Five Space Missions in 2023 That Will Evaluate Deep Space Technologies

BIS Research

With the success of the Artemis 1 mission by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the inauguration of the James Webb Space Telescope, the completion of China's Tiangong space station, and Space X's new launch, 2022 was an exciting year in the history of space exploration.

With such successful projects, 2023 is expected to be even more enhanced, with various upcoming missions becoming a reality. Scientists are set to explore deep space technologies, escalating space exploration missions in 2023.

This article will briefly explain deep space technologies and upcoming space exploration missions in 2023.

What is deep space technology?

Deep space technology refers to the various technologies and techniques that are used to explore objects and phenomena that are beyond the Earth's immediate vicinity, such as other planets, moons, asteroids, comets, and even other stars and galaxies. This can include spacecraft, telescopes, and scientific instruments, as well as techniques for communication, navigation, and propulsion.

These space exploration technologies are often designed to operate in the harsh environment of space, where they must withstand extreme temperatures, radiation, and vacuum conditions.

The objective of such technologies is to retain the knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of the planetary system and to discover life-harboring potential in space.

Deep space exploration has witnessed great advancement in numerous fields, including energy, environment, transportation, information technology (IT), consumer products, consumer services, and industrial applications.

According to the BIS Research report, the evolving deep space technologies marketwas valued at $7.50 billion in 2021 and is projected to be valued at $1.03 billion by 2032.

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Furthermore, with the increase in the number of missions, huge technological investment, funding by government space agencies, and the emergence of public and private space industries, the evolving deep space technologies market is expected to evolve even more during the forecast period.

Five Major Space Exploration Missions Scheduled for 2023

With the application of future space technology, major space exploration missions are expected to be launched in 2023. Five major missions are:

Jupiter Icy Moon Exploration Mission

The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission is a planned space exploration mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) to study three of Jupiter's largest moons, i.e., Ganymede, Europa, and Callisto. These moons are thought to have the potential to harbor life, and JUICE's goal is to study their subsurface oceans, geology, and potential habitability.

The spacecraft is planned to launch in April 2023 on an Ariane 5 rocket and will arrive in the Jupiter system in 2029. Once it arrives, JUICE will conduct a detailed study of these moons by using a variety of scientific instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and radar, to map their surface and subsurface, study their geology, and search for signs of water and potential habitability. The mission is expected to last for about three-and-a-half years.

JUICE is planned to be the first mission to orbit Ganymede and will be the first to study the subsurface ocean of Europa. The objective of the mission is to determine the potential habitability of these icy moons and answer the question of whether life has ever existed on these moons or not.

SpaceX Starship Mission

The SpaceX Starship mission is a long-term project by SpaceX, a private American aerospace manufacturer and space transport services company, to develop a fully reusable spacecraft system for the purposes of transporting humans and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The Starship spacecraft, which is the upper stage of the Starship launch vehicle system, is being developed with the goal of providing a cost-effective, reliable, and safe means of transportation for a wide range of applications, including satellite deployment, point-to-point travel on Earth, and interplanetary travel.

SpaceX Starship spacecraft is designed to be fully reusable and capable of landing on any solid surface in the solar system after its mission is completed. The Starship system consists of two parts, i.e., the super heavy booster, the first stage that will help to lift the Starship to its initial velocity and altitude, and the Starship spacecraft as the second stage, which will transport the cargo or humans to their final destination.

SpaceX has been conducting a series of test flightsof Starship prototypes to validate its design and capabilities. The aim is to complete its first uncrewed lunar mission by 2023 and a crewed mission to Mars as early as 2024. However, the exact timeline is not confirmed. It is important to note that the development and testing of new technology such as this one always carries a significant amount of uncertainty, so it is possible that the date of the mission might change.

Dear Moon Project

The Dear Moon project is a proposed space mission led by Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa, who plans to fly around the Moon in SpaceX's Starship spacecraft. Maezawa intends to invite 8-10 artists, including painters, sculptors, photographers, musicians, fashion designers, architects, and film directors, to join him on the journey to create artworks inspired by the experience.

The mission aims to demonstrate the potential of space travel for expanding human creativity and inspiring people to think differently about the future of humanity. The mission is planned to take place after SpaceX conducts its first crewed lunar mission and is currently targeted for 2023, but it has still not officially been confirmed by SpaceX.

The Dear Moon project was first announced by Yusaku Maezawa in September 2018, and he stated that he purchased all the seats on the Starship spacecraft for this mission. However, the project is still under development, and its details are yet to be confirmed by SpaceX.

Returning Asteroid Explorer Mission

There have been several asteroid exploration missions that are expected to return to Earth in 2023. Some notable examples include:

• Hayabusa: Developed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Hayabusa was a spacecraft that was launched in 2003 to study the asteroid Itokawa. In 2005, Hayabusa landed on the asteroid and collected samples, and it is expected to return to Earth in 2023.

• OSIRIS-REx: Developed by NASA, Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) was launched in 2016 to study the asteroid Bennu. In 2020, OSIRIS-REx successfully collected samples from the asteroid and was expected to return to Earth on September 20, 2023.

• Hayabusa2: Developed by JAXA, Hayabusa2 was launched in 2014 and arrived at the asteroid Ryugu in 2018. Hayabusa2 collected samples from the asteroid and is expected to return on December 6, 2023.

• DART: Developed by NASA, Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) was a mission to study the asteroid Didymos and demonstrate a technique to deflect the asteroid's path. DART was launched in 2021, and it completed its mission but did not return to Earth. Instead, it got stuck in the asteroid.

These missions have contributed significantly to understanding asteroids and the early solar system. The samples collected by Hayabusa and Hayabusa2, in particular, are expected to provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the solar system.

India's Private Space Launch

Skyroot Aerospace is an Indian private aerospace company that is developing a small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV) named "Vikram-I" and planning to launch it in 2023. The company is focusing on providing cost-effective, reliable, and easy access to space for small satellites through its SSLV "Vikram-I." The SSLV is designed to place a payload of up to 500 kg into low Earth orbit (LEO).

Skyroot Aerospace was founded in 2018, and its co-founders are former Indian Airforce pilots and also Indian Institute of Technology alumni. The company has already test-fired the upper-stage rocket engine and announced the first SSLV launch in 2023. It has signed agreements with many international customers and has received multiple satellite launch orders from companies and research institutions worldwide.

The company aims to make space more accessible to the commercial market and increase the frequency of launches for small satellites, which is currently limited by the high costs associated with traditional launch vehicles. Skyroot Aerospace is one of the many private companies in India, which is trying to enter the space launch market and compete with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), but it is still an early stage for the company, and any information regarding the success of the mission will be known as the date comes closer.

These are some of the major space exploration missions that are expected to be successful in 2023.

What are the major challenges in space exploration missions?

Space exploration missions can be extremely challenging and require advanced technologies, meticulous planning, and a significant investment of time and resources. Some of the major challenges that must be overcome in order to successfully conduct a space exploration mission include:

Cost: Space exploration missions are extremely expensive and require significant funding from governments and private organizations. The cost of designing, building, launching, and operating spacecraft, as well as developing and maintaining ground-based infrastructure and support systems, can be staggering.

Distance and duration: Space exploration missions can involve traveling vast distances and can take years or even decades to complete. This requires not only advanced propulsion systems but also resilient and reliable spacecraft, as well as support systems that can withstand the harsh conditions of space travel and function for long periods of time.

Technical challenges: Space exploration missions require the development and use of advanced technologies, such as powerful propulsion systems, sophisticated scientific instruments, and advanced materials that can withstand the harsh conditions of space. The challenges include but are not limited to, radiation and micrometeoroids, extreme temperatures, high vacuum, and zero gravity.

Risk: Space exploration missions carry significant risks, both to the spacecraft and to the humans or other organisms that may be aboard. These risks include equipment failure, collisions with space debris, and exposure to hazardous environments such as high levels of radiation or extreme temperatures.

Communications: The vast distances involved in space exploration missions make it difficult to maintain communications with spacecraft and ground-based control centers. This requires the use of powerful, advanced communications systems and sophisticated data processing and storage capabilities to relay data back and forth in real time.

Exploration: The main goal of space exploration is to discover new things and answer fundamental questions about the universe. The missions require the development of scientific instruments and tools that can collect and analyze data and samples, even in the most remote and inhospitable locations.

Overall, space exploration is a complex and challenging endeavor that requires a combination of technical expertise, financial resources, and scientific curiosity. It is not just an engineering problem but a scientific-technical-financial problem as well.

How can deep space technology help to overcome challenges in space exploration missions?

Deep space technology can play a crucial role in helping to overcome the challenges of space exploration missions. Some of the ways in which deep space technologycan help include:

Cost: Advancements in deep space technology, such as the development of reusable spacecraft and propulsion systems, can help to reduce the overall cost of space exploration missions. This makes it more affordable for governments and private organizations to conduct these missions.

Distance and duration: Improved propulsion systems, such as nuclear thermal propulsion, solar-electric propulsion, or antimatter propulsion, can help to increase the speed and efficiency of spacecraft, making it possible to travel greater distances and spend less time on a mission. Additionally, new navigation and autonomous systems can help to operate spacecraft with less human intervention, increasing their reliability and durability.

Technical challenges: Developments in deep space technology, such as radiation-hardened electronics and advanced materials, can help to improve the resilience and reliability of spacecraft. Additionally, new technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning can be used to monitor and diagnose technical issues, improve autonomous operations, and assist human operators.

Risk: Advances in deep space technology, such as improved design and testing methods, can help to reduce the risk of equipment failure and other issues that can arise during a mission. In addition, new technologies, such as a swarm of small satellites, can be used to enhance the spacecraft's ability to detect and avoid potential hazards.

Communications: Innovations in deep space communications, such as the development of more powerful and efficient radios and antennas, can help to improve the reliability and speed of communications between spacecraft and ground-based control centers.

Exploration: The development of new scientific instruments and tools, such as spectrometers, cameras, and drills, can help to increase the capabilities of spacecraft and make it possible to study remote and inaccessible locations in greater detail.

Conclusion

Deep space technology plays a vital role in addressing the major challenges in space exploration missions. It enables spacecraft to operate in more demanding environments, travel long distances, and last longer in space.

Furthermore, it helps to increase the scientific return of the mission while reducing costs and risks.

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