Interesting Engineering by Matthew S. Williams 11/30/2020
2020s will be a very exciting era for space exploration if the many missions proposed by space agencies and aerospace corporations materialize.In a few weeks, the year 2020 will be over and a new year will be upon us! All around the world, space agencies, the commercial space industry, and public space interests will be sending new missions to space, bringing new instruments online, and plotting the next great leaps.
As always, these efforts are intended to build on previous successes and failures, leveraging the breakthroughs and lessons of the past to push the frontiers of space exploration and science. In the process, they also hope to solve some of the mysteries that continue to dog astronomers, physicists, and cosmologists alike.
While there are far too many missions to cover, a number of them really stand out. Encompassing robotic landers, rovers, orbiters, telescopes, and crewed spacecraft, these missions will explore Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the Moon, Mars, the outer Solar System, and the earliest periods of the Universe.
At the same time, they will gather data that scientists will use to address some of the most pressing and fundamental questions about existence itself. How has the Universe evolved over time? What is the nature of Dark Matter and Dark Energy? Is there life on other planets? Is any of that life located in our backyard?
With all that in mind, let's have a look at what missions are scheduled to take place in the coming decade. Keep in mind that missions that have not yet been approved for funding or are in development limbo will not be included. Here we go!
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