From the Moon’s icy exploration of Saturn to a 6-day journey to the Moon, a new golden age of space is beckoning. Here are five of the most exciting space explorations in 2023, according to Asia Times.
Moon’s Icy Exploration by ESAIn April 2023, the European Space Agency (ESA) will launch the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (Juice). This marks Europe’s first dedicated robot mission to Saturn.Juice will reach the planet in July 2031 after a solar system transit.
Juice’s mission will involve entering orbit around Saturn. It will also make several flybys of icy moons, including Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
Afterward, Juice will enter orbit around Ganymede, the largest moon in the solar system. It will become the first spacecraft to orbit a moon of another planet.
Saturn’s icy moons are fascinating due to their subsurface water oceans. Europa, in particular, is considered one of the most likely places for extraterrestrial life.
SpaceX’s Super Heavy StarshipThe first test flight of the Super Heavy Starship is scheduled for early 2023.Starship is the largest spacecraft capable of carrying humans to various points in space. As the most powerful launch vehicle, it can lift 100 tons of cargo to Earth’s low orbit.
Starship is a part of a system that includes the Starship spacecraft (for crew and cargo) and the Super Heavy rocket.
The rocket will lift Starship to approximately 65 km before separating and returning to Earth. The upper part of Starship will use its own engines to propel itself.
DearMoon Lunar ExpeditionThe DearMoon project plans to involve the public in a 6-day journey around the Moon and back. Sponsored by Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa, the project was initially planned for 2023, with the exact date depending on the successful testing of Starship.Through a competition, eight members of the public (and several unspecified crew members) were selected to join Maezawa on the trip. Maezawa will cover all expenses for the participants.
The winners and selection criteria have not been disclosed yet. It is believed that invitees could be accomplished artists or public figures.
Bennu Asteroid ExplorationNASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission is heading back to Earth with potentially up to 1 kg of precious asteroid samples from Bennu, a near-Earth asteroid. If all goes well, it will separate from the spacecraft, enter Earth’s atmosphere, and land in Utah’s desert on September 24.Bennu, with a size of just half a kilometer, holds various intriguing features and valuable metals, including gold and platinum. However, it poses a potential threat to Earth and could impact our planet in the coming century.
India’s Private Space DebutSkyroot Aerospace successfully launched the Vikram-S rocket in November 2022, set to become India’s first private company to launch a satellite.Skyroot’s first satellite launch is planned for 2023. With a focus on cost reduction, Skyroot manufactures 3D-printed rockets in a matter of days.
If successful, this could also provide a pathway for more affordable scientific missions, allowing for faster research progress.