Week 9: Space Exploration + Art
This week we explored the intersection of space exploration and art, touching on the earlier developments that have led to a profound impact on our understanding of the universe.
We began by learning about the potential of nanotechnology in space exploration. It was very interesting to connect ideas that we had learned about nanotechnology and art last week to the new material this week about space. An example we learned was about Buckyballs, a form of carbon molecule discovered in a meteorite, has shown to hold helium and other gasses (Lecture Part 1). The potential applications of Buckyballs is to be able to construct durable and lightweight materials that can significantly advance the development of how we build materials for space exploration. This connects back to art as the innovative use of materials and the design of a structure in space is quite important and inspires new forms of artistic expression, namely geometric shapes.
Next we explored many key milestones in space history, starting with the significant impact of war on technological advancements. The creation of the first atomic bomb in 1945 marked the beginning of the space age, driven by a need for superior technology during wartime. The Cold War intensified the Arms Race, leading to the Soviet Union launching Sputnik, the first satellite in 1957 (Lecture Part 2). This event marked the start of the Space Race, fundamentally changing global education and sparking large public interest in space exploration. Following this, some notable achievements include Yuri Gagrin as the first person in space in 1961, and the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the moon (Lecture Part 4).
In recent years, space exploration has shifted towards the private domain, notably with SpaceX’s Dragon becoming the first commercial spacecraft to dock with the International Space Station (Lecture Part 5). This milestone signifies a new era of space travel, as it is an attempt to make it more accessible. We also learned about the potential for asteroid mining and the establishment of space-based fuel depots, enabling longer and more sustainable space missions. This future innovation could also have a substantial impact on the environment as it would prevent the need for traditional ground methods of mining, as well as provide a pathway for the creation of solar power satellites, a potential source of clean energy (Yarlagadda, 2022). The artistic implications for these advancements are profound as they open up new opportunities for creative exploration and expression, continuing the legacy of artists who have been inspired by space.
Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture Part 1.” Bruinlearn. https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-9-view?module_item_id=6671262.
Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture Part 2.” Bruinlearn. https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-9-view?module_item_id=6671262.
Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture Part 4.” Bruinlearn. https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-9-view?module_item_id=6671262.
Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture Part 5.” Bruinlearn. https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-9-view?module_item_id=6671262.
Yarlagadda, Shriya. “Economics of the Stars: The Future of Asteroid Mining and the Global Economy.” Harvard International Review, Harvard International Review, 8 Apr. 2022, https://hir.harvard.edu/economics-of-the-stars/.
[Figure 1] NASA, “Hubble Finds Tiny ‘Electric Soccer Balls’ in Space”
[Figure 2] MOAS, “The Lasting Legacy of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing”
[Figure 3] Explaining The Future, “Future Visions: Asteroid Mining”
In recent years, space exploration has shifted towards the private domain, notably with SpaceX’s Dragon becoming the first commercial spacecraft to dock with the International Space Station (Lecture Part 5). This milestone signifies a new era of space travel, as it is an attempt to make it more accessible. We also learned about the potential for asteroid mining and the establishment of space-based fuel depots, enabling longer and more sustainable space missions. This future innovation could also have a substantial impact on the environment as it would prevent the need for traditional ground methods of mining, as well as provide a pathway for the creation of solar power satellites, a potential source of clean energy (Yarlagadda, 2022). The artistic implications for these advancements are profound as they open up new opportunities for creative exploration and expression, continuing the legacy of artists who have been inspired by space.
Works Cited
Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture Part 1.” Bruinlearn. https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-9-view?module_item_id=6671262.
Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture Part 2.” Bruinlearn. https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-9-view?module_item_id=6671262.
Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture Part 4.” Bruinlearn. https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-9-view?module_item_id=6671262.
Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture Part 5.” Bruinlearn. https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/183769/pages/unit-9-view?module_item_id=6671262.
Yarlagadda, Shriya. “Economics of the Stars: The Future of Asteroid Mining and the Global Economy.” Harvard International Review, Harvard International Review, 8 Apr. 2022, https://hir.harvard.edu/economics-of-the-stars/.
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