Let’s take a look back at the last month of 2023 and what happened beyond low Earth orbit. In December 2023, we had spacecrafts celebrating more than 20 years in space. And a successful lunar orbit insertion.
Mars
October 2023 beyond low earth orbit
In October 2023, we saw a spacecraft launch on a mission beyond low earth orbit, and two spacecraft celebrated anniversaries of more than a decade. Read on to learn more.
September 2023 beyond low earth orbit
As September 2023 has come to a close, let’s review what has happened beyond low earth orbit. This month we had historic firsts for India and NASA as well.
August 2023 beyond low earth orbit
Let’s take a look back at what happened in August 2023 beyond low earth orbit. We had anniversaries, a mission that failed but also a first in spaceflight.
July 2023 beyond low earth orbit
Let’s take a look back at July 2023 and what happened beyond low earth orbit.
It’s only been 1 year on Mars
Back in 2020 three missions launched from Earth to reach or land on Mars. They have now been there for just over a Martian year. Let’s take a look at what they’ve done so far. But first, do you actually know what a Martian year is?
8 active spacecrafts in orbit around Mars
Having spent some time on the surface of Mars, we’ll take a look at spacecrafts in orbit around Mars this time. Let’s start with the oldest spacecraft. From there we’ll go forward in time. Eventually, we encounter spacecrafts, I already mentioned in my last post about spacecraft on the surface of Mars. Let’s get started!
About a little helicopter on Mars and his fellow travelers
Have you heard about Ingenuity? The little helicopter flying around on Mars. No? Then you missed the first powered, controlled flight on another planet. So, let’s take a closer look at Ingenuity and the other spacecrafts on the surface of Mars. Do you know any of the other spacecrafts?
What’s happening beyond LEO?
Have you been following the activities of the space industry in the last couple of years? If not, you have missed a lot. The industry is transforming more and more from spacecraft designed and operated by governments to commercially build spacecraft and operated missions. This is made clear by the new Firsts achieved in the last fifteen years. These include the first:
- privately funded liquid-propellant rocket (Falcon 1 by SpaceX in 2008)
- private company to
- successfully launch, orbit, and recover a spacecraft (Dragon by SpaceX in 2010)
- send a spacecraft to the International Space Station (Dragon by SpaceX in 2012)
- commercial module in space (BEAM by Bigelow Aerospace in 2016)
- private company to send astronauts to orbit and the International Space Station (Crew Dragon by SpaceX in 2020)
Technological advancements
In addition, there have been technological advancements and breakthroughs, including first
- successful vertical landing of a rocket booster that reached space (New Shepard by Blue Origin in 2015)
- vertical take-off and vertical propulsive landing for an orbital rocket (Falcon 9 by SpaceX in 2015)
- reuse of an orbital rocket (Falcon 9 by SpaceX in 2017)
And these are just some examples.
China, India and the rest of the world
You might have noticed, that all the above has been achieved in the US. But the rest of the world isn’t sleeping either. Especially China is very active. And while they are catching up on a very fast pace, they are already achieving their firsts in spaceflight, like landing the first spacecraft on the far side of the moon. They are currently building their first modular space station in orbit and have just launched the first crew with a mission duration of six months.
Aside from China, India has already sent spacecrafts to the Moon (Chandrayaan-1 in 2008) and Mars (Mangalyaan in 2013). And in 2020 the United Arab Emirates Space Agency joined the other space agencies by sending a spacecraft (al-Amal) to Mars.
Looking beyond
And plans are looking far beyond low earth orbit. The Moon is a target again. With plans for manned missions and stations on the Moon and in orbit. This time with the goal of a sustained presence on the surface. Can you imagine looking at the Moon at night and knowing, that there are humans up there? We will probably experience this again in our lifetime.
But the plans go even further. Some are dreaming of a settlement on Mars. With the goal of making life multi planetary. Others are dreaming of mining asteroids for resources or moving heavy industry of the planet. There are plans for large space stations in the works. Or generating and delivering solar power from orbit to space.
You might say, that these plans have existed for a long time and nothing has happened. And that’s true. But I see a new momentum for space flight activities building up. And the development we saw in the last few years is just the beginning.
What do we need?
So, I think it’s time to take a closer look at what’s happening beyond low earth orbit right now. And then learn about what is required for humans to live and work beyond low earth orbit. Come and join me on this journey to learn and find out!