Future in Space

New explorations

            So much has happened since the beginning of the space age that you may wonder what lies ahead. Two space probes launched twelve days apart in 1977 began a tour of the outer solar system. They will not complete their mission until 1989. These space probes have been programmed to send back information from Jupiter and Saturn and their moons. They may possibly fly by and gather data from Uranus in 1986 and Neptune in 1989. Another probe will orbit Jupiter and penetrate its atmosphere.
            Landings on Mars, like those carried out by Viking 1 and Viking 2, are also being planned. Perhaps a vehicle that can travel from place to place on the planet's surface will be sent on future trips to Mars. Although a piloted trip to Mars has been considered, it is not in the planning stage yet. Such a venture will be very costly and will take three years for a round trip.
            The space shuttle's first piloted flight into space in 1979 marks the beginning of reusable spacecraft. The space shuttle is a spacecraft that can be launched like a rocket but can be landed like an airplane Satellites can be carried into space aboard the shuttle. From there they can be sent into another orbit around the earth – one farther out in space. The shuttle can also be used to carry people to repair damaged satellites in orbit and to transport supplies and new crews for space stations.

Space colonies

            Perhaps in your lifetime some pioneers will leave the earth to live or to work on colonies built in space, on the moon, or on other planets. Designs for such colonies have already been made.
            To build a space colony, some scientists think that the raw materials can be mined on the moon. Lower gravity on the moon would make such work easier than it is on the earth. Soil from the moon could be sent from there to an orbiting space station. Oxygen, iron, aluminum, and other materials could be extracted from the lunar soil. Finally, these materials could be sent on to a place in space suitable for the space colony. A colony with all the necessities for a comfortable life could then be built there.