Operations
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Space Exploration
The Three Astronauts: Umberto Eco’s Book About the Role of Space Exploration in World Peace
Space Exploration and Tourism During the Cold War of 1947
Let’s Spend Our Resources on Solving Social Problems Not Space Exploration
The Link Between Space Exploration and Advancements in Science and Military Defense
Innovations Needed for Deep Space Exploration
Radiation Measurements Performed With Active Detectors Relevant to Human Space Exploration
Space Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit
Space Exploration and Its Impact on Earth
Column Generation Based Heuristics for a Generalized Location Routing Problem With Profits Arising in Space Exploration
Ethical Principles and Practices in Space Exploration
Why Space Exploration and Innovation Is Important for the Human Race?
Specific Immunologic Countermeasure Protocol for Deep-Space Exploration Missions
The Early History, Present, and Future of American Space Exploration
The Economic, Health, and International Agreement Issues of Space Exploration
Dynamic Modeling, Simulation, and Velocity Control of Rocker-Bogie Rover for Space Exploration
Humanity’s Quest for Space Exploration Throughout History
The Early Life, Space Exploration and Political Service of Lyndon B. Johnson
Can the High Costs of Space Exploration Be Justified?
The Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Powered Early Space Exploration
What Is the Purpose of Space Exploration?
What Is the Most Famous Space Exploration?
How Did Space Exploration Begin?
What Are the Risks of Space Exploration?
How Does Space Exploration Benefit Us?
Which Country Has the Most Space Exploration?
Which Country Got to Space Exploration First?
Is Space Exploration Very Important?
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Space Exploration?
How Space Exploration Affected People’s Lives?
How Has Space Exploration Improved Life on Earth?
How Can We Improve Space Exploration?
What Does the Future of Space Exploration Look Like?
What Is the Best Space Exploration Technology?
What Have We Gained From Space Exploration?
Why Is Space Exploration So Slow?
What Makes Space Exploration Travel Difficult?
Why Is Space Exploration Expensive?
What Is the Biggest Problem With Space Exploration?
Who Controls Space Exploration?
What Is the Most Interesting Fact About Space Exploration?
Why Did Space Exploration Stop?
What Challenges Do Space Explorers Face?
How Many Space Explorations Have Failed?
How Does Space Exploration Affect the Economy?
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Home — Essay Samples — Science — Astronomy — Space Exploration

Essays on Space Exploration

Hook examples for space exploration essays, anecdotal hook.

As the Curiosity rover sent back its first images from the Martian surface, it marked a remarkable moment in our quest for understanding the cosmos. Join me on a journey to explore the wonders of space exploration.

Question Hook

What lies beyond the boundaries of our planet? Can humanity truly conquer the challenges of space? These questions have fueled our relentless pursuit of space exploration for decades.

Quotation Hook

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." These iconic words from Neil Armstrong resonate as a testament to human achievement in space exploration, sparking our imagination and ambition.

Historical Hook

From Yuri Gagarin's pioneering flight to the Apollo moon landings and beyond, the history of space exploration is a captivating narrative of human ingenuity and exploration. Let's revisit the milestones that define this extraordinary journey.

Scientific Discovery Hook

Space exploration isn't just about reaching distant planets; it's also about unraveling the mysteries of the universe. Explore the groundbreaking scientific discoveries that have reshaped our understanding of the cosmos.

Commercial Space Race Hook

The new frontier of space isn't limited to governments; private companies are entering the arena with ambitious plans. Discover how the commercial space race is revolutionizing our approach to space exploration.

Future of Human Spaceflight Hook

As we gaze at the stars, the dream of human colonization of other planets lingers on the horizon. Join the discussion on the future of human spaceflight and our potential as a multi-planetary species.

The Importance of Space Exploration

The pros and cons of naca in advancing aeronautics, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

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Exploration and Innovation: Competition Or Cooperation

Space exploration and technology and the pros and cons arguments, the international space station as one of the most important areas for scientists, the mystery of milky way galaxy, let us write you an essay from scratch.

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Benefits and Challenges of Space Exploration

Financial impacts of space exploration, a discussion of whether resources should be invested into space exploration, the physical effects on the human body during space exploration, get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

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Strategies of Creating a Self-sustaining Environment

The big bang: universe's birth, aliens and the probability of life on other planets, a phenomenon of elon musk, apollo 11: the space race and its effects, biography of neil armstrong - the first person on the moon, overview of our neighbors in solar system, various views on the possibility of aliens' existence, soyuz 11 mission: from a success to one of the most tragic accidents in space travel, challenges and benefits of manned mission to mars, the geohazards that astronauts may encounter on mars, discussion of the history of space exploration and colonization, apollo 11 mission: details and speculations, spacex: world’s most powerful rocket, high temperature electronic aspect of venus landers, different benefits of space exploration for humankind, shooting star and meteor showers, apollo 11 and the space race, human curiosity about the existence of aliens, the application of 3d printing in space exploration, relevant topics.

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75 Space Exploration Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on space exploration, 🌶️ hot space exploration essay topics, 🎓 most interesting space exploration research titles, 💡 simple space exploration essay ideas.

Arguments for Space Exploration
Mars and Earth Comparison
Indian Space Mission and Its Negative Aspects
Investing in Climate Change vs. Space Exploration
Space Exploration: The Liberal Arts Lenses
Mars: Exploration and Description of the Red Planet
Space Exploration: India Space Mission
Ocean Research vs. Outer Space Exploration Both the study of the outer space and the research of the processes that take place on Earth, particularly, in the ocean, are crucial for facilitating the safety of the humankind.
“The Martian” by Andy Weir: Critical Review The paper reviews the attributes that Weir incorporates in writing “The Martian”, including the third-person tone, symbolism, and the themes of abandonment.
Why Humans Should Not Visit Mars Over the past few decades, developments in space exploration have gone so far. This paper aims to provide a discussion, whether humans should or should not visit Mars in the 2030s.
The Existence of Life on Venus and Mars Venus and Mars have had unique past geology, indicating the presence of the atmosphere and life-supporting conditions. Potentially these planets supported life.
The Book and Movie Versions of “The Martian” The Martian book and movie tell the story of Mark Watney’s struggle to survive on Mars. While both versions have similarities, they also differ in details.
The Mars Planet Reaching Recently, there have been growing interest from astronauts on the whole issue surrounding a manned maiden trip to the planet Mars (Red Planet).
Nanotechnology to Generate Electricity on Mars This essay explores how nanotechnology can be applied to generate electricity on Mars using the available materials.
Nanotechnology to Generate Electricity on Mars The study is going to focus on plasmonic nanostructures to show how solar energy can be tapped to generate electricity using nanotechnology, which offers a strong promise for use on Mars.
Jovian Planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune Known as the gas giants, Jovian planets are the four celestial bodies that comprise the outer planets of the solar systems. These are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
Martian Meteorites That Have Landed on Earth When asteroids and related outer-space objects crashed into Mars eons ago, they sent pieces of Mars’ core into space.
Space Exploration Through the Humanitarian Lens This paper discusses the implementation of the humanitarian lens in the context of space exploration, considering both technological and economic factors.
Mars Ethical Concern Discussion In the case of Mars, the firm can consider itself ethical since, in its main principles and ethical guidelines, it encourages healthy lifestyles and discourages excessive consumption.
Measuring Mars Atmospheric Winds from Orbit This paper is a comprehensive summary of a White Paper titled ‘Measuring Mars Atmospheric Winds from Orbit’ and submitted to Planetary Science.
The Future of the Space Missions The current obsession with space discoveries leaves enough room for innovative developments in the area that are expected to take humanity closer to interplanetary missions.
Planetary Astronomy: Jupiter and Satellites Jupiter’s moons Io and Callisto have revealed many secrets of the solar system. Analysis of these satellites’ composition has helped to understand the way planets were formed.
Mission to Mars: Problems of Mars Colonization To enable life on Mars, it would be necessary to establish an area with stable livable temperatures, a breathable atmosphere, and radiation protection.
Mars Exploration Mission: Martian Atmosphere Studies Mars is the fourth planet in the solar system from the sun. It is one planet that has gained interest of scientists who have continued to explore it.
Space Exploration: UAE and INDIA Space Cooperation The potential collaboration between India and the UAE in the context of space programs’ development seems to be highly promising.
Ethical Principles and Practices in Space Exploration
The Future Looks Promising for Space Exploration
Should People Continue With Space Exploration?
Future Human Space Exploration and Operations
Out of This World: 5 Reasons Why Space Exploration Is Important
Space Exploration and Tourism During the Cold War of 1947
Looking Down the Road: Space Exploration and Its Benefits
Innovations Needed for Deep Space Exploration
Space Colonization and Exploration of Space Exploration
Nuclear Power Sources for Space Exploration
The Early History, Present, and Future of American Space Exploration
Earth and Space Exploration
Space Science and Technology: Unmanned Space Exploration
Technological Advances Associated With Space Exploration
Everyday Benefits of Space Exploration
Reasons for Halting Space Exploration
Space Exploration: Our Salvation or Demise
The Link Between Space Exploration and Advancements in Science and Military Defense
History and Future Promises of Space Exploration
Sustainability and Discredit Arguments for Space Exploration
Rocket and Space Exploration Technologies
Modern Societies Doom Without Space Exploration
Space Exploration and Its Impact on Earth
America Should Spend More on Space Exploration
Space Exploration and Travel: Necessary or Waste?
Humanity’s Quest for Space Exploration Throughout History
Space Exploration Beyond Low Earth Orbit
Computers and Space Exploration
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Space Exploration
Funding for the NASA Space Exploration
A New European Vision for Space Exploration
Practical Spin-Offs Resulting From Astronomy/Space Exploration
Ethics and Space Exploration
The Early Life, Space Exploration and Political Service of Lyndon B. Johnson
Exploring Space to Prepare for Earth’s Future
Space Exploration: History and Promises for the Future
Reducing Space Exploration Will Not End Poverty
The Space Exploration Program: We Are on a Path of Decay
Space Exploration and Global Warming
What Will Space Exploration Look Like in 2050?
India’s Steps Into Space Exploration
Reasons Why Space Exploration Matters to You
Mars: The Next Step in Manned Space Exploration
The Economic, Health, and International Agreement Issues of Space Exploration
Solar System and Space Exploration
Why Space Exploration Is Always Worthwhile
Technologies for Space Exploration
Space Exploration: The Key to the Future of Mankind
Why Space Exploration and Innovation Is Important for the Human Race
Space Exploration and Human Space Flight

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StudyCorgi. (2023, January 27). 75 Space Exploration Essay Topics. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/space-exploration-essay-topics/

"75 Space Exploration Essay Topics." StudyCorgi , 27 Jan. 2023, studycorgi.com/ideas/space-exploration-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . (2023) '75 Space Exploration Essay Topics'. 27 January.

1. StudyCorgi . "75 Space Exploration Essay Topics." January 27, 2023. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/space-exploration-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "75 Space Exploration Essay Topics." January 27, 2023. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/space-exploration-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2023. "75 Space Exploration Essay Topics." January 27, 2023. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/space-exploration-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on Space Exploration were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on January 9, 2024 .

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How to Write an Essay on Space Exploration in IELTS? Tips and Samples

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Updated on 01 February, 2024

Mrinal Mandal

Study abroad expert.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is one of the world’s leading English language tests that evaluates the English language proficiency among non-native speakers. Writing test task 2 of the IELTS exam is a descriptive essay-type question based on topics related to the general interest. The word limit is a minimum of 250 words, and the task duration is 40 minutes. This article discusses ‘ space exploration, a commonly asked topic for IELTS essays, to help test takers prepare well for the test. Here are the tips for writing the best essay and two samples ‘space exploration’ essays that you can follow.

Word limit for the essay, time duration, type of question, essay topics.

Sample 1: Advantages and Disadvantages of Space Exploration

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Essay sample 2:
Tips to write a winning IELTS essay

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Applicants will have to write an essay in IELTS task 2 in response to a statement. The minimum word limit should be 250 words. There is no upper word limit. Make sure you are not writing less than 250 words, or it will be counted as an incomplete task.

The time duration allotted for the writing task 2 essay is 40 minutes. You need to manage your time, so make sure you plan and write the essay within the stipulated time. Appear for mocks to work on your writing speed.

In IELTS Essay writing, applicants need to write an essay while responding to a particular premise, statement, or argument. It is an informal descriptive essay, where the applicants need to prepare a 250-word write-up based on opinion, facts, arguments, and experiences. All the parts of the question need to be answered in the essay.

The essay topics are based on general interest and academic modules. It is important to practice essay writing in common genres like art, education, crime, space, culture, tradition, social problems, and environment.

Samples on Space Exploration Essay IELTS

Sample 1: advantages and disadvantages of space exploration .

Space exploration is the detailed exploration of space, the solar system, and the universe. It is explored by robotic spacecraft and spaceflights. Earlier ‘Space Race’ was only popular between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union achieved many milestones in its early days. It is a huge part of American history. On 20th July 1969, Neil Armstrong along with Buzz Aldrin won the space race. Yet, there are many advantages and disadvantages of space exploration. Many opine that the space program costs high, and some take it as an invention.

Advantages of Space exploration

Inventions:

The global society has benefited through new inventions. The additional research conducted by NASA helped to benefit society in different ways. The discoveries benefit transportation, medicine, computer management, agriculture technology, and consumer goods. The space program helped in GPS technology, breast cancer treatment, lightweight breathing systems, Teflon fiberglass, etc.

Employment:

One cannot deny the fact that space exploration generates numerous jobs globally. Spending less and making it more cost-effective is a better way to approach space exploration. Space research programs add too much to science, technology, and communication in the present unemployment scenario. And this results in a massive employment generation.

Understanding:

Time to time-space exploration programs and satellite missions by NASA help unravel the undiscovered facts about our universe. Scientists better understand the nature, atmosphere of Earth, and other space bodies. These are the exploration programs that make us aware of future natural disasters and other related predictions. It also paves the path to save our almighty universe from time to time.

Conclusion: Every coin has two sides. To sustain on Earth, one has to face the challenge and overcome it. Space exploration is a vital activity that cannot be neglected but can be improved with technology.

Disadvantages of Space exploration

Pollution is one of the alarming concerns in space exploration. Every year, many satellites are launched in space, and not all of them return. Over time, the remains of such instances become debris and float in the air. Old satellites, different types of equipment, launching pads, pieces of rockets are all adding to pollutants. Space debris pollutes space in many ways. Space exploration is not only harming the environment but also space.

A national space exploration program costs high. Many individuals argue that space mission programs are cost-effective. It must be noted that NASA in the recent program, celebrated its 30th anniversary with an expenditure of $196.5 billion.

Space exploration is not a bed of roses. Many historical events prove the danger associated with tragic incidents. One must focus on the incident on January 28, 1986, with the Challenger space shuttle. Within just 73 seconds, the shuttle exploded and resulted in a massive loss of life and property.

Moreover, there are different opinions on the advantages of space exploration with more innovations and improved technologies.

Essay sample 2:

The first man to walk on the moon claimed it was a step forward for humankind. However, it has made little difference in most people’s lives.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

A greater number of people believe that space exploration has not made enough contribution to the lives of people. It has not made a sufficient impact if the expenses associated with it are justified. As per my understanding, various questions arise out of this, but if considered on an overall basis, the scientific impact is very encompassing.

A man to the moon and expensive satellites and telescopes had no impact on the life of an average wage earner or the one without proper meals a day. A large population is still vulnerable and facing various economic challenges. Many enjoy watching the man traveling to the moon, or the NASA videos, but there is no justification for the huge amount of money that was spent over the years for space exploration. It could have made a lot of difference if these investments were directed towards employment, medicine, education, infrastructure, and culture.

Nonetheless, the impacts are directly related to science and culture. A man on the moon was a moment of utilitarian concern. It was a powerful incident that encouraged countless lives to attain achievements. Space exploration has led to concrete and fruitful innovations. For example, new aspects of entertainment, microchip, the internet, and countless other discoveries. From small to huge, there are several discoveries, and the most important one can be staying connected throughout the globe. We are truly indebted to the funding of space exploration for all of these innovations and discoveries.

Far from being utter waste, as some belief it to be, space exploration has been the reason for the progress of humankind. It must receive more support and advancement.

Tips to write a winning IELTS essay

The word length of the essay should be at least 250 words. There is no upper word limit. However, if you write less than 250 words, you may end up submitting an incomplete essay. The idea should be to write an essay of a minimum of 250 words.
The essay topic will have more than one question. All the parts of the questions are to be answered. For example, for the topic ‘crime is unavoidable’, here you may have questions like 1. Speak in favor and against this topic, 2. Give your opinion, 3. Suggest some measures to avoid crime. Now, this topic has three parts, and all the parts are to be answered; only then the essay will be complete.
Maintain the flow in writing. You cannot derail your thoughts and write an essay that is not relevant to the topic. The essay should be in complete sync with the question. The ideas in the essay should be directly related to the question. Use examples, experiences, and ideas that you can connect well with.
Organize your essay using linking phrases and words in a limited manner. Avoid using normal linking words, and go for adverbial phrases.
The entire essay should be divided into small paragraphs with a minimum of two sentences each. There should be three parts to your essay, introduction, body, and conclusion.
Do not fill your essay with too many complicated and long words. Use collocations and idioms correctly. You must have a clear idea of using words and contexts.
The essay should be grammatically correct. There should not be errors in terms of spelling, punctuation, and tenses. To avoid grammatical errors, avoid long and complicated sentences. Write short and crisp sentences.
Practice various essay questions like to agree/ disagree, discuss two opinions, advantages & disadvantages, causes, and solutions, causes and effects, and problem- solution.
Write a good introduction. The introduction should offer a clear idea about the rest of the content. An introduction is an important part of creating an impression and developing interest.
Use facts, statistics, and data if necessary. If you are unsure about the data and numbers, it is better to avoid any factual information. Do not write anything that you are not very sure about.
The body of the essay should be descriptive and contain all the points, facts, and information in a detailed manner.
The conclusion is prominent. The way you conclude your essay plays an important role in boosting your IELTS band.
Take care of the spelling mistakes. Do not write complicated spellings that you are not sure of. It is better to use simple and common words.
Do not write any informal or personal comments. It is not permitted strictly.
Proofread your essay once you are done writing. It helps you to scan minor and major issues in terms of grammatical and spelling errors.

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Mrinal Mandal is a study abroad expert with a passion for guiding students towards their international education goals. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering, earned in 2018. Since 2021, Mrinal has been working with upGrad Abroad, where he assists aspiring students in realizing their dreams of studying abroad. With his expertise and dedication, he empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of international education, making their aspirations a reality.

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Article Contents

Historical context, two schools, conclusions.

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Battle for space: statecraft, diplomacy and defence strategy

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James Smith, Battle for space: statecraft, diplomacy and defence strategy, Astronomy & Geophysics , Volume 64, Issue 2, April 2023, Pages 2.38–2.40, https://doi.org/10.1093/astrogeo/atad012

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James W. E. Smith considers the changing perspectives on the role of space for the military

Guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) transits the Gulf of Aden

If the battle-scarred history of human progress tells us anything, it is this: humanity will carry its disagreements and divisions to the furthest frontier. Despite the earnest aspirations of many scientists, philosophers and theologians towards peace and universally beneficial discovery, this human need to establish dominance would seem to be an immutable and self-perpetuating instinct.

The first space race, for example, was an integral component of the first Cold War, which saw Western nations such as the United States and Britain pitted against the Soviet Union. Space was just another domain useful for the military to seek an advantage over a potential enemy.

But even this was nothing new: since the age of sailing ships the exploration of the world has often been under a military commission. Space is a military domain akin to land, sea and air, and as technology and our understanding have advanced, so has military interest and investment.

This is motivated by two parallel threads in the development of our civilisation. The first is inter-human insecurity, the relationships between people, nations, cultures and political ideology; the second is our default psychological human mindset of gathering and protecting resources on which we depend to survive and prosper.

It seems impossible to disentangle scientific curiosity from militaristic goals such as expansion of influence, enhancement of security and increase of income; each domain in turn – land, sea, air and space – has been used to explore, understand and then weaponise.

And it is undeniable that science has enabled technology and engineering to exploit these domains, where knowledge has advanced military power. It has never been a question of whether space would become a place in which this happened, or even when; it was part of a process that has been going on for centuries and started as soon as methods to access space were devised.

And yet, do we really understand space? Have nations got to grips with how exactly it might best be put to practical human use?

Science and the exploration of space have certainly made steady achievements over the latter half of the 20th century, but it is the communications, intelligence gathering and supporting mission operations that the military have found most applicable. Indeed, nations have found themselves far more dependent on science and technological advances than they have been used to in other domains.

But is there any point in space becoming either a theatre of warfare in its own right or more influential than other domains?

Historical analogies may be useful in sketching out the course ahead. Although we should be cautious of direct comparisons – there have been marked events and advances in technology, politics, education, and culture that have influenced the shape and scope of defence policy, strategy, military tactics and warfare – it's fair to say that understanding a domain and its influence takes time, and is usually driven more by experience than theory. Our understanding of land, sea and air power evolved as experience allowed, and not without gaps of stagnation, controversy and intellectual development.

The creation of the nation-state presents itself as an important development, as well as European exploration and expansion around the world, the Napoleonic Wars (1803–15) and a bloody first half of the 20th century defined by two World Wars. Advances in science and technology have been interwoven throughout. The development of the atomic bomb (1940s) or the creation of electronic integrated circuits (1950s), which led to the widespread adoption of the silicon chip, are good examples.

The very best historians, like Prussian army officer Carl Von Clausewitz (1780–1831), who developed his texts in the 1820s, and the often-overlooked leading British military historian and philosopher of seapower Sir Julian Corbett (1854–1922) only attempted to develop coherent national defence strategies or military doctrine after they had gained insight from assembling a substantial body of historical research ( Lambert 2021 ).

Their sophisticated historical analysis combined with the best contemporary strategic theory models enabled them to understand trends, directions, execution and turning points in the history of war and conflict. Using this methodology, some historians have been cautious and concerned about the overemphasis of a particular technology, domain or new concept where the tendency is to claim ‘the next best thing’ as the solution to a problem – likewise reactionary responses to some form of change or new frontier as automatic validation of theory.

This underlines a vital connection between historians and scientists: the examination of methodology and evidence is universal. Clausewitz and Corbett had the advantage of turning to experience, and because war is an art, not a science, experience takes priority over theory. They produced workable texts to guide policy, strategy, and doctrine at the highest levels of government through an understanding of what had worked successfully before, updating arguments as experience allowed.

Historians' ability to gain insight from a body of evidence spanning generations, if not centuries, shows the complex process of developing an understanding of forms of military power and how they integrate into national defence and foreign policy in times of war, conflict and peace. Countries' responses to foreign, defence and security dilemmas are usually driven by harsh national realities such as Britain's underlying maritime dependency. In contrast, continental nations, such as the United States, with vastly greater resources (including finance and trade), perceive their relationship with land, sea, air and space differently. Corbett demonstrated that nations develop a unique strategic doctrine based on their history to meet their contemporary strategic needs, something he explained using centuries of evidence from British history.

British military historian and philosopher of seapower Sir Julian Corbett (1854–1922)

This puts into stark reality the limited framework and body of scholarly research to discuss and debate topics like ‘space warfare’ and ‘space power’. While the character of space power is changing, its nature remains somewhat consistent with established trends of how humans exploit domains to meet current needs. It provides a useful lens to realise why, almost 70 years after the Soviet Union launched Sputnik in 1957, civilian researchers and the military are starting to ask deeper questions about what the future utility of space might be for defence, intelligence, and security. They have a limited pool of experience to draw from when debating doctrine for the specific, like theoretical ‘space-on-space warfare’. Whereas the broader question of space power will by character change, as it is more than just about military power, its nature will not be much different to where it all started for space 70 years ago. It is consistent with the trends on land, sea and air, which saw a sustained period of practical experience leading to a coherent intellectual understanding as the basis to develop doctrine or strategy: both advanced by the underlying fact of the exploitation of a domain to achieve national objectives. That is to say, understanding the national and military use of space, and its relationship with, and influence on, events on Earth, parallels the development of any other domain; sea, land or air.

It is a process that takes time to understand, to produce better, more encompassing theoretical models that are the basis for better strategy and cooperation between allies. However, historians would warn against the temptation towards guesswork and assumptions, stressing that reactionary responses like the ‘inevitability’ of space-on-space warfare ( Ryan 2022 ) will do little to add the rigour needed to understand the greater whole. This reminds us that our relationship with space is in its infancy, practically as well as intellectually, with science far ahead in understanding than other fields and disciplines.

Whatever the early 21st century in space history will be called – the ‘second space race’, the ‘space revolution’ – is irrelevant now that space has become more accessible to science, the military and even private civilians and commercial actors with the right resources. For now, the risk, availability and reliability of access might be buying time to think about what this means in greater depth. However, the fact that matters is that the military, academics and governments are now asking more profound questions, as terms like ‘space warfare’ enter broader national and international conversation. Such concepts are now joining mainstream public discussion and the military are revisiting their perceptions of how space will affect their missions. This is a period of peril for what evidence, experience, concepts and theories will shape the debate moving forward. This may be fundamental in the decades ahead to what decisions, laws and investments by the military are made and their impact across the spectrum of space research and operations, but also the broader public perception of space.

The opening gambits for this are already in motion; the creation of the US Space Force, national military and civilian space programmes receiving increased investment, such as in Australia, Japan, China, India and Britain, and intelligence from space influencing war in real time such as the war between Russia and Ukraine. The haste by governments to develop an updated military response leading to the creation of their first military ‘space doctrine’ on a par with other domains like land, sea and air, is the kind of reactionary response based on fear of either competition or warfare, that historians are concerned about ( USAF 2020 ; RAF 2022 ). This has occurred in the past, where haste has led to mixed results by rushing the process of thinking through a question or problem. This is because the modern military prioritises differently from their contemporaries a century ago, who were more engaged in the sustained study of the past to understand cause, action and implication.

Like science, other fields and disciplines have internal debates and disagreements over theory and how that theory drives everything from policy to doctrine. Debate and an exchange of ideas is a helpful exercise. Yet, the limited pool of experience on space for the military to access has often resulted in guesswork and assumptions having more significant influence than the other domains, particularly when nations are revisiting ‘space power’, ‘space warfare’ and the tactical and strategic use of space.

The creation of the United States Space Force was – not for the first time – a judiciously-timed piece of space/military political theatre, but opinion is divided as to what use the space domain should be put to.

This can be easily seen with statements such as: ‘Space is the ultimate high ground’ ( USAF 2020 ; RAF 2022 ) which on the outside may be a fun soundbite but demonstrates a lack of maturity and nuanced understanding, and even sometimes lacks a basic knowledge of physics. Contrary to popular belief, statements such as this show not only the fledging state of thought and the need to construct a vital body of work to provide sound foundational roots but also some of the pitfalls historians fear when trying to think seriously about national strategic doctrine.

At the heart of this debate are two emerging schools. The first is one of ‘air power’, which sees the use of force in a particular context; the other is not its equivalent (sea or naval power) but instead ‘maritime strategic’. Put simply, air power is a short-term tactical view of the world to meet mission objectives, while maritime is a longer-term and broader strategic outlook. These two perspectives will drive future debate (see Smith 2019 ), a debate that is complicated by the influence of different methodologies, fields and disciplines, such as history, international relations and political science. That air forces appear to dominate in policy and practice is no fluke, for the disagreements between air power and maritime thinkers are long-established and a symptom of post-1945 defence organisation. Today is no different and involves complicated rivalries over budgets, missions and disputed events in history.

The encompassing maritime environment – exploration, science, commerce and military – can be extrapolated into a common methodological rubric for ‘space’, which is analogous, though not identical. However, the useful maritime example for all its similarities to space is becoming less understood, even as the maritime strategic outlook offers a longer-term view that includes the many elements we see unfolding now of human activity in space and its influence on Earth. Notably, naval officers and maritime strategists first grew interested in what space could mean for the military and international stability. This is no surprise considering the foundational role the nautical world has had on every aspect of our involvement and understanding of space, from astronomy, science, technology, exploration, and even cultural phenomena like science fiction. Sadly, these facts are being pushed out from public and high-level decision-makers consciousness by limiting the conversation to ‘Air-Space’; even in museums, divorcing the ‘all-encompassing’ approach that includes the maritime from how we educate about humanity's relationship with space. Those who support the maritime approach face the same issue as scientists and organisations like NASA, ESA or the UKSA on how to educate and communicate awareness to the public and politicians in a manner that is accessible and understandable.

An increase in national activity, whether military or civilian, will affect science and astronomy, and is already growing as an issue. It could end in an increasingly complicated night sky full of space debris and active satellites. At the same time, new scientific equipment will need to be designed to be propelled and operate further from Earth to avoid potential collisions. Then, if some are to be believed, the reality of ‘warfare in space’ is that it will endanger science and human life in space as well as back on Earth.

How this unfolds is a more complex model to understand; one that we may need supercomputers to process. In short, the effect on communications, navigation and science could be disastrous. It may be that a scenario emerges equivalent to nuclear weapon deterrence policy: that no one will pull the trigger for the outcome of disaster is clear, but how far it will go, including the impact of it rebounding on the defender or aggressor, means the trigger is never pulled. The fear of the unknown implications drives decision-making on how far ‘space warfare’ goes. Furthermore, the silent degradation of laws and treaties designed to stop the militarisation of space going too far has fallen behind civilian space law with enough loopholes to stop it from becoming inconvenient for nations to expand their operations.

It is important for physicists and astronomers alike to keep a watchful eye on these developments. After all, the relationship between science and the military is well known. However, the military debate on space may not be a negative situation but a healthy enterprise providing the opportunity of revisiting and discussing laws, treaties, military doctrine and defence policy concerning how nation-states operate in space. The role of space in our civilisation is immutable and impervious and these developments will lead us from a state of infancy towards true spacefaring.

It is yet to be seen whether the tactical air power model will continue to snowball the trend of militarisation, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy, increasing the chance of space warfare and the use of space to influence events on Earth. Or perhaps the more encompassing maritime model, leaning towards peacekeeping and deterrence, including commerce, exploration, science, and military, or even an entirely unexpected new model will prevail.

James W E Smith PhD ( [email protected] ) is a research fellow in the Department of War Studies in the School of Security Studies, King's College London. His research focuses on the development of strategic theory and national strategy with an emphasis on maritime, space and wargaming.

Lambert AD 2021 The British Way of War: Julian Corbett and the Battle for a National Strategy , New Haven : Yale University Press

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RAF 2022 UK Space Powers , Joint Doctrine Publication 0-40, UK Government, bit.ly/3Z7h9Kd

Ryan T 2022 The Indispensable Domain: The Critical Role of Space in JADC2 , Policy Paper, Mitchell Institute, bit.ly/3YXNyCE

Smith JWE 2019 Corbett offers more on Space than Mitchell, War on the Rocks , 11 December 2019 bit.ly/3IgHA9z

USAF 2020 Spacepower: Doctrine for Space Forces , Space Capstone Publication, US Government bit.ly/3EHMont

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Space Exploration Essays

by Arvind Sharma (India)

Space exploration is much too expensive and the money should be spent on more important things. What is your opinion? In many countries, a big proportion of expenditure is being spent on exploring the space. It is argued that this expenditure should be spent on other important things rather than on space exploration. However, in my opinion, keep other significant things in mind, space program is very crucial and important for the whole world and should be funded due to the fact that it will help to improve the communication between countries in the world and also helping to search a new alternate to live. To begin, a reason to support funding space program is communication between all over the globe. Because business and organizations are being expanded geographically, they need a communication channel to run these businesses in an effective manner. It has become possible after launching satellites in the orbit. For instance, NASA, which is a reputed space organization has launched many satellites in the orbit, which are being used to broadcast the signals in the form of audio and video to across the globe. Moreover, the satellite television has only become possible due the space programs, and people are able to watch the global events instantly from anywhere. Thus, it can be said that by doing the space exploration, world communication has utterly been changed and for this reason it should be financially aided. Furthermore, As global warming has become a serious concern for the whole world, scientist have started to find the alternate planet to live. Due to this fact, there are going to be conducted more space programs and eventually more money is needed to support these programs. For instance, ISRO, which is an Indian space research organization has been funded by the Indian government. As a result, they have managed to launch own satellite without help of other countries. In addition, there is a need to resolve the problem of global warming and this could only be possible if more space programs will be aided financially. Thus, it has been important for every country to give financial support to these programs so that the next generation can live in a better place. In conclusion, I firmly believe that space program should be supported financially as there is need to get together the whole world to improve the communication and fight against the environmental problems. *** Please can you check my essay on space exploration.

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Spending Money on Space Exploration

by sayali vilas jadhav (pune)

Money spent on space exploration is a waste and can be put to better use on earth. To what extent do you agree or disagree? Nowadays, most of the countries in the world are giving more importance to space exploration because it is a thing of pride for a country to achieve success in space exploration. According to me, money spends on space exploration is worth as this gives us a chance for us to know new things around us. space exploration gives us a chance to innovate new things for the welfare of people.As we know, we found out that there is water on the moon. Due to this scientists planning for sending people to the moon to minimize population and to provide quality life to people. But sometimes I feel that the money which we are spending on space exploration can be minimized and put into the welfare of poor people. due to this roadside children may also get an education and poor people may get jobs. The bottom line is there should be a balance between both things as both things are good for the welfare of people. space exploration is also important like minimizing the poverty from the country.

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Contacting Aliens Essay

by LennyBoyyy

Some Scientists think that there are intelligent life forms on other planets and messages should be sent to contact them. Other scientists think it is a bad idea and would be dangerous. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. The opinions of scientists go apart when it comes to the topic of other life forms. Some say there exist other life forms and that they should be contacted, while others would not do that because it could be dangerous. There are without a doubt pros and cons regarding this topic, but in my opinion it would not be a good idea to contact them, because I would find it better to gain some knowledge about the other life forms before you contact them. On the first hand would It be an unbelievable success to get to know other life forms. Scientists are searching for other life forms probably since decades, but never got any signs. Millions of Dollars were spent to reach these goal. It would change drastically people’s lives. In addition, the technology could in cooperation with the other life forms, advance massively. On the other hand, could the contact with other life forms become very dangerous, because of the lack of knowledge the humanity has regarding other life forms. Not knowing how your communicating partner looks like, functions or thinks could be very risky. Additionally, it could be also the case that there don’t exist other life forms and that huge amounts of money were spend without any sense. Summarized, I would not try to contact other life forms, because the cons in form of the uncertainty if other life forms exist and the danger in which humanity could be exposed exceeds in my opinion the pros in form of the probability that other life could be found and that a stable communication could be build.

Spending Resources to Explore Space

by Nidhi Pareek (Ahmedabad )

Some people think that space exploration is a waste of resources while others think that it is essential for human kind to continue to explore the universe in which we live. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. It is an undeniable fact that over the past few years space exploration has become one of the most discussed topics in today’s society. As a result, some people think that studying space is crucial for humanity, others argue that it is a waste of resources. In this essay, I would like to put forth my views on both the sides with a valid opinion in the conclusion. Firstly, space research has many benefits such as latest technological advancements in satellite communications which include smartphones, satellite television and radio broadcasting are all breakthrough of space research. Furthermore, space research is important for getting minute-details of weather conditions and it also provides the future predictions of climatic conditions. Moreover, space scientists are keen to find the possibility of life on other planets like Mars and if they get success then growing population problem of earth will be solved. Finally, having well developed space research organisation in any country is a matter of prestige for government and it's citizens. However, we seldom give a thought to ponder over the other side of this essay so there are some drawbacks of space research and that is why some people are against the exploration of space. Foremostly, space research requires colossal amount of budget and it is a time consuming study. Furthermore, success ratio of space research is very low. In addition, risk of life is always there with space explorations. For an example, in the year 2006 a prominent astronaut of NASA, Ms. Kalpana Chawla and her team travelled to space for research but unfortunately their space-shuttle crashed while they were returning back to earth. The seemingly inexorable description about the space research can keep on going. Nevertheless, showing a deep reverence and observing the finer nuance of the matter mentioned above I espouse the notion of supporting that space research is an essential part for an economic development but as we all know it is considered as the most expensive scientific discovery so countries should collaborate and there should be a joint efforts for space studies to make it cost effective.

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Climate change research.

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Science in Space: April 2024

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The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation ( GEDI ) observes global forests and topography using light detection and ranging (lidar). These observations could provide insight into important carbon and water cycling processes, biodiversity, and habitat. One study used GEDI data to estimate pan-tropical and temperate biomass densities at the national level for every country observed and the sub-national level for the United States. 5

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Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation ( EMIT ) determines the type and distribution of minerals in the dust of Earth’s arid regions using an imaging spectrometer. Mineral dust affects local warming and cooling, air quality, rate of snow melt, and ocean plankton growth. Researchers demonstrated that data from EMIT also can be used to identify and monitor specific sources of methane and carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide and methane are the primary human-caused drivers of climate change. Increasing emissions in areas with poor reporting requirements create significant uncertainty in the global carbon budget. 6 The high spatial resolution of EMIT data could allow precise monitoring even of sources that are close together.

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The station’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory-3 ( OCO-3 ) collects data on global carbon dioxide during sunlit hours, mapping emissions of targeted local hotspots. This type of satellite-based remote sensing helps assess and verify emission reductions included in national and global plans and agreements. Monitoring by OCO-3 and the Italian Space Agency’s PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Applicativa (PRISMA) satellite of 30 coal-fired power plants between 2021 and 2022 showed agreement with on-site observations. 7 This result suggests that under the right conditions, satellites can provide reliable estimates of emissions from discreet sources. Combustion for power and other industrial uses account for an estimated 59% of global human-caused carbon dioxide emissions.

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Search this database of scientific experiments to learn more about those mentioned above.

1 Weidberg N, Lopez Chiquillo L, Roman S, Roman M, Vazquez E, et al. Assessing high resolution thermal monitoring of complex intertidal environments from space: The case of ECOSTRESS at Rias Baixas, NW Iberia. Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment. 2023 November; 32101055. DOI: 10.1016/j.rsase.2023.101055.

2 Doughty CE, Keany JM, Wiebe BC, Rey-Sanchez C, Carter KR, et al. Tropical forests are approaching critical temperature thresholds. Nature. 2023 August 23; 621105-111. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06391-z.

3 Richard EC, Harber D, Coddington OM, Drake G, Rutkowski J, et al. SI-traceable spectral irradiance radiometric characterization and absolute calibration of the TSIS-1 Spectral Irradiance Monitor (SIM). Remote Sensing. 2020 January; 12(11): 1818. DOI: 10.3390/rs12111818.

4 Coddington OM, Richard EC, Harber D, Pilewskie P, Chance K, et al. The TSIS-1 hybrid solar reference spectrum. Geophysical Research Letters. 2021 April 26; 48(12): e2020GL091709. DOI: 10.1029/2020GL091709

5 Dubayah R, Armston J, Healey S, Bruening JM, Patterson PL, et al. GEDI launches a new era of biomass inference from space. Environmental Research Letters. 2022 August; 17(9): 095001. DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ac8694.

6 Thorpe A, Green RD, Thompson DR, Brodrick PG, Chapman DK, et al. Attribution of individual methane and carbon dioxide emission sources using EMIT observations from space. Science Advances. 2023 November 17; 9(46): eadh2391. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh2391.

7 Cusworth DH, Thorpe A, Miller CE, Ayasse AK, Jiorle R, et al. Two years of satellite-based carbon dioxide emission quantification at the world’s largest coal-fired power plants. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. 2023 November 24; 23(22): 14577-14591. DOI: 10.5194/acp-23-14577-2023.

8 Bhatta S, Pandit AK, Loughman R, Vernier J. Three-wavelength approach for aerosol-cloud discrimination in the SAGE III/ISS aerosol extinction dataset. Applied Optics. 2023 May; 62(13): 3454-3466. DOI: 10.1364/AO.485466 .

9 Kansakar P, Hossain F. A review of applications of satellite earth observation data for global societal benefit and stewardship of planet earth. Space Policy. 2016 May; 3646-54.

Discover More Topics

100+ Space Research Topics [Updated]

Space has always attracted humanity’s imagination. The vastness of the cosmos, with its twinkling stars, mysterious planets, and enigmatic black holes, beckons us to explore its depths. But why do we study space? What are the research topics that drive scientists to reach for the stars? In this blog, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of space research topics, exploring key topics that continue to inspire and challenge researchers around the globe.

Why Do We Study Space?

Table of Contents

Here are some key points explaining why we study space:

Understanding our Origins: Space research helps us uncover the origins of the universe, including how galaxies, stars, and planets formed.
Advancing Scientific Knowledge: Studying space leads to breakthroughs in physics, astronomy, and other scientific fields, expanding our understanding of the cosmos.
Technological Innovation: Space exploration drives the development of new technologies, such as satellite communication and medical imaging, benefiting society as a whole.
Exploration and Discovery: Humans are inherently curious, and space offers a vast frontier for exploration, fueling our desire to discover new worlds and phenomena.
Earth Observation: Space-based observations provide valuable data on Earth’s climate, weather patterns, and environmental changes, aiding in disaster management and conservation efforts.
Search for Life: Investigating other planets and celestial bodies helps us understand the conditions necessary for life, potentially leading to the discovery of extraterrestrial life forms.
Inspiration and Education: Space exploration inspires future generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers, fostering innovation and curiosity about the universe.

100+ Space Research Topics: Category Wise

Astronomy and astrophysics.

Exoplanet detection methods and recent discoveries
The life cycle of stars: from birth to death
Supermassive black holes and their role in galaxy formation
Gravitational waves: detection and implications
Dark matter and dark energy: understanding the mysteries of the universe
Supernovae explosions: studying the aftermath of stellar deaths
Galactic dynamics: exploring the structure and evolution of galaxies
Cosmic microwave background radiation: insights into the early universe
Gamma-ray bursts: uncovering the most energetic explosions in the cosmos
The search for extrasolar planets with potential habitable conditions

Planetary Science

Martian geology and the search for signs of past life
Jupiter’s Great Red Spot: dynamics and longevity
Saturn’s rings: composition, structure, and origin
Lunar exploration: past missions and future prospects
Venusian atmosphere: understanding the greenhouse effect and extreme conditions
Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto: Jupiter’s diverse moons
Titan: Saturn’s moon with an Earth-like atmosphere and hydrocarbon lakes
The Kuiper Belt and Oort Cloud: reservoirs of comets and icy bodies
Dwarf planets: Pluto, Eris, Haumea, Makemake, and Ceres
Planetary volcanism: processes and consequences on various celestial bodies

Space Technology and Engineering

Satellite constellations for global internet coverage
CubeSats: miniaturized satellites for scientific research and technology demonstration
Space debris mitigation strategies and technologies
Ion propulsion systems: efficient propulsion for deep space missions
Space telescopes: next-generation observatories for astronomy and astrophysics
Space-based solar power: harvesting solar energy in orbit
Asteroid mining: extracting resources from near-Earth objects
In-situ resource utilization on other planets and moons
Additive manufacturing (3D printing) in space exploration
Autonomous spacecraft navigation and control for long-duration missions

Astrobiology and the Search for Life

Extremophiles: organisms thriving in extreme environments on Earth and their implications for extraterrestrial life
Biosignatures: markers of past or present life on other planets
Methanogenesis on Mars: potential evidence for subsurface microbial life
Europa’s subsurface ocean: exploring the possibility of life beneath the ice
Enceladus: hydrothermal vents and the search for life in its subsurface ocean
The habitability of exoplanets: assessing conditions for life beyond the solar system
Panspermia: the transfer of life between celestial bodies
Astrobiology field research in extreme environments on Earth
SETI: the search for extraterrestrial intelligence and communication
The implications of discovering microbial life on Mars or other celestial bodies

Space Policy and Ethics

International collaboration in space exploration and research
The Outer Space Treaty: principles governing the use of outer space
Space tourism regulations and safety considerations
Space law and jurisdiction: legal frameworks for activities in space
Military applications of space technology and potential arms race in space
Space resource utilization and ownership rights
Space environmentalism: advocating for the protection of celestial bodies and their environments
Space colonization ethics and implications for human societies
Space governance beyond national boundaries
Cultural heritage preservation on the Moon and other celestial bodies

Challenges and Future Directions

Funding challenges and opportunities in space research and exploration
Space radiation hazards and mitigation strategies for astronauts
Interplanetary communication and navigation for deep space missions
Long-duration spaceflight: physiological and psychological effects on astronauts
Terraforming Mars: engineering a habitable environment on the Red Planet
Space elevator concept: a revolutionary approach to space access
Next-generation space launch vehicles and propulsion technologies
Nuclear propulsion for crewed missions to Mars and beyond
Space settlement design and infrastructure requirements
Advancing artificial intelligence and robotics for autonomous space exploration

Space Weather and Space Environment

Solar flares and coronal mass ejections: impacts on Earth’s magnetosphere and technology
Space weather forecasting and its applications in satellite operations
Magnetospheres of Earth and other planets: comparative studies and dynamics
Solar wind interactions with planetary atmospheres and magnetospheres
Aurora phenomena on Earth and other planets
Radiation belts: understanding and mitigating hazards for spacecraft and astronauts
Cosmic rays: sources, composition, and effects on space missions
Space climate change: long-term variations in solar activity and their consequences
Space weather effects on satellite communications, navigation, and power systems
Space weather monitoring and prediction networks

Space Exploration and Missions

Mars Sample Return mission: challenges and scientific objectives
Artemis program: NASA’s plans for returning astronauts to the Moon
Asteroid impact mitigation strategies and planetary defense initiatives
The James Webb Space Telescope: capabilities and scientific goals
Europa Clipper mission: exploring Jupiter’s icy moon for signs of habitability
China’s Chang’e lunar exploration program: past achievements and future missions
Commercial crew and cargo transportation to the International Space Station
Voyager and Pioneer missions: the farthest human-made objects in space
Space missions to study near-Earth objects and potential asteroid mining targets
International Mars exploration collaborations and missions

Space Communication and Navigation

Deep space communication networks and relay satellites
Laser communication technology for high-speed data transmission in space
Satellite-based navigation systems: GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS
Interplanetary Internet: protocols and architectures for space communications
Radio astronomy and interferometry: probing the universe with radio waves
Quantum communication in space: secure and ultra-fast communication channels
Delay-tolerant networking for deep space missions
Autonomous navigation systems for spacecraft and rovers
Optical communications for small satellites and CubeSats
Space-to-ground communication systems for remote sensing and Earth observation satellites

Space Medicine and Human Spaceflight

Microgravity effects on human physiology and health
Countermeasures for mitigating bone and muscle loss in space
Psychological challenges of long-duration space missions
Space food technology: nutrition and sustainability in space
Medical emergencies in space: protocols and procedures for astronaut health care
Radiation shielding and protection for crewed missions beyond Earth orbit
Sleep and circadian rhythms in space: optimizing astronaut performance
Artificial gravity concepts for maintaining crew health on long-duration missions
Telemedicine applications for space exploration missions
Bioastronautics research: advancing human spaceflight capabilities and safety

Space Industry and Commercialization

NewSpace companies: the rise of private space exploration ventures
Satellite constellation deployments for global internet coverage
Space tourism: opportunities, challenges, and market trends
Commercial spaceports and launch facilities around the world
Space manufacturing and in-space assembly techniques

Tips To Write Space Research Papers

Crafting space research papers can be a thrilling and fulfilling pursuit, yet it demands meticulous planning and implementation to guarantee that your efforts effectively convey your discoveries and make meaningful contributions to the discipline. Here are some tips to help you write space research papers:

Choose a Narrow Topic: Space is a vast field with numerous sub-disciplines. Narrow down your topic to something specific and manageable, ensuring that it aligns with your interests and expertise.
Conduct Thorough Research: Before you start writing, immerse yourself in the existing literature on your chosen topic. Familiarize yourself with key concepts, theories, and recent discoveries to provide context for your research.
Develop a Clear Thesis Statement: Define the central argument or hypothesis of your paper in a concise and focused thesis statement. This statement should guide your writing and serve as the foundation for your research.
Outline Your Paper: Create a detailed outline outlining the structure of your paper, including the introduction, literature review, results, and conclusion sections. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that your paper flows logically.
Write a Compelling Introduction: Begin your paper with a captivating introduction that offers context about your subject, underscores its importance, and delineates the paper’s framework . Grab the reader’s interest and inspire them to delve further into your work.
Provide a Comprehensive Literature Review: Synthesize the existing research on your topic in a literature review section. Examine pertinent research, theories, methodologies, and results, pinpointing any disparities or deficiencies in the existing literature that your study seeks to rectify.
Detail Your Methodology: Describe the methods you used to conduct your research, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation techniques. Provide enough detail for readers to understand how your study was conducted and to evaluate its validity and reliability.
Present Your Results Clearly: Present your research findings in a clear, concise manner, using tables, figures, and charts to illustrate key data points. Interpret your results objectively and discuss their implications in relation to your research question or hypothesis.
Engage in Critical Analysis: Analyze your findings in the context of existing literature, discussing their significance, strengths, limitations, and potential implications for future research. Be critical and objective in your evaluation, acknowledging any potential biases or limitations in your study.
Craft a Strong Conclusion: Summarize the main findings of your research and reiterate their significance in the conclusion section. Discuss any implications for theory, practice, or policy and suggest avenues for future research.
Proofread and Revise: Before submitting your paper, carefully proofread it for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Edit your writing to ensure clarity, coherence, and consistency, guaranteeing that your points are adequately backed and logically organized.
Follow Formatting Guidelines: Follow the formatting instructions provided by the journal or conference to which you intend to submit your paper. Pay attention to details such as font size, margins, citation style, and reference formatting to ensure that your paper meets the publication requirements.

Space research offers a window into the vastness of the cosmos, revealing the beauty and complexity of the universe we inhabit. From the depths of space to the surfaces of distant planets, scientists are uncovering new wonders and answering age-old questions about our place in the universe. As we look to the stars, let us be inspired by the spirit of exploration and discovery that drives humanity ever onward, towards new horizons and unknown worlds. I hope you find the best space research topics from the above list.

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50, 100, And 300 Words Essay on Space In English

Table of Contents

Introduction

Children are interested in space because it is a fascinating topic. It generates curiosity and interest among us when we hear about space missions or astronauts flying into space. In our minds, there are many questions.

At takeoff, how intense is the acceleration for astronauts? When you are floating weightlessly in space, how does it feel? What is the sleeping environment like for astronauts? How do they eat? When viewed from space, how does Earth look? In this essay on space, you will find the answers to all of these questions. To gain a deeper understanding of space, students should read it.

50 Words Essay on Space

Space is the area outside the earth. Planets, meteors, stars, and other celestial objects can be found in space. Meteors are objects that fall from the sky. There is a lot of silence in space. If you scream loudly enough in space, no one will hear you.

Air does not exist in space! What a strange experience that would be! Yes, indeed! Basically, it’s just a vacuum. No sound waves can travel in this space and no sunlight can scatter in it. A black blanket can sometimes cover space.

There is some life in space. Stars and planets are separated by a vast distance. Gas and dust fill this gap. Celestial bodies also exist in other constellations. There are many of them, including our planet.

100 Words Essay on Space

The sound of your scream can’t be heard in space. The vacuum in space is caused by the lack of air. Vacuums do not permit the propagation of sound waves.

A 100 km radius around our planet marks the beginning of “outer space.”. Space appears as a black blanket dotted with stars due to the absence of air to scatter sunlight.

There is a common belief that space is empty. However, this is not true. Massive amounts of thinly spread gas and dust fill the vast gaps between stars and planets. A few hundred atoms or molecules per cubic meter can be found even in the most empty parts of space.

Radiation in space can also be dangerous to astronauts in many forms. Solar radiation is a major source of infrared and ultraviolet radiation. A high-energy X-ray, gamma ray, and cosmic ray particle can travel as fast as light if it comes from a distant star system.

300 Words Essay on Space

Our countrymen have always been fascinated by things related to space. It was only through imagination and stories that man could dream of traveling in space when it was absolutely impossible to do so.

Space Travel is Now Possible

Until the twentieth century, the man had significant success in space research, giving this dream a simple form.

India has grown so much in science in the 21st century that many mysteries of space have been solved by the country. Additionally, visiting the moon has become very easy now, which was the dream of many long ago. As a side note, human spaceflight began in 1957.

First Life in Space

‘Layaka’ was sent into space for the first time via this vehicle to explore how space affects animals.

A spacecraft named Explorer was launched by the United States of America on January 31, 1958, giving another title to the world of space.

An enormous magnetic field above the Earth was to be discovered through this vehicle, along with its effects on Earth as a whole.

First Passenger

Our space research history is remembered for the event of July 20, 1969. Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin became the first Americans to set foot on the moon on this day.

Sitting on a spacecraft named ‘Apollo-11’, he reached the surface of the moon. A third passenger in this spacecraft was Michael Collins.

He said, “Everything is beautiful” when he first landed on the moon. With this, he became the first person in the world to land on the moon.

Conclusion,

It would have been impossible to have imagined that the era of space tourism would also come in the future following the dawn of the space age. The first space tourist in the world was India’s Dennis Tito in 2002.

Long And Short Essay On Water Conservation In English

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James “Red” Duke, Jr., MD Papers

By Tara Carron, Archivist and Special Collections Librarian.

Newly acquired! The papers of James “Red” Duke, Jr., MD were recently donated to the McGovern Historical Center. A box-level guide to the collection is now available online, and the materials are open for research. More information regarding Dr. Duke’s biographical history and his papers can be found on our collections site .

As one of the inaugural faculty members at the University of Texas’ McGovern Medical School in Houston , Dr. Duke established the trauma service at Herman Hospital (now Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center). He played a key role in creating the state’s first air ambulance service, Life Flight , serving as its medical director for nearly four decades. In 2016, the institute was renamed Memorial Hermann Red Duke Trauma Institute in his honor.

A founding member of the American Trauma Society, Dr. Duke dedicated much of his career to improving trauma care infrastructure and injury prevention programs. His influence extended to national recognition through the Texas Health Reports television program, where he educated millions on various health topics. Beyond his medical achievements, Dr. Duke’s distinctive appearance and folksy humor on TV made him a beloved personality in the field. His impact was not confined to medicine; he was also a devoted conservationist, serving in leadership roles for wildlife organizations.

[MS 250 James "Red" Duke, Jr., MD papers on the shelves at the McGovern Historical Center, Texas Medical Center Library]

The Texas Medical Center Library. 1133 John Freeman Blvd, Houston, TX 77030

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