A Falcon 9 rocket landing |
The Falcon 9 is having immediate benefits, as well as some long term benefits as well. One of the immediate impacts is the technological services that it is providing by bringing the satellites into earth's orbit. According to Elon Musk, "This satellite, called the SES-10, will eventually sit in a high orbit of 22,000 miles, and provide communication services to all of Latin America," (Grush, Loren). The satellites that the rockets bring up are providing many services not previously accessible to those areas of the world, and it is revolutionizing the lives of people across the world. Another immediate impact is the food and supplies that these rockets are bringing to astronauts in space stations. Those supplies being brought up are helping the astronauts perform to the best of their ability, and keep making new discoveries of their own, to help america, and the world gain knowledge of outer space. One of the long term impacts is how reusable rockets can be used in the future. Like mentioned before, rockets are different from shuttles, but shuttles still use rockets to propel it into space. But, rockets that shuttles use are discarded after one single use. Elon Musk said that "Up until now, practically all rockets have been expandable, so they're basically thrown away once they launch into space. That means an entirely new rocket has to be built for each mission to orbit, (Grush, Loren). So theoretically, the reusable rocket could be used to launch space shuttles. That would drastically decrease the cost of each launch, which means they could improve the space shuttle, and improve space travel for astronauts. Improved space travel could lead to Elon's true goal of reaching mars, as well as many other greatly beneficial space discoveries that have the potential to impact the entire world.
I bet that some people are wondering, what is the point of improving space travel? Shouldn't we put that money to other uses, or worry about any negatives with this invention? There are some people might view this invention as a negative, because the money put into these rockets could be used in other, more important ways. Well, according to CNN, NASA only uses $18.7 billion of the american budget, which is less than 1% of the budget, (Adamu, Zaina). Since SpaceX doesn't receive any government funds, they spend a lot less money than NASA. That means that for a very small amount of money, space innovations like the Falcon 9 are very practical for america, and the entire world. Also, another issue people have with SpaceX in general is that they are not connected to NASA at all. Many would feel like that would improve almost all inventions made by the company, but especially the falcon. That is a problem that I agree with. While the reusable rocket is still in the testing phase, it is still something that could greatly benefit NASA. Also, NASA has the money to greatly help SpaceX with their goal. So, if the two companies were to work together on this reusable rocket, then it could improve so much quicker, and lead to even greater discoveries. I feel that the two companies did work together, then the Falcon 9 rocket, and all the benefits that come with it, would greatly improve, meaning great things for the entire world.
Galileo's Telescope |
This invention reminded me about the importance of the perfection of the telescope by Galileo during the renaissance. Hans Lippershey is the inventor of the original telescope. Galileo, who was fascinated by the night sky, was using Lippershey's telescope, and noticed major flaws with it. So, he designed his own telescope, which laid a pathway to the modern day telescope, as well as changing the world's knowledge of space at the time. In that aspect, Galileo's telescope is similar to the Falcon 9 rocket. The rocket is a perfection of previous rockets used, and is changing space travel possibilities, as well as technology to improve lives around the world. Both inventions had the same effect on society, which is why I think they are similar inventions.
Works Cited
Adamu, Zaina. “Exploring Space: Why's It so Important?” CNN, Cable News Network, 20 Oct. 2012, lightyears.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/20/exploring-space-whys-it-so-important/.
Calderone, Julia. “SpaceX Just Released Incredible New Photos of Its Historic Rocket Landing.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 12 Apr. 2016, www.businessinsider.com/spacex-rocket-landing-ocean-barge-photos-2016-4.
Forbes. “Elon Musk.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 1 Oct. 2017, www.forbes.com/profile/elon-musk/.
Grush, Loren. “SpaceX Makes Aerospace History with Successful Launch and Landing of a Used Rocket.” The Verge, The Verge, 30 Mar. 2017, www.theverge.com/2017/3/30/15117096/spacex-launch-reusable-rocket-success-falcon-9-landing.
Plotner, Tammy. “What Is Galileo's Telescope?” Universe Today, 13 July 2016, www.universetoday.com/15763/galileos-telescope/.
You mention :"Improved space travel could lead to Elon's true goal of reaching mars, as well as many other greatly beneficial space discoveries that have the potential to impact the entire world." Could you relate this to the age of exploration and the goals that travelers in the 1400's had once technology allow them to travel farther?
ReplyDeleteThis invention is similar to the invention of the Caravel ship, which was invented in the 1400s. It improve the sea travel of all of Europe, which allowed explorers to reach the Americas. Without the Caravel, the age of exploration might not have even happened.
ReplyDeleteBerkin, Stephen. “Transit Tribune.” Transit Tribune The Caravel and the Impact of New Technologies on Transportation Systems Comments, 22 Feb. 2013, sites.lafayette.edu/berkins/2013/02/22/the-caravel-and-the-impact-of-new-technologies-on-transportation-systems/
How many test have been done on this rocket? and How many were successful?
ReplyDeleteYou said in your blog "the invention of the Falcon 9, also known as the first reusable space rocket, will have a great affect on your life". Specifically, how could this directly effect my life and the course of my life.
ReplyDelete