2024 Space Race: Global Space Exploration Status
Japan’s Historic Moon Landing Marks Milestone in Space Exploration
Japan recently achieved a significant milestone in space exploration by successfully landing a space probe on the moon. This historic event not only places Japan as the fifth country to accomplish such a feat but also officially brings the nation into the space race. Let’s take a closer look at where Japan stands in space exploration in 2024, along with the other four leading countries: the United States, Russia, India, and China.
The United States
The U.S. has an exciting lineup of rocket launches and missions planned for 2024. NASA, for instance, is gearing up to launch the Europa Clipper spacecraft in October. This mission aims to determine if Jupiter’s moon Europa can support life within its icy ocean. The spacecraft is expected to orbit Europa by April 2030.
SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, is also making strides in space exploration. The company is working on its flagship spacecraft, Starship, with the goal of sending the first human to Mars. Additionally, SpaceX plans to transport astronauts to the International Space Station, although the exact launch timing is yet to be confirmed. The crew, consisting of military professionals and government astronauts, will spend 14 days on the station.
Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, two other prominent aerospace manufacturers and spaceflight companies, are also set to take people to space in 2024. Virgin Galactic’s most recent flight took place just last Friday.
Russia
Russia has an ambitious schedule of at least 13 rocket launches planned for 2024. The first launch is scheduled for February 15, transporting cargo to the International Space Station. On March 21, 2024, Russia will send a three-person crew to the ISS. The country also has plans to launch multiple satellites throughout the year.
China
While China has not yet released its official space plans for 2024, it achieved a personal record of 67 launches in 2023. The country has confirmed its intention to launch an unmanned lunar mission in the first half of 2024, collecting samples from the far side of the moon and returning them to Earth. China also aims to become the second nation to land humans on the moon by 2030, following in the footsteps of the United States. Furthermore, China has aspirations to establish a space research lab on the moon.
Other notable missions in 2024 include crewed flights Shenzhou 18 and 19, as well as cargo missions Tianzhou 7 and 8 to the Tiangong space station.
India
India made its mark in space exploration last year by landing its first spacecraft on the moon, becoming the fourth country to achieve this feat. Building on this momentum, India has planned 12 additional missions for 2024. The country aims to send its first crewed spacecraft to space in early 2025.
Among India’s plans for this year is a test flight with a humanoid robot, a Mars orbiter mission to study the red planet’s surface, atmosphere, and climate, and potentially a Venus orbiter mission to explore what lies beneath the planet’s scorching surface. India has already launched a satellite this year to investigate cosmic X-rays and is expected to conduct six Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle missions in 2024.
Japan
Japan’s major endeavor for 2024 is the launch of its Martian Moon exploration mission. The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency plans to send a spacecraft to orbit around Mars’ moons, Phobos and Deimos, with the objective of unraveling their origin. Although the launch date has not been officially announced, it is anticipated to take place in September. Earlier this year, Japan achieved its first lunar landing, solidifying its position as the fifth country to accomplish this remarkable feat on January 19.
What are China’s plans for space exploration in 2021?
Rocket launches in 2021. China has been actively pursuing its space exploration agenda and aims to become a major player in the field. The country has successfully landed rovers on the moon, with the latest being the Chang’e 5 mission, which collected lunar samples and returned them to Earth.
In addition to lunar missions, China is also focusing on Mars exploration. The Tianwen-1 mission, launched in July 2020, successfully reached Mars orbit in February 2021. The mission includes a rover that will soon be deployed to the surface of the red planet to conduct experiments and gather data.
China’s space program also includes plans for a space station, with the core module Tianhe launched in April 2021. The space station, named Tiangong, is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 and will be capable of accommodating three astronauts for long-duration missions.
India
India has made significant strides in space exploration in recent years. The country’s space agency, ISRO, has successfully launched multiple satellites and missions, including the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission in 2019. Although the mission did not land as planned, it still provided valuable data and insights.
In 2024, India is set to launch the Aditya-L1 mission, which aims to study the sun and its corona. This mission will help scientists better understand the solar atmosphere and space weather events that can impact Earth.
ISRO is also planning a manned mission to space, called Gaganyaan, targeted for late 2022 or early 2023. This will be India’s first human spaceflight mission, showcasing the country’s growing capabilities in space exploration.
Overall, Japan’s recent moon landing marks a significant milestone in space exploration, positioning the country as a key player in the global space race. With the United States, Russia, China, and India also making strides in space exploration, the future of space exploration looks promising. As advancements continue to be made, we can expect to witness more groundbreaking achievements and discoveries in the years to come.
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