The Future of NASA Is Riding on Asteroids

July 12, 2011 Technology

This article was written by: Andrew Stedman

NASA Buys a Russian Bus Ticket

NASA’s closure of the 30 year old space shuttle program last week will cause a shift in their role from a supplier, to that of a purchaser of space based services.

It is not unheard of for NASA to “take a break” from its regular programs so that they can focus on development of the next generation. Back in 1975 the Apollo-Soyuz joint mission was the beginning of a “space break” for the USA with the next manned flight not coming until 1981 with the birth of the Space Shuttle. With the USA now grounded the only way they can get astronauts to the international space station (ISS) for the next few years is by quite literally renting seats on Russian craft, Soyuz, at a rate of between US$51 million and US$61 million each.

So what’s NASA got planned for it’s next phase? Well according to NASA Administrator, Charles Bolden, a multi tiered plan is in place. It is said that NASA will be working with private Aerospace companies and assisting them in getting cargo and passenger craft into low-earth orbit. Having privately owned industry take on the low orbit space will allow NASA to focus on the bigger picture, long distance, deep space travel.

Does Deep Space Have Anything To Offer?

Obama’s plan to move on from the moon was of a “been there, done that” approach. However with so little known about what’s out in deeper space, many feel that it is too big a financial risk as the chances of not finding anything of commercial value out there is quite high. In addition to that, limitations of the Human lifespan and their susceptibility to radiation are among a whole list of reasons as to why many feel that long distance space travel is simply not for Humans.

Despite the critics the next project on the cards for NASA is a manned mission to Mars. They are hoping to land on a near-earth asteroid as it flies by and quite literally ride it to the red planet. There are currently 5 known “catchable” asteroids due to pass by the earth before the year 2100 however many more are expected to be found. Using this method Astronauts may also be able to shield themselves from the dangerous solar radiation that hampers long distance space travel.

In future it would be ideal if NASA were actually able to “nudge” an asteroid into a permanent orbit between Mars and earth essentially creating, permanent high speed transport system. Japan is already developing solar sail technology that may allow such feats.

Space Goes Private

The current role and the push towards a private space race is not and entirely new one. In 1986 after the challenger disaster president Regan, ordered government agencies to go and purchase space based launch services. What NASA are doing now with the Aerospace industry and low-Earth orbit transport is simply using a system that they have used many times in the past for cargo and adapting it for passengers and crew in the form of smaller, manned spacecraft.

By utilising contractors to develop these technologies NASA hopes to create a space industry boom which will in turn help reduce costs for government missions. Commercially available space travel offers the chance to develop an entire space tourism industry as well as offer many scientific and technological applications at a reduced cost.

To aid Aerospace companies in taking control of low-earth orbit the government has passed on some solid financial support. Currently the biggest beneficiaries include Boeing who was given US$92.3 million towards development of the CST-100 crew capsule. Sierra Nevada Corporation was also handed US$80 million to enhance their vertically lifting Dream Chaser spacecraft.

Time will tell as to how the future unfolds for both NASA and the Aerospace industry however it looks like some exciting advancements may soon be underway.

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia and NASA

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