What Is The Future Of Space Travel?

Space travel has fascinated mankind for centuries.  Even hundreds of years ago, mankind has dreamed of traveling to stars and has wondered what out there.

In the 19th century, the famous science fiction writer has written about travel to the moon in his classic sci-fi novel even before such technology has existed.

With the advent of space age, space travel has become a reality starting with the launch of the Sputnik satellite by the Russians.  Thus with this space race has come the famous dog in outer space and the first person to go to space.

With the Cold War, the need to go to the Moon before the other side has risen and the Americans have won the race as Neil Armstrong have walked on the moon in 1969.

Nowadays with the almost tri monthly flights of the reusable space craft “Space Shuttle” and with the construction of the International Space Station by the contribution of the many space worthy nations of the world; space travel have become common place.

Where does the future of humanity lay with space travel?

However, you might want to ask yourself the question:  Where does the future of humanity lay with space travel?  What more can happen? Well, according to NASA sources, the first priority is with advancing the space shuttle.

Although the space shuttle is an advanced spacecraft, basically it still uses the technology of the 80’s and 90’s. Thus with the advancement of the space shuttle, daily flights to Space may even be possible in the future.

This will be very useful for inter-atmospheric flights and it will also allow the future of space tourism to prosper.  The advancement of the space shuttle will allow space tourism to become cheaper to travel to the orbit of the Earth.  It is the reusability of the vehicle that allows the price of space flight to come down.

However, one of the other concerns for the future of the space travel is definitely the ability to do long range flight.  This is an important concern for the future of the space travel, as it is one of the priorities of the NASA and ESA to send a manned spacecraft to Mars as soon as possible.

Although, the probable date for that has been set for 2025, it is hoped with international cooperation such an endeavor can be done earlier.  Of course such a long range spacecraft will require special engines to allow it to traverse such long distances.

Currently on such type of long range engines two main researches and possibilities exist.  The first and the most plausible research is with the usage of Nuclear Propulsion in Spacecraft.  Such propulsion allows years of energy and it is ideal for long range space travel.

However, due to shielding requirements and the difficulties in launching a nuclear capable spacecraft; there are still some wrinkles that need to be ironed out.

The other engine type for space travel is Ionic propulsion. With this method, powerful ionic gases are used in propulsion to propel the spacecraft forward.  This also has lots of wrinkles to be ironed out.

In general, the future of space travel lies in Mars.  Once mankind goes to Mars, establishing a supply base there can be the next priority.  Also with the advancement of the space shuttle, daily flights from Earth to the orbital space stations can become a routine matter.

Perhaps by the year 2050, the best vacation place won’t be Seychelles or Cancun; but it will be rather the “Space Hotel” on the Moon.

Of course, once the dominion of men over our solar system is achieved, then the next target would be Interstellar Space.  For example, the nearest star for us is the Alpha Centauri System.

Once the colonization on Mars is complete, it would be possible for space craft to ferry a transport to Alpha Centauri.   Once you reach Alpha Centaury, then possibilities are endless as all of the galaxy can be the men’s footstool.

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