2023 is a year full of challenges and opportunities, and space exploration is no exception. In this year, mankind has made many major progress and breakthroughs in space, showing the exploration of the unknown and the vision of beauty. Let's take a look back at some of the key events of space exploration in 2023 and see what humans have done in space.
Mars Live
On February 18, 2023, NASA's Perseverance rover successfully landed in Jezero Crater on Mars, opening the exploration of Martian paleontology and geology. The landing was the most complex and precise in history, and the first time that HD** and audio were transmitted back to Earth, allowing people around the world to witness the sights and sounds of Mars with their own eyes. This Mars livestream has sparked global attention and enthusiasm, with many people sharing their views and feelings through social media and online platforms. NASA also invited some celebrities and influencers to participate in the Mars live broadcast, such as the famous scientist and author Stephen Hawking, pop singer Taylor Swift, comedian Alan Dejenies, etc., adding to the interest and influence of the Mars live broadcast.
Lunar base
On April 22, 2023, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) announced a historic cooperation plan to establish a permanent human habitation base on the moon, called the "Moon Village". The purpose of this program is to promote international space cooperation, improve human scientific and technological capabilities on the Moon, explore the resources and potential of the Moon, and prepare for future deep space exploration. The plan is expected to begin in 2024, with unmanned spacecraft and robots first selecting a suitable location in the south pole region of the moon, and then gradually building and expanding the facilities and functions of the lunar base, and finally realizing long-term human living and working on the moon. This program has received the support and participation of many countries and organizations, such as Russia, Japan, India, Brazil, the United Nations, etc., and is considered to be the most daring and forward-looking project in the history of human space exploration.
Space tourism
On June 12, 2023, the world's first space hotel, Voyager, officially opened, welcoming the first space tourists. Jointly developed and operated by the U.S.-based company SpaceX and Space Adventures, the space hotel is located in low-Earth orbit about 350 kilometers above the Earth's surface and can accommodate 16 guests and four staff members. This space hotel features a panoramic picture window that allows guests to enjoy stunning views of Earth and space, as well as space experiences such as space walks, space farms, space yoga, and more. The space hotel is not cheap, with $250,000 per person per night, but that hasn't stopped the space tourism boom, and it is reported that bookings for this space hotel have been lined up until 2025.
Solar storms
On August 10, 2023, the Sun experienced a rare and strong coronal mass ejection (CME), which sprayed a large amount of high-energy particles and electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the Earth, triggering a severe solar storm. The impact of this solar storm on the earth is two-sided, on the one hand, it has caused the paralysis and interference of communication and power systems on a global scale, bringing great difficulties and losses to human life and work;On the other hand, it also creates a spectacular aurora show, allowing people in many regions to enjoy the brilliant colors and wonderful shapes in the sky. The solar storm has also brought some challenges and opportunities for space exploration, for example, some satellites and space stations in orbit have been affected by radiation and need to be protectedSome missions to Mars and asteroids use the power of solar storms to accelerate their flight speed and orbit adjustments.
Asteroid exploration
On October 16, 2023, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Hayabusa2 probe successfully collected samples from the surface of the asteroid Ryugu and returned to Earth orbit, completing the world's first mission to bring samples back from an asteroid. These samples will provide valuable information for human research on the formation and evolution of asteroids, as well as the origin and history of the solar system. This mission also demonstrated Japan's advanced technology and innovation capabilities in the field of space exploration, and won the praise and respect of the international community. In addition, NASA's Osiris-Rex probe successfully collected samples from the asteroid Bennu in the same year and plans to return to Earth in 2024, adding more asteroid knowledge and resources to humanity.
Space Military
On December 25, 2023, the U.S. Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) announced a major announcement, that is, the successful launch of a military satellite called "Star Eye" to monitor and defend against potential threats in space. The satellite is the newest member of the U.S. Space Force and the world's most advanced space reconnaissance and anti-missile system, with powerful radar and laser capabilities that can track and intercept any target in space in real time, including enemy satellites, missiles, spacecraft, and more. Some countries and organizations believe that this is the US military expansion and hegemony in space, which threatens the peace and security of space, and call for the formulation and observance of space laws and space treaties to prevent the occurrence of an arms race in space and a space war.