What was once the task of space agencies is increasingly taking on private companies: In the September edition of BILD of science, they learn how the commercialization has changed the development of space travel and how the trend could affect research and conquering space.
The first trips to space, the moon landing and the construction of stations in orbit: the early milestones of space travel based on developments by state -worn organizations such as NASA. But that has changed since the turn of the millennium. Companies with economic interests have increasingly found their way into the industry. In the meantime, they have already become important providers and drive springs of innovation – the trend is rising. This development is also referred to with the keyword “New Space”.
In the first article of the four-part title of “Wettstreit around space”, the BDW editor Ralf Butscher first illuminates how far the commercialization has already progressed in space travel and how the trend has arisen. An important goal of private companies such as SpaceX is therefore to achieve high services at the lowest possible costs. Butscher reports on the current successes and innovations in the industry. For example, the development of several usable rockets has started a drop in price in space travel and opened new opportunities. Among other things, the commercialization of space travel could make a decisive contribution to conquering Mars or lead to a tourism boom in space. The author also goes into problematic aspects of development in the article “Space Ride on Order”.
ISS succession and German starters
In the second part of the title theme, BUTSCHER focuses on developments in the construction of future space stations. Because the largest object in space so far in space must be replaced: the international space station ISS is scheduled to stop operating by the end of 2030. The author reports on the current plans for the disposal of the huge structure in orbit and what should come afterwards. Both in the controlled crash of the ISS and in the ideas and concepts for new space stations, private companies play an important role. For example, they tinker on structures that can develop through overpressure, and also for the comfort of well -heighted space tourists, the providers want to take care of the article “What comes after the ISS?” out.
The first two articles of the Titelthemas are rounded off by an interview that BUTSCHER conducted with Stefanos Fasoulas from the Institute for Space Systems at the University of Stuttgart. In it, the expert explains in detail how the entry of private companies has shaped the development of space travel and is now promoting further. According to him, an important aspect is the promotion of research in space. “Anyone who wishes it now receives access to space travel” is one of the core statements of the interview.
In the fourth article, BDW author Alina Wolf then focuses on Germany and Europe. We also create companies in the course of the New Space development. A German space start-up develops rockets with an innovative hybrid drive: it consists of liquid oxygen and paraffin-i.e. candle wax. Others, on the other hand, tinker on 3D printers for use in the weightlessness of the universe or on orbital traffic forecasts to counter the dangers of space. So far, Europe’s investors have been somewhat more reserved than in the United States, but there has never been any movement into the industry, the article “Germans Starter” emerges.
You can read the articles of the title of the title of the Titelthemas “Wettstreit around all” as part of a BDW+ subscription, or you will find in the September issue of BILD of science, which is available in stores from August 22nd.
