Upcoming Space Missions in 2015: Countdown to Exploration

As we step into the year 2015, the world is looking forward to an array of ambitious and awe-inspiring space missions. This year marks a significant milestone in space exploration, with several exciting ventures aiming to push the frontiers of human knowledge and capabilities further than ever before. From missions to Mars and deep space surveys to the deployment of new orbiters, let's explore the fascinating world of space exploration through these upcoming space missions in 2015.

Understanding the Importance of Space Missions

Space missions are not just about expanding the horizons of human knowledge; they also bring together international cooperation, technological advancements, and a sense of global unity. Since the advent of space exploration, missions have played a crucial role in fostering a deeper understanding of our universe and the role humans play within it. From discovering new planets and moons to studying the effects of space on the human body, these missions have consistently redefined our perspectives and opened up new avenues for research and development.

Space Missions to Mars

One of the most significant and high-profile space missions of 2015 involves Mars. NASA and other space agencies are planning a series of missions to Mars, each with a specific objective. These missions are not just about exploration but also aim to lay the groundwork for future manned missions to the Red Planet.

Mission Overview

Mission 1: Mars Orbiter Mission - Launched in 2013, India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) entered orbit around Mars in 2014. In 2015, the mission will continue to gather valuable data about the Martian atmosphere and surface features. The data collected will be crucial for planning future missions, including potential sample return missions. MOM's success has significantly boosted India's standing in the space community and has set a precedent for other emerging space nations.

Mission 2: NASA's MAVEN Mission - Managed by NASA, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission is set to launch in 2013 and is scheduled to reach Mars in 2014. Its primary focus is to investigate the Martian atmosphere and assess its current state and past changes. MAVEN will help scientists understand how Mars lost much of its atmosphere over time, which is crucial for planning future manned missions to the planet.

Mission 3: NASA's InSight Mission - Set to launch in 2016 but heavily dependent on the completion of its development and testing, NASA's InSight mission is scheduled for 2015. This mission will place a lander on the Martian surface to study the planet's internal structure and composition, providing insights into the planet's formation and evolution.

Mission 4: InSight Mars Landing - As part of the InSight mission, a lander is scheduled to touch down on Mars in 2016, but the groundwork for this mission will be completed in 2015. The lander will carry a suite of scientific instruments designed to measure seismic activity, heat flow, and the tilt of the Martian axis, helping to understand the planet's geological processes.

Deep Space Surveys and Exploration

While Mars exploration takes center stage, other space agencies are also exploring the vast expanse of the solar system and beyond. These missions aim to discover new territories, collect data, and pave the way for future exploration.

Mission Overview

Mission 1: ESA's BepiColombo Mission - Launched in 2015, this mission aims to study Mercury, the closest planet to the sun. The spacecraft will be a joint venture between ESA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), featuring two orbiters that will conduct detailed observations of the planet. The mission will provide valuable insights into the planet's formation and evolution, as well as its magnetic field and surface geology.

Mission 2: NASA's OSIRIS-REx Mission - Scheduled to launch in 2016 but with its preparations underway in 2015, NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission aims to return samples from the asteroid Bennu. This mission will study the asteroid's composition and history, potentially providing clues to the formation of the solar system. The samples collected will be crucial for understanding the distribution of organic materials in space and their potential role in the origin of life on Earth.

Mission 3: NASA's Kepler Mission - Although the Kepler mission began in 2009, it continues to provide valuable data on exoplanets in other star systems. In 2015, scientists will analyze the data collected by Kepler to identify new exoplanets, study their characteristics, and potentially determine if they could support life. The mission continues to push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe and the potential for life beyond our solar system.

Completing Orbits and Tartan 2

In addition to these high-profile space missions, other missions and depictions of space exploration are equally important in advancing our knowledge and capabilities. These include the completion of orbits and the Entrepreneurial Space Company's (Everett) Tartan 2 mission, which plans to provide commercial satellite launches and support the development of a spaceport in Ireland. These missions will play a vital role in expanding the commercial and technological aspects of space exploration.

Conclusion

The year 2015 heralds an era of renewed excitement and exploration in the world of space missions. From missions to Mars and deep space surveys to the deployment of new orbiters, these missions are not just about expanding our understanding of the universe but also about pushing the boundaries of human capability and innovation. As we look to the future, these missions will continue to inspire and challenge us, paving the way for further breakthroughs in space exploration.