Exciting Careers in Space Exploration

July 26, 2011 Leave a Comment
"The Blue Marble" is a famous photog...

Image via Wikipedia

Although the shuttle program recently came to an end, there are still many career opportunities in space exploration. There are actually hundreds of different career options in the exciting and imaginative field. Here is a look at some of the more popular areas.

Astronaut
This is probably the first career that people think about when thinking about space exploration. Interestingly, very few astronauts will actually fly into space. They may be involved in other aspects of the job such as space apparatus or orbiter operation. Many astronauts are also involved with public relations aspects of the program.

Rocket Scientist
These are professionals with backgrounds in areas such as astronomy and physics. As the title implies, these people design, build and launch rockets for the space program. Rocket scientists have strong backgrounds in areas such as math and engineering.

Aeronautical Engineer
Similar to the rocket scientist, aeronautical engineers design many different aircraft other than rockets. These engineers have a wide range of career choices. They can work on aircraft, as well as other forms of spacecraft.

Astrophysicist
People who work as astrophysicists have strong backgrounds and knowledge about universe’s physical properties. These people must interpret large amounts of complex data about the universe and space.

Astronomer
These professionals work within the scientific aspects of the universe with regard to its composition, movement, origin and such. The also study planets, stars and other astronomical objects. Much like astrophysicists, these scientists also gather and interpret data about the universe.

There are many other career options for anyone looking for an exciting job in space exploration.

Filed Under: General, Universe Tagged With: , ,

The Mars Rover Exploration Mission

June 18, 2011 Leave a Comment

In 2003, NASA embarked on a mission to explore the planet Mars with the use of two land rovers. The primary purpose of the mission was to analyze the past presence of water on the red planet and to see if any water was currently present. The rovers would collect pieces of rock and use specialized equipment to analyze the material. This information would then be sent back to NASA scientists on Earth.

Artist's rendering of a Mars Exploration Rover. 

Image via Wikipedia

When the rovers landed on Mars, they were deployed from the ship in two different places. One rover was deposited at Gusev Crater and the other was deposited at Meridiani Planum, which was on the opposite side of Mars. Scientists thought this was the best way to get an accurate sample of the rocks and minerals on the planet.

Rover Analyzing Equipment

Both of the rovers were equipped with highly-specialized equipment for the collection of specimens and exploration. Here is a list of some of the equipment.

  • Panoramic camera.
  • Microscopic imager for close-up photos of rocks and minerals.
  • Tools for rock abrasion. This is so the rovers could remove dust and other particles so that they could examine things better.
  • Spectrometer tools to measure thermal emissions and take x-rays.
  • Magnets to collect dust particles that are magnetic.

There was no set ending date for the Mars Rover Exploration Mission as of 2011, and the land rovers will probably never be collected. This was also not the first attempt to explore Mars. Some previous rovers have disappeared or lost contact with Earth for various different reasons. The whole exploration of Mars is going to be a slow process.

Filed Under: NASA, Planets Tagged With: , ,

The Beginnings of Exploration

May 8, 2011 Leave a Comment
nasaact.jpg 

Image by Rhubarble via Flickr

It was an age of curiosity — the continents had all been found; the miles had all been sought; and Earth seemed far less impressive than the previous centuries had claimed it to be (with explorers afraid to travel to its edges, certain they would tumble into oblivion). Land no longer held a fascination for the masses. The sun instead appealed, and men looked to the sky for answers to their many questions.

The year was 1958 and space was deemed a challenge to be conquered.

Such a challenge — of course — demanded action; and July 29 saw the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space Act.

Explained simply, the National Aeronautics and Space Act sought to redefine the terms of exploration. Until this time the military controlled all operations regarding the planets; but their influence was too limiting, seeking only ways to develop combat technology (which was deemed far less beneficial to the quest for galaxies). Change had to occur — and it did.

Through the passing of this stature (signed without hesitation by President Eisenhower) separate funding was offered to the cause of the universe; and from this funding rose the beginnings of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration: more commonly called NASA. This sparked the creation of new programs — all with the intention of developing ways to enter the atmosphere and discover what waited beyond.

That intention succeeded: in 1969 man walked on the moon.

Since then the efforts of the National Aeronautics and Space Act have resulted in technological advancements and planetary achievements. These are poised to continue in the years to come.

Filed Under: NASA Tagged With: , ,

NASA exploratory projects

March 16, 2011 Leave a Comment

NASA exploratory projects  - The term NASA refers to National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which is a space investigation executive branch agency of United States Government. NASA was established on 29th July, 1958 by the National Aeronautics and Space Act, replacing the previous one named National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NASA), and NASA became functional on 1st October 1958. The science of NASA is mainly focused on the way to understand our earth more through the help of earth understanding system. The present strategy of United States of America about space shows that NASA will make economical automatic as well as human-aided plans for the development and explorations with the help of space systems for civilians in order to advance our fundamental information about the earth and the other parts of the universe.

The new coming projects of NASA involve a deep survey of Saturn and Mars. As a large and improved laboratory or branch of NASA, they are manufacturing a Laboratory of science for Mars and most probably will be launched in year 2011 as a result of postponement caused due to some hardware problems else it was supposed to be launched in October 2009. NASA is mainly focused to understand more and to protect our planet Earth and to explore the universe in search of different life forms along with providing an inspiration for the next generation of explorers. The highest post held in NASA is the administrator of NASA and holds the power to serve the president as the senior space science advisor. NASA has also started Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation Program as an agency wide program to reduce energy utilization and water pollution, which is in the welfare of mankind. Thus, NASA is contributing a lot in the world of exploration of life and other significant explorations of the universe and also facilitates the new explorers a path to move on with.

Filed Under: NASA Tagged With: , ,
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