Open AccessFive Centuries of Exploration: From Distant Shores to Distant Planets
Author(s) -
Doomen Céline,
Van den Bergh Iwan,
Brabants Jan,
Cops Jirka,
Lambrechts Jonas,
Vanlaer Lucas,
Crosby Norma B.,
Bollen Robrecht,
Vinkesteijn Sebastiaan,
Stulens Thomas,
Aäron Trippaers,
Dillen Yörg
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
space weather
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.254
H-Index - 56
ISSN - 1542-7390
DOI - 10.1029/2011sw000658
Subject(s) - planet , astrobiology , shore , geography , astronomy , geology , history , oceanography , physics
Throughout time humans have been born with the curiosity to explore. Crossing the oceans on Earth to those in interplanetary space, the motivations behind exploration by humanity have not changed profoundly during these last five centuries. Some of the obstacles that were met by the explorers in the past and those that we will encounter in the future are similar, funding issues being one such topic. However, obstacles regarding the environmental conditions that will be encountered in interplanetary space are very different from those found on Earth. Indeed, the space weather that presides in interplanetary space is unlike anything we are familiar with in our daily lives. However, be it an ocean storm or a solar storm, the objective remains the same-to understand and protect the transportation device and the crew against the environment that it will encounter.