Science and Technology

The worlds of science and technology received a sign of how their fields may develop and progress into the future with the successful launching in March 2010 of a privately owned and developed rocket. Individuals involved in privately funding advances in technology and science have commonly expressed an interest, since the beginning of the Space Race, in whether it would be practicable for groups other than publicly-funded government agencies to invest profitably in space exploration. Hopes that this goal could be plausibly and practically accomplished were lifted by the news of the successful launch sponsored by the firm Space Exploration Technologies. The launching involved a rocket known as a Rocket 9 on a launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Though the rocket was not in fact launched into the area, but rather had its engines test-fired while remaining stationary, it sends an encouraging message concerning this area of science and technology following an unsuccessful test-firing that took place earlier in the week. With the technology and science involved in the ambitious venture represented by space launches under a firmer grip by the company, Space Explorations Technologies, also known as SpaceX, hopes to launch an actual spaceship later in 2010.

Increasingly, the American government has been turning over its involvement in the science and technology of space exploration over to privates firms such as SpaceX, with hopes of thereby addressing budgetary constraints hampering NASA’s own efforts. In addition to the Falcon 9 rockets, SpaceX is also developing technology and science for resupplying the space station using so-called “Dragon” capsules. The contracts the company hold with NASA for doing this work come to $1.9 billion, and the public funding of private ventures in this technology may increase under a proposal made by President Obama to add $6 billion to NASA’s budget earmarked for the development of space science and technology with privately-owned companies. Though notable in this area of public and private cooperation, SpaceX is not alone among private firms in the range and size of its contract. Comparable funding has been awarded for the firm Orbital Sciences Corp, which from its headquarters in Virginia has been working on a system known as the Taurus II-Cygnus.

Despite the recent success in testing the Rocket 9, SpaceX still sees further steps ahead in developing the practical use of the technology and science it has developed before it can be employed for private space launches. Paid passenger service into space still awaits realization until delivery systems such as the Rocket 9 can be modified to be fit for on-board passengers. Similarly, the science and technology that lies behind the Dragon 9 capsules are still in development to the point where they can be enabled with a launch escape system. Further developments in this area of technology and science hold significant implications for the ability of private firms to engage in large-scale and risky scientific ventures such as space exploration, and as such will impact heavily on individuals with professional interests in the aerospace field.