Nehru Planetarium
Nehru Memorial Museum and Library
and
Amateur Astronomers Association, Delhi
Invite you to
Abstract
Space has occupied human thought from times immemorial. It is now demanding the attention of many nations. This looks puzzling from the point of view of a large percentage of worlds nearly 7 billion human population. This point of view makes a forceful argument about providing essentials for living as higher priority than sending missions into space or to distant planets. Then, one wonders as to how is it that many nations are ignoring this priority in favor of spending resources on space programs. In this presentation the benefits ensuing from the space exploration efforts will be discussed. The factors that contribute to the phenomenological growth in space exploration and utilization include national pride, recognition of technological superiority, scientific investigations into the origin and progression of universe and life within it, commercial benefits, and spin-offs in national security and defense areas.
Humans will learn to live in harsh and inhabitable earth locations such as deserts, tundra, marsh lands, snow clad mountains, and extremely hot and cold places as a result of space exploration missions. Processes for the utilization of in-situ resources and recycling used materials, systems, and human waste are essential to long duration missions and longer stays on Moon and Mars. This methodology will also find applications on Earth.
Living in space continues to unfold unique insights into human physiology and psychology as a result of the role of gravity, living in relatively small closed space, limitations on diet and other consumables, stress and strains caused by isolated living and possible failure of systems, and limited recreation and relaxation. The countermeasures that will be developed to make humans healthy and productive in space will find immediate applications here on Earth.
A discussion of the need for technology development for the exploration and development of space will be presented. The R&T areas considered important for a human missions include advanced human support, renewable resources and utilization of planetary resources, space transportation, automation and robotics, space power, information processing and communications systems, sensors, and instruments. NASA is actively providing the technology developed for the space applications to industry, universities, and other organizations for research, education and commercialization purposes. Strategies for this technology transfer will also be presented. Examples of some space technologies with great potential in the commercial sector will also be discussed.