Space exploration

Under Space Research ( engl. space exploration, literally: space exploration ) is the active exploration of space, ( carried out on the earth ) either by observation, remote sensing or probing celestial bodies or by terrestrial experiments that can be applied to conditions in space. Currently, the operations performed in space research are particularly

• The launch of space probes to planets, moons and asteroids
• Conducting experiments on board space stations ( currently the ISS, formerly the Russian Mir )
• Or observing objects through radio and space telescopes, such as SOHO or the Hubble Space Telescope.

Aerospace and space research are often confused. However, the space research is only part of the space. It mainly deals with the research and technical development, while space may also include the transport of satellites in orbit or similar missions.

• 2.1 Spectacular scientific information from the unmanned space exploration

Manned Space Exploration

In the future, space exploration could also come from the posting of astronauts to distant objects such as the Moon or Mars exist, the inefficiency of current drives makes space travel to longer operations. The same time come this supply problems on what fuel, food, air, water and other consumer goods are concerned. Moreover, for space travelers that move far outside the magnetic field of the earth, cosmic radiation, for example by solar flares dangerous, which may increase the risk of cancer by prolonged exposure time. Thus manned space exploration remains at distant objects, at least in the near future unlikely.

The most famous operations of manned space exploration, the Apollo flights, culminating in repeated landings on the moon.

New scientific findings from the manned space exploration

Are examined primarily the effects of weightlessness on humans, animals and plants. For further details do not go forth as a rule of the press reports.

Unmanned Space Exploration

However, it is very likely that in the future the majority of space exploration will be carried out by automatic probes, as this just may well or even better than people perform most tasks required on their flight have no supply problems, and not on a return flight, are still dependent on a comprehensive life support on board. All this makes it much cheaper and gives them dramatic advances in capabilities and service life. The only disadvantage compared to manned space research is the lack of flexibility of probes that can only carry out their pre-determined tasks.

By far the longest running research unmanned space mission launched in 1977, the two probes Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, which still operate and have now left the solar system. Newer unmanned missions are Deep Impact or the two Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity.

Spectacular scientific information from the unmanned space exploration

Of the many unexpected results of the spacecraft is mentioned here: The volcanism on Jupiter's moon Io, the dense atmosphere of Venus, geysers on Neptune moon Triton, ethane lakes on Saturn's moon Titan, etc.