As the technology of human spaceflight continues to develop, it’s possible that a successful “soft landing” on a planet or other cosmic destination will become a reality one day. Soft landings refer to the idea that astronauts would be able to descend to their ultimate destination without the need for hazardous and complicated parachutes or deceleration rockets. Instead, a spacecraft would be released and components like an onboard guidance system, flexible heat shields, and several fuel tanks would be used to determine an efficient and safe trajectory that could land an astronaut on the surface without the danger of an uncontrolled descent.
The concept of a soft landing, while not completely feasible today, is beginning to look much more likely due recent innovations in space technology. Thanks to SpaceX, a private aerospace manufacturer, spaceflight is much more accessible than it has ever been. Through the application of serveral new technologies, including reusable launch vehicles, improved orbital communications, and better computing, traditional obstacles to successful space exploration are being mitigated gradually.
In addition, several other aerospace companies have developed methods and innovations that make potential soft landings much safer. For example, Orbital ATK, a company founded in 2015, has created a type of airbag landing system that can be used to bring an orbiting space vehicle to a landing, reducing the need for parachutes from several hundred feet in the air down to merely a few feet.
Even with the recent advancements in space flight, a reliable and safe soft landing will still require more time and resources to materialize. With continued advancements, however, especially in spacecraft and instrumentation, a soft landing could soon become a reality as soon as the year 2020 or 2021. For now, we can only stay tuned and hopeful as the technology continues to develop.
“Welcome Aboard! A Soft Landing Ahead!
