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Student: Sherman Ip
Personal Tutor: Prof Mike Barlow
How Does Space Travel Benefit The Scientific Domain?
In 1959 the Luna 1, a small spherical spacecraft, was the first man made object to escape the
Earth’s gravitational field and orbits around the Solar System.[1][2] Just 10 years later in 1969,
the Apollo 11 mission to the moon was successfully and 3 astronauts walked the moon.[3] This
shows that the rapid growth of technology enables humans or man made objects to travel into
space much more easier for whatever purpose, for example research, experiments or even
tourism. This essay will discuss the benefits of space travel to the scientific domain.
Exploration of the solar system allows us to know other planets or natural satellites in more
detail and depth. Other planets have similar properties to the Earth but slightly altered so
other planets can be used as a model of the Earth in a different situation.[1] For example,
Venus is known as the ‘Earth’s twin’ because of the two planets are similar in terms of size.[4]
However, the main difference is that the temperature is significantly different as a result
of Venus being closer to the Sun and being heated up by a thick layer of carbon dioxide
trapping the heat in, otherwise know as the greenhouse effect.[1][4] The laws of physics applies
anywhere in the universe, so our understanding of the greenhouse effect can be transferred
to Venus.[1] Therefore, by studying Venus directly, from obtaining raw data from the planet
by using satellites, our understanding of the greenhouse effect in different environments will
strengthen. Consequently, this will contribute and help our own problem of global warming as a
result of the increase of greenhouse gases back on Earth and this may even find solutions to our
problem of global warming.
Other planets have significant features which are not available on Earth, these features can be
used to test physics theories. In 1997 the Cassani-Huygens spacecraft was launched to orbit
Saturn in 2004.[1][5] While orbiting Saturn, the spacecraft sent back many images of Saturn
including Saturn’s rings, made up of pieces of dust, rocks and ice.[1][6] A close examination of
Saturn’s rings reveals a gap in the rings, known as the Cassini division.[1] The division is evidence
of orbital resonance which is the result of one of Saturn’s moon, Mimas.[1] Mimas orbits outside
the rings and takes twice as long to complete an orbit on Saturn compared to some particles
in the ring at a certain distance.[1] This means that some particles in the ring will line up with
Mimas for every completed orbit Mimas completes.[1] As a result the particles in the ring will
receive a small gravitational impulse or ‘pull’ towards the moon and hence there is a gap in the
ring.[1] By finding unfamiliar problems on other planets, physicists can apply the laws of physics
to these problems to not only find solutions but to see and test if these laws work in different
environments and situations.
In conclusion, planets and natural satellites in the solar system have so many varied features
and environments that they are significantly useful for scientists to conduct experiments and
test theories with. These results will be useful back on Earth as other planets and natural
satellites are a good model for our own planet and moon.
Word count: 539
Bibliography
1. Brian Cox & Andrew Cohen
2010 - Harper Collins Publishers
Wonders of the Solar System
2. Luna
http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/L/Luna.html
3. Apollo 11
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo11info.html
4. NASA - Venus
http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/venus_worldbook.html
5. Cassini Solstice Mission: Introduction
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/introduction/
6. NASA - Saturn
http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/saturn_worldbook.html