The dream of reaching Mars has become a possibility in recent times.
Our collective advancement of space technology and the jet propulsion systems we use to explore the cosmos has become a focal point for mankind. The moon was our first target, and now, through the efforts of NASA and others, we have set a new target of reaching Mars in the near future.
How could one simple change in color shift the space sector for the better?
How the origins of space exploration have influenced modern society
Our ambitions to reach into the cosmos have affected nearly every aspect of modern-day society.
The launch of the first satellite, Sputnik 1, established the foundation for modern communication systems that have become vital to our society. GPS is now a common feature in most cars and cellphones, thanks in no small part to our early satellites.
And space exploration has even affected the medical science sector on Earth.
Everything from remote monitoring to diagnostic imaging has emerged from space exploration and has served the medical field in ways never thought possible. Innovations like heart pacemakers have made major strides forward thanks to space-related research.
Our ability to study the cosmos has transformed over the last century
Through our remarkable advancement of space-based technology, we have developed a new ecosystem of technology that our ancestors could only dream of.
We can now study “ghost” stars that existed long before our planet, giving us a glimpse into the early happenings in the universe. With the innovative and world-changing James Webb and Hubble telescopes, we are painting a far clearer picture of our galaxy and those that exist in the deepest parts of space.
Jet propulsion has come a long way in a relatively short time frame.
NASA has been able to study the most violent deaths of stars in the earliest periods of time through our astonishing technological progress. They have spotted a wide range of cosmic mysteries that have begun to unravel themselves for us.
A remarkable transformation of jet propulsion technology has allowed us to reach further into the cosmos than we ever thought possible.
The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory opted to make a significant switch in its technology that has made the dream of reaching Mars an actual possibility. How can a simple change make reaching for the stars a little bit easier?
NASA has changed the way we perceive space exploration
In 2012, the NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour navigated the streets of Los Angeles in a significant logistical feat on its way to its permanent home at the California Science Center. But that was just the start. NASA has made remarkable discoveries that have enabled us to understand what keeps the universe together.
NASA also decided to paint its Space Shuttles in a vibrant orange hue, but the change was more than just cosmetic.
It’s actually a case of function over fashion. The now iconic orange color is actually a spray-on foam insulation that is necessary to keep the super-cold liquid hydrogen and oxygen propellants from boiling during takeoff.
Why did NASA make the switch from white to orange
The reasoning given by NASA is that after the first few launches that used a white color to paint the fuel tanks, which NASA thought would protect the space vessel from UV light, they realized the white shade was unnecessary, and actually just added weight to the craft.
The insulation foam NASA then decided to cover the fuel tanks with was white, but turned orange when exposed to sunlight on the launch pad.
With the next lunar mission coming to light in the near future, look out for the iconic orange shade on Artemis when the time comes.