Whether it’s the removal of the hole in the ozone layer, the development of new electronic devices and systems or the ability to locate resources on Mars, space exploration benefits society in countless ways. These obvious benefits are often what motivate governments to provide funding for national space programs.
Despite these clear benefits, space exploration is a risky business. The vast distances between the planets of our Solar System and the harsh conditions in space pose risks to astronauts’ health. Long-duration space flights expose astronauts to cosmic radiation, high levels of stress and muscle atrophy. They can also lead to problems with the immune system and the loss of bone density, if not managed properly.
While the cost of space exploration is a major barrier, private companies have been able to innovate and lower the costs of satellites, rockets and other equipment needed for missions. The emergence of commercial firms such as SpaceX and Blue Origin has changed the landscape of the industry. Nevertheless, the majority of space exploration is still done by government agencies and their international partners.
Since the first photos of Earth taken from space in 1946, scientists and engineers have made a string of amazing discoveries about our Solar System and beyond. Johns Hopkins has played a role in these milestones, from the creation of the first satellite navigation systems to the deployment of the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid. The Applied Physics Laboratory continues to play an important role in many of today’s most significant space missions, such as the Parker Solar Probe’s exploration of some of the Sun’s greatest mysteries and the New Horizons mission to Pluto and beyond.