Space Life Magazine

Rocket around the Asteroid

Sometime in the next ten years, NASA could be sending astronauts to a Near Earth Object like an asteroid. The spacecraft that could take the astronauts to an asteroid most likely would be the Orion spacecraft, which is the successor to the Shuttle. According to experts, such a voyage would be extended, far beyond the scope of the Space Station and the Moon.

NASA has theorized that such a journey would take 90-120 days with a one or two week long stay at the asteroid. Although astronauts have extended stays at the Space Station, this flight would be much different. Two or three astronauts may fly to the object. Once there, they probably will use some sort of jet pack to land on the surface. There they will obtain rock samples and could explore the possibility of water or any other resource.

One can imagine what it might be like to be one of those astronauts jetting around an asteroid, traveling through space. Despite the advancements that will be part of the Orion spacecraft, personal space for each astronaut will be tight. Also, the excitement of being the first humans to go beyond the Moon will undoubtedly be a factor for every person on the mission. Since the asteroid probably has loose dust, rock and craters, it would be too dangerous to land the spacecraft. The astronauts will have to use a jet backpack or even do a spacewalk to the surface. These space exploration techniques take a lot of training and optimum physical strength. The men and women of the mission also must be careful– there is no turning back to Earth quickly. They will have to be highly adept at multiple tasks like first aid, mechanical repair, astronomy, scientific experimentation and more. They must be capable of mentally and physically withstanding months of zero to very low gravity. Even more importantly, the Near Earth Object mission astronauts must love adventure and exploration. Imagine space, far from Earth, near Mars, beyond the Moon. They will see the far-off light of ancient and fledgling stars. They will see the distant glow of home and the mother-star, the Sun.

Of course, there will be plenty of science. The astronauts will collect rock and dust samples from the asteroid. Close observation will be critical to finding evidence of water and the possible trajectory of the asteroid through space. After all, one of the goals of such a mission is to determine the threat posed by Near Earth Objects. They will need to comb the surface of the asteroid for debris and samples and explore the craters and determine the size of the asteroid. When the asteroid exploration segment is complete, they will take the long return journey home and reflect on all they will have seen and all there is yet to learn from the pieces of space they will bring back.

Whatever the result of such a mission to an asteroid, the trip to Mars will seem just a little less out of reach. NASA may return to regular Moon missions. The International Space Station could become a regular destination for the expansion of human endeavors. Catastrophic collisions with other asteroids could be avoided. (After all, one theory is that an asteroid crash caused the sudden demise of the dinosaurs.) The trek into space will continue with missions like the Near Earth Object mission. New inventions will develop from the needs that will arise in the planning process. Undoubtedly new dreams will manifest. Space is the vastest frontier.

Categories: Astronauts