Science & Tech. (Importance of Lunar exploration) by Rajvardhan

Model Answer

Question #1. What are the objectives of NASA’s Artemis mission? How will it help prepare for human landing on Mars? 10 marks (150 words)

Approach:

• The question requires analysis of NASA’s Artemis mission in light of its benefits  and objectives
• In introduction, write about NASA’s Artemis mission
• Write about the objectives of NASA’s Artemis Mission
• Then explain ways in which NASA’s Artemis Mission will help prepare for human landing on Mars
• Conclude with the gist of your answer

Hints:

NASA has embarked on a mission called Artemis that involves a multistage plan to send astronauts to the moon and beyond. The Artemis mission will culminate with landing the first woman and person of color on the moon. The most ambitious of the Artemis mission's objectives involves using the moon as a stepping stone for a mission to Mars.

What are the Artemis missions?

The Artemis missions are increasingly complex endeavors that lay the foundation for sustainable human and robotic exploration of Earth's only natural satellite, the Moon.

Mission includes:

1. Artemis I, an uncrewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft, launched on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on November 16, 2022;
2. Artemis II, the first-ever crewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft, targeted to launch no earlier than November 2024; and
3. Artemis III, currently targeted for no earlier than 2025, will fly astronauts to the Moon. The mission will land humans on the lunar surface.

During later missions, astronauts will dock Orion to the Lunar Gateway, a small space station to which Canada is contributing a smart robotic system, Canadarm3. The Gateway is critical to sustainable lunar exploration and will serve as a model for future missions to Mars. From the Gateway, astronauts will be able to venture to the lunar surface.

Objectives of NASA’s Artemis Mission:

• Enable scientific discovery: NASA’s Artemis aims to find water and other resources that will support long-term space exploration. Along the way, the agency expects to learn more about the moon, Earth and the universe. Ultimately, establishing a presence on the moon will give NASA and its partners the knowledge and operational confidence necessary to make it to Mars.
• Economic opportunities: The space economy is already a $400 billion industry and on the way to $1 trillion. As there is already a momentum behind a nascent space economy, Artemis mission will create new opportunities in the space especially on moon. 
• Inspire upcoming generations: The mission also aims to inspire the young generations to study science by unveiling the fascinating mysteries of the universe and creating a sense of curiosity in young minds.
• NASA will establish an Artemis Base Camp on the surface and a gateway in the lunar orbit to aid exploration by robots and astronauts.

Ways in which NASA’s Artemis Mission will help prepare for human landing on Mars:

1. The primary focus of Artemis missions from a space radiation perspective is developing the capability to accurately monitor the deep space radiation environment and its effect on the human body. This information will help NASA to design countermeasures and protections for astronauts when they go on farther missions to Mars.
2. The research gathered through Artemis mission aims to examine the risks astronauts will encounter on long missions far from Earth. Additionally, the studies will provide insight into how humans adapt or respond to those risks, and how to develop effective ways to counter any negative effects while they are on Mars.
3. When medical issues arise on Mars, crews will need to deal with them quickly and competently. On trips to Mars, communication delays will require astronauts to address health events themselves using automated technology. NASA will help advance Mars missions by testing in-flight medical capabilities that enable the crew to function with more independence from Earth.
4. The gravity on Mars is about one-third that of Earth’s while that of moon is one-sixth. Astronauts landing on the Moon will have to adapt to the gravity of the lunar surface. During Artemis missions, researchers will be able to verify whether crew members can perform activities inside and outside of their spacecraft without ground support which will further help in understanding the adaptability of human body in such strained conditions.

The artemis mission to lunar landscape will revolutionize our knowledge about the universe and its origin. The mission is a stepping stone to discover the insights of Mars and encourage the upcoming generations to engage more in scientific discoveries.

Question #2. What are the global protocols that regulate the usage of outer space? Also, discuss the unintended consequences of the private players in the space race. 15 marks (250 words)

Approach:

• Briefly introduce with outer space ( 25 words)
• Discuss Global Protocols related to outer space ( 50 words)
• Highlight Unintended consequences of Global space race ( 50 words)
• Conclusion ( 25 words)

Hints:

Outer space is the expanse that exists beyond Earth and between celestial bodies. Outer space is not completely empty—it is a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles, predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, neutrinos, dust, and cosmic rays. The Karman line, an altitude of 100 km (62 mi) above sea level is conventionally used as the start of outer space in space treaties and for aerospace records keeping.

Global Protocols

The treaties commonly referred to as the "five United Nations treaties on outer space" govern the outer space:

1. The Outer Space Treaty-Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. It entered into force on 10 October 1967. India signed the treaty in 1967 and ratified it in 1982.
2. The Rescue Agreement-Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space. It entered into force on 3 December 1968 and is ratified by India.
3. The Liability Convention-Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects. This treaty entered into force on 1 September 1972.
4. The Registration Convention-Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space. Adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 3235 (XXIX), opened for signature on 14 January 1975, entered into force on 15 September 1976
5. The Moon Agreement-Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies. Adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 34/68, opened for signature on 18 December 1979, entered into force on 11 July 1984.

Unintended consequences of Global space race

1. Space Debris-unfettered space race by humans has resulted in an increased space debris revolving in the orbits. This is not just dangerous for the satellites but also manned space stations and missions, life of which can be jeopardized in case of collisions.
2. Exchange of terrestrial micro-organisms-the outer space is essentially vacuum, the to and fro exchange of life from earth to space, specially moon and mars can transfer micro-organism from earth, which can cause adverse and unknown effects
3. Undue load on resources-space programs requires enormous amount of resources; expensive fuel, technology, rare earth minerals, semiconductors among others. Commercialization of the space race is likely to deplete these resources at a far greater pace.
4. Power struggle-dominance for space is likely to trigger a cold war like situations among various nations. Ex China is already planning to mine Helium from Moon surface making entire world nervous.

Conclusion:

The space is a natural resource shard by entire human race, there is a need for sustainable partnership and global co-operation to harness the benefits arising out of space exploration.