On Thursday February 18, after 480 million kilometers, the Perseverance robot landed on Mars to carry out its mission, to answer the question that everyone is asking:
- Is there life elsewhere than on Earth?
Space has long been a source of mystery and questioning for humanity. Since the 20th century, the conquest of space has become more and more extensive and has an important place among the great powers. During the Cold War , the conquest of space was already an important issue, the United States and the USSR engaged in a merciless duel to go to the Moon. Decades later, a new space race to conquer Mars is born. Among the participants we find:
- United States,
- China, which took the place of the Soviet regime
- the United Arab Emirates.
For these countries it is a question of “improving its capabilities, exploring the universe, investing in future resources and ultimately increasing its political influence and prestige ” as underlined by Chen Lan, an analyst for a site specializing in the Chinese space program.
An expedition driven by scientific and technological ambition
Several factors explain the scientific community’s enthusiasm for the red planet .
- The planet Mars strangely resembles the Earth : rotation speed, size, rock composition are similar. Scientists even believe that 3.5 billion years ago Mars would have been habitable . One of the objectives of Perseverance is therefore to understand why the climate of Mars has changed so suddenly that it has rendered its surface uninhabitable .
- A major challenge of space missions carried out on the planet Mars is the search for life forms . If today the water on Mars is only in the solid or gaseous state, the scientists are categorical: in the past there were basins and rivers. Presence of water and life being linked, it would not be surprising if organisms managed to develop in the past . This would be the discovery of the first extraterrestrial life.
- This mission, carried out in 2021, is also an opportunity to test technologies such as oxygen generators, new means of navigation and communication in order to find out whether or not humanity will be able to colonize Mars in the future.
Space conquest as a source of soft power
“The major space powers want to prove that they can go there because it is the most complex challenge to date” Sylvestre Maurice, astronomer
For the great powers, the conquest of space and the media coverage that accompanies it are a perfect opportunity to increase their Soft power
Each nation wants to prove its technological superiority and drive innovation . Being at the origin of such discoveries can only help to build a positive image of the country .
While the United States remains the leader in this area, China and the United Arab Emirates have not said their last word.
China is today one of the main space powers . In 2019, a third of space launches took place on Chinese territory . In addition to being the first nation to have succeeded in bringing pieces of the far side of the Moon back to Earth, it has succeeded in putting a probe into the orbit of Mars . With a budget of $ 8.4 billion , China is thinking big:
- In 2023 , it plans a partnership with France which should enable the Chang’e 6 mission to collect samples from both sides of the Moon .
- In 2030 , China wants to send robots that will explore the two poles of our natural satellite before starting manned missions in 2036.
- As for the planet Mars, it wants to send an orbiter , a landing platform and a rover there. The Chinese Space Agency hopes to double NASA and ESA to bring samples from the Red Planet back to Earth by 2030.
- The Chinese also want to reach Jupiter and its satellite, Ganymede, with a nuclear-powered space shuttle by 2040 .
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) attaches more and more importance to the conquest of space. Their aim is to encourage scientific vocations in the country and in the Arab world.
50 years after its creation , the country already has an important place in the conquest of space. On February 15, the Hope probe took the first photo of Mars. Its mission is to study its atmosphere in order to better understand the climate .
A space race that reveals a geopolitical issue
The objectives of the space conquest are not only scientific. The hidden side of this frantic race seems much more terrestrial than extraterrestrial . Each nation wishes to monopolize these “territories” and the benefits that this generates.
The advantages are multiple:
• The economic objective is central. The other planets and stars offer rare resources in large quantities such as rare metals (gold, platinum, etc.) or helium, the ideal fuel for nuclear fusion. But space is also a niche business. Space tourism is growing more and more. The Space X company is trying to offer a trip to Mars, the ticket price of which is €500,000 .
Nations seeking to conquer space seek to develop their military might . Having control over such a vast territory would make it possible to control military satellites, making telecommunications even more efficient . China and the United States are also working on the weaponization of space.
If it is clear that the conquest of space is a tool of hard power, the legal question remains in abeyance. Who owns the space ? Can countries exercise their sovereignty there? These are questions that will come up more and more regularly on the international scene in the years to come, because progress will push man ever further in his quest for the unknown .
Go further, more than an objective, a state of mind that ESCadrille Toulouse Junior Conseil maintains.
This space race testifies to the will of Man to progress unceasingly . Beyond being the objective of the great powers , the desire to go further is a state of mind that people and companies cultivate.
Thus, ESCadrille Toulouse Junior Conseil places innovation and perseverance at the heart of its strategy. Wishing to be a driver of change within its environment, ESCadrille launches many innovative projects. The purpose of these is to support our stakeholders in their projects and provide them with an experience in their own right.
This is the essence of ESCadrille On Air, a podcast where people with inspiring backgrounds are invited with whom we discuss topical issues and advice for our listeners .
In the same perspective, ESCadrille presents itself as a pioneering Junior-Enterprise in terms of CSR . By creating a service specifically focused on CSR , and by starting projects with the B3D association, ESCadrille shows a desire to go even further in its commitment to its environment.
If you too share like us, this desire to constantly surpass you then do not hesitate to contact us. Our collaboration can only be fruitful and full of promise .
Article written by MAXENCE RIVOIRE, 2021.