Elon Musk’s goal to become the first private company to send a vehicle into space has finally been achieved. On May 30, 2020, SpaceX launched a Tesla Roadster that is currently traversing beyond the Moon’s orbit and into space. Musk’s second-stage Falcon Heavy rocket, which is the most powerful ever launched, is also part of the mission.
The car, known as the Starman, is being propelled by three rocket boosters and is travelling at approximately 7.8 kilometers per second – that’s 28 times the speed of sound. It is expected to travel the next thousand years before it encounters the vicinity of another celestial body.
The impact of this success has already been felt globally. Last year, the launch of the Falcon Heavy generated interest amongst aerospace executives, venture capitalists, and environmentalists. It also marked a new era in space exploration where private companies could lead the way in space exploration. Musk’s vision for the mission included a daring first-ever plan for a private spaceship to fly around the planet, a testament to what was possible if there were no governmental financial or political pressures.
The mission, called “Starman in Space,” was intended to test the performance of the Falcon Heavy rocket, as well as to assess the capabilities of the Tesla Roadster that SpaceX had fitted with cameras and instruments to measure the effects of space on the vehicle. The mission has achieved both of its objectives and has proven that SpaceX can now send payloads to outer space.
The success of the mission has also shown that private companies can achieve the same level of success that was once only reserved for national governments. This is a step forward in the democratization of space exploration, with private companies now relying on their own financial and technological resources to explore the universe.
The success of the mission has also created plenty of excitement around the world. Photos from space of the car floating towards outer space have ignited imaginations. Space enthusiasts and science journalists have also had a field day, either in awe of the possibilities or imagining the possibilities.
Although the mission has achieved its objectives, the success with which the vehicle is operating is still uncertain. As the car moves further from Earth, it will be increasingly difficult to operate and monitor, if anything were to go wrong. And if something were to happen, there would be no one around to witness or intervene.
Musk’s mission has proven that exploration of the unknown realms of space is no longer a distant dream. If a private company can launch and control a vehicle in outer space, a small private company can also possibly launch a human mission to explore frontiers in space much sooner than expected.
Impact of the Mission on Space Exploration
The success of Elon Musk’s mission has emboldened private companies to turn their attention to space exploration. As the economics of launching a spacecraft has now become more accessible, private entities are actively looking into innovative ways for sending payloads into outer space. Private companies such as Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and Aerospace have pledged to become major players in space exploration.
These companies are now actively collaborating with each other and aerospace companies such as NASA and the European Space Agency, to develop technologies and discoveries which could lead to the advancement of space exploration. Even traditional national space agencies have been inspired to initiate new space exploration programs. All these have made space exploration much more accessible and popular.
The successes of the mission will lead to the greater possibilities of space-based science, technology, and commerce initiatives. Already, companies such as Amazon, Facebook, and Microsoft are investigating the possibilities for using space for advanced platforms for global research and communication. These advances could lead to more efficient systems for the analysis of data, the development of commercial products, and the establishment of global connections for people and business.
The next decade will likely witness more groundbreaking space exploration projects, including putting humans on Mars. SpaceX is already planning to place humans on Mars by 2024, and NASA is considering building a permanent base on the moon. These developments could be the starting point for intergalactic explorations by humans.
The Risk Involved
The successes of the mission have shown the potential advantages of private companies’ involvement in space exploration. However, the mission has also highlighted potential risks associated with private companies or private individuals having access to outer space.
The primary risk is that of space debris. Exploration and launching of spacecraft create a large amount of debris which can be hazardous to future journey of astronauts. Even the smallest fragments of a spacecraft can cause significant damage during a shuttle journey.
Another risk associated with having access to outer space is the possibility of space conflict. No country or international body has jurisdiction over outer space, and with private companies and private individuals having their own spacecrafts, the possibility of armed conflict in space could arise.
Tackling these risks involve a shift in mindsets and attitudes towards space exploration. Private companies and private individuals must ensure that their actions are collective and for the benefit of humanity, rather than for individual gain. International agreements aiming to reduce the effects of space debris, and to prevent conflicts in space must be put into place.
The Implications of the Mission
The success of the mission has implications for a variety of industries and fields. The most immediate impact will be on the private space industry, which has experienced considerable growth since the mission’s launch. It has made private space exploration much more viable, with the provision of reducing the cost of launches and payloads.
The mission has also made space tourism more of a reality. Companies such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic have announced plans to send tourists to space, something that was once out of reach for ordinary people. The success of Elon Musk’s mission also gives rise to opportunities of further exploration and research. This could have implications for exploration of celestial bodies and the discovery of new planets or asteroids.
It could also lead to the development of new vehicles and the testing of them in outer space, allowing astronauts to travel further and to push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe. This could lead to the development of space colonies, space-based industry, and transportation networks.
Finally, the success of the mission and space exploration in general, could propel more countries to explore space and to use space as a platform for international cooperation. This would be a step forward in the development of humanity as a species and the future of international relations.
The Benefits of the Mission
The impact of the mission has been far greater than just opening up possibilities of space exploration. It has also opened up discussions about the impact of space exploration on the environment, infrastructure, and economy.
The mission has already triggered a shift towards renewable energy, with SpaceX focusing its resources into developing reusable rockets, which burn less fuel and greatly reduce fuel consumption costs. This could lead to advances in other industries as well, such as transportation and aviation, as new technologies are developed.
The mission also sparks discussion around infrastructure and the need to develop infrastructure which will support the use of space as a platform for exploration and industry. As private companies and nations look to space as a way of establishing commercial interests, there will be a need to build infrastructure which will support the growth of the industry. This could have implications for the future of cities and country economies.
Finally, the success of the mission could also be an opportunity to foster international collaboration. Already, private companies and national space agencies are openly sharing information and knowledge, with the intention of advancing humanity’s understanding of the universe. This collaboration can lead to the development of new technologies, discoveries, and economic opportunities.
Conclusion
Elon Musk has achieved his mission to become the first private company to send a vehicle into outer space with the launching of the Tesla Roadster and the Falcon Heavy Rocket. This success has opened up a new era of space exploration, where private companies have the opportunity to become major actors in the exploration of outer space. It has also highlighted some potential risks associated with private entities having access to outer space, such as the possibility of space debris and space conflicts. Finally, The mission provides benefits such as greater possibilities of space exploration, a shift towards renewable energies, and an opportunity to foster international collaboration.
