In 2007 a mathematical equation was developed that predicted the amount of knowledge available for human consumption. In the year 2012 knowledge gathered would be double that to what it was in the year 2000 and in the year 2020 it would start to double exponentially. If this equation still holds up today is uncertain but when observing the ever changing world around me I start to wonder.
Observing the stars glimmering in the night sky I remember a simpler time until a satellite passes overhead and I'm once again reminded of technology ever present and lingering, tracking our every movement and recording every action.. Things that were once only real in science fiction novels are now as real as you and I. When it was first announced that a probe will be sent to Mars to measure atmospheric pressure and gather ground samples we stood in awe of human perseverance and in the endless possibilities technology had to offer. Since then countless rovers have been sent to Mars to linger on the surface of the not so lonely red planet unfortunately every exploration has it's casualties there are three rovers currently active on the surface of Mars. Spirit, opportunity and Pathfinder.
We came we saw we conquered leaving no stone unturned and no bounty left behind. Looking for a home from home we wonder farther into the depths of space. A space probe called Cassini is our new hope. She made a journey all the way to Saturn and is currently in orbit around Titan one of Saturn's moons. It was reported that Titan has the same elements and materials that was needed for the creation of earth (If this isn't a good enough reason to visit then what is?) Cassini took with her a smaller probe named Huygens. Huygens was designed for a very special purpose to land and explore Titan. She touched down on the surface on 30th June 2004. Yes we have prevailed once again one step for man one giant leap for Cassini-Huygens.
Space is literally littered with satellites, probes, telescopes and space stations the final frontier has been capitalized on. Currently there are three thousand satellites orbiting earth and approximately eight thousand man made objects according to NASA. Mankind in all his glory made it possible to set foot on a moon of a distant planet millions of miles away but we did not have the foresight to regulate the objects in our own orbit. The result of this carelessness was conveniently dubbed “space junk” a word made up by NASA to refers to pieces of broken off satellites that crash into each other and leaf a trail of debris.
The implications of space junk can become far greater than we realize. Debris crossing into the atmosphere to large to burn up can cause serious injury and death on a grand scale. We might not be at risk as of yet but ignoring a problem doesn't mean it goes away. Other satellites and man made objects are also at risk because they have limited ability to change direction quickly and although NASA claims they follow each piece of space junk and knows to whom it belongs doesn't necessarily guarantee the integrity and safety of equipment worth millions of dollars.
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