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It’s not so easy to get to space. There are many challenges, but with the right research, it’s possible. In this article, we’ll explore the progress that’s been made and what the future holds for space travel. In addition, we’ll discuss costs and the future plans for space travel. After you’ve read this article, you’ll be well-equipped to decide if space travel is really worth the effort.

Challenges of space travel

Many people dream of visiting outer space, but few people consider the challenges of space travel and the challenges astronauts face. Space radiation, altered gravity fields, and isolation from mother Earth are a few of the many health risks astronauts face. Even if space travel doesn’t pose physical dangers, it can still have a significant psychological impact on astronauts. Here are the top challenges astronauts face in space. And what about those who will eventually visit Mars or return to the Moon?

While these stressors affect astronauts separately, they combine to influence human physiology. This unifying framework, called the space exposome, reflects the interaction of environmental and individual impacts on the human body. For example, astronauts will face many health challenges while in space, and the artificial gravity in space can prevent bone loss and other health issues. A space craft cannot travel as fast as an airplane or a missile, so landing in space will be challenging.

Progress

The progress in space travel technology has allowed astronauts to get to the moon more than once and may make the dream of intergalactic tourism a reality for average people. A series of NASA awards have rewarded companies with the best chances of helping astronauts return to the moon by 2024. Companies such as SpaceX, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin have all received such awards. Even Virgin Galactic, a space tourism company founded by Richard Branson, plans to enter the stock market by the end of 2019.

Although the free market is often considered a force for innovation, market constraints have historically served as a huge impetus for progress. Private companies like Virgin Galactic have demonstrated that the private sector can do well in space travel, and Boeing has also recently announced plans for a commercial space business. However, while the free market can foster creativity, it is not well suited for long-term planning and innovation. While this approach may be more suitable for commercial space travel, it’s still not the best option for long-term planning.

Future plans

By 2050, more nations will join the “space club” and send astronauts to the Moon or Mars. Meanwhile, more commercial entities will establish permanent bases in space and pursue new space-related ventures. By then, Earth’s orbital lanes will be more crowded, especially in LEO, because of growing commercialization of space. In addition to spaceships, constellations of CubeSats and broadband internet and telecommunication satellites will also add to the crowding problem.

While the future of space exploration is largely unknown, several important projects are underway. President Bush’s “Vision for Space Exploration” was introduced on 14 January 2004, and Congress passed legislation to support the project, including a $16.2 billion budget for NASA and a bill that explicitly endorsed the project. However, since then, the Obama administration has reversed course, cancelling the Constellation program to send astronauts back to the Moon. President Obama has emphasized that we should not forget the importance of human exploration and the importance of a future space colony.

Costs

The cost of human spaceflight has been a topic of controversy since the Apollo 11 craft launched on July 20, 1969. While the costs of these missions have declined significantly, the number of actors launching satellites into space is increasing. Moreover, major powers have set up their own space forces, militarizing and weaponizing space. In the same way, lower costs of space travel are opening up new vistas for extraterrestrial life. According to experts, as many as 17,000 asteroids may be suitable for mining, and other benefits would be achieved. Consequently, the space industry may be worth $2.7 trillion annually by the year 2050.

But even these benefits aren’t cheap. Investing in space travel has put the U.S. in debt, and this has had a knock-on effect on other sectors. It has also led to several tragic deaths in space missions. Various tests must be passed in order for astronauts to successfully complete moonwalks. Even though many of these tests are designed to make astronauts as safe as possible, they are still exposed to great danger.