We Need to go to the Moon
We’ve been listening about NASA’s and ROSCOSMOS’s space missions since the early 90’s. Some people think these space missions are useless and merely a waste of money. A few people also wonder if these space missions are worth the effort, time, resources and brilliance of our scientists.
Recently, there was hype about the lunar missions of ISRO and the Soviet Union when ISRO launched Chandryan-3 and the Soviet Union launched Luna-25, both planned to land on the south pole of the moon for the first time in the world.
Unfortunately, the onboard control unit failed to turn off the thrusters of Luna-25 at the proper time, leading to the failure of the mission. However, Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed softly on the south pole of the Moon and conducted its research.
Following Luna-25, ROSCOSMOS scheduled Luna 27 for 2027. The Apollo missions by NASA and Chang’e missions by China are also lunar missions to explore the Moon.
Every space organization is trying to reach the Moon, regardless of the expenses and resources. There must be a significant reason behind it. Let’s explore together why the world is investing in Moon missions and is eager to go to the Moon.
Why?
1- Space Race:
The reason behind the first moon mission was the cold war tension between Russia and USA. This cold war led to space war between them.
During this space race, lunar missions played significant role. Both wanted to be the first to reach the Moon, which resulted in numerous Moon missions.
2- Solar System:
There are various theories about the formation of the Moon. However, the Giant Impact Hypothesis suggests that the Moon is a part of our planet Earth. According to some scientists, Moon formed when a Mars-sized object collided with Earth.
As the Moon is considered to be a part of Earth, there are various aspects that are supposedly similar to Earth. For instance, some minerals present on Earth can also be found on the Moon.
Because the Moon is believed to be a part of Earth, it is thought that there might be information about Earth or our solar system that could be discovered on the Moon. To gather this information accurately, it is necessary to go to the Moon and conduct various experiments there.
3- Mineral Exploration:
There is a large variety of minerals present on the Moon. Some of these minerals are also found on Earth, but the unique composition of minerals like Anorthosite on the Moon makes them valuable.
Recently, sulfur has also been detected there, which is very useful in pharmaceuticals and wastewater treatment.
4- Water Ice:
As the Moon is considered a part of Earth’s history, the presence of water on the Moon was anticipated. In Chandrayaan-2 mission, water was detected in shadowed craters at the Moon’s poles. However, the primary objective of that mission was not to search for water on the Moon.
After a series of Moon missions, scientists have discovered the presence of water on the Moon in the form of water ice. This discovery has a significant potential for future lunar missions and various purposes.
Scientists are also researching ways to generate water on the Moon, which could prove useful for our future. It can reduce the cost of transporting water on Moon during crew missions.
5- Education:
Moon missions and other space missions are important for educational purposes. The more we explore the moon, the more the next generation can learn about it.
6- Employment Opportunities:
Moon missions require a high level of expertise in various fields. Behind a single moon mission, the work of thousands of scientists, engineers, experts across different fields and medical professionals (in case of crew missions) is essential.
This form of teamwork utilizes the energy and productivity of thousands of people in space exploration for the benefit of the world.
7- Inspire Youth:
Moon missions are of great importance in inspiring youth to study and explore space. It helps our youth understand that there’s no limit to research and explore.
Regardless of these Moon missions which look like fantasies or some kind of dream to us, we lost great lives during these missions. Here’s the story of a cosmonaut who died during a space mission.
Let’s not forget people who died trying to do something for us.
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