National Academies Press: OpenBook

Space Technology for the New Century (1998)

Chapter: Appendix C

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Suggested Citation:"Appendix C." National Research Council. 1998. Space Technology for the New Century. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6068.
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Page 37

Appendix C—
Representative Future Space Activities

Study the Galaxy and the Universe
Acquire better observations across the electromagnetic spectrum

gamma and x-ray imaging and spectroscopic follow-on investigations

deployment of single-element optical instrumentation at 1 to 10 meter scales

space- and lunar-based radio and optical interferometer deployment at 10 to 100 meter scales

coupled space-Earth interferometer systems

study the interstellar medium with a submillimeter telescope

investigate cosmic microwave background

advanced infrared and near/far ultraviolet missions

cosmic ray identification and energy measurement campaigns

Survey cosmic rays and interstellar gas as samples of extra-solar matter

interstellar probe

probe for 1,000 astronomical unit scale distances

Carry out basic new tests of gravitational theory

detect and understand gravitational waves

Search for life beyond our solar system

detect and image planets in other solar systems

search for signals from extraterrestrials

Suggested Citation:"Appendix C." National Research Council. 1998. Space Technology for the New Century. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6068.
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Page 38

Study and Explore the Solar System
Conduct unmanned missions to objects in the solar system to investigate
near-planet
space environments, atmospheres, surfaces, and interiors

fly-by missions

orbiters and observational platforms

landers and rovers with and without sample return

direct atmospheric probes and aerobots

fleets of microprobes, microlanders, and microrovers

terrestrial surface sensor networks

Study interaction among Sun, Earth, and heliosphere

stereoscopic sun observations

near-field solar probe to understand solar structure and dynamics

explore coupling between solar radiation and Earth's atmosphere, magnetosphere, and plasmasphere

study solar plasma transport and energization, including solar wind sample return and investigation of coronal mass ejections

Conduct human missions to explore the Moon, Mars, and the asteroids
Establish long-term human presence in space

low-Earth orbit (LEO) and beyond-LEO space habitats

lunar and Martian bases

Study the Earth
Establish better understanding of global processes through remote sensing

investigate seasonal, interannual, and long-term variability in:

 

land cover and use

 

atmospheric chemistry and dynamics from troposphere to mesosphere

 

the dynamics of the ocean and the cryosphere

 

interactions among biospheric systems

natural hazard prediction and management

geodesic missions

weather prediction

environmental and infrastructure management

resource identification and management

Suggested Citation:"Appendix C." National Research Council. 1998. Space Technology for the New Century. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6068.
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Page 39

Provide Other Services to Users on Earth
Provide communications services to users on Earth

mobile communications

direct broadcast communications

fixed-service communications

geographic information systems

Expand navigation services to launch vehicles and spacecraft at all altitudes
Space Operations and Infrastructure
Preserve the near-Earth environment

expanded space debris tracking system

space debris cleanup

Utilize off-Earth resources for terrestrial and space activities

tests of robotic utilization of local resources

surface mining of planets and small bodies (e.g., asteroids, comets)

Study the effects of microgravity

biological processes

effects of microgravity on humans

physical processes

fluid mechanics and transfer

combustion

chemical processes

Create new services

spacecraft staging, assembly, and refurbishing services

point-to-point transport on Earth via space

space-based power depots for use in terrestrial activities and transmission to spacecraft and planetary bases

manufacturing (materials and pharmaceuticals) in space

space tourism

disposal of hazardous materials

space-based cultural/entertainment activities

Suggested Citation:"Appendix C." National Research Council. 1998. Space Technology for the New Century. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6068.
×
Page 37
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C." National Research Council. 1998. Space Technology for the New Century. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6068.
×
Page 38
Suggested Citation:"Appendix C." National Research Council. 1998. Space Technology for the New Century. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/6068.
×
Page 39
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