Analysis: look up for a grand parade of rockets, comets, meteor showers, people going to the Moon, samples from Mars and much more
2022 was an exceptional year for space exploration with two missions standing out: the James Webb Space Telescope and Artemis 1 to the Moon. These missions heralded a new era and 2023 is set to be very exciting. Space agencies and private enterprise are finding new confidence through collaborations and innovations in orbital and deep space exploration, including a new partnership between the ESA and NASA and engagement with private companies such as SpaceX and Airbus among many start-ups.
Among the activities we can expect through 2023 are announcements about returning people to the Moon, the launch of next-generation rockets for low-cost orbital deployment and a revolution in super-heavy lift rockets. Here are some of the key activities and intriguing celestial events to watch out for in the next 12 months.
New alliances in space
In November 2022, ESA nations, including Ireland, ratified a large 17% budget increase for the agency. Along with a similar budget increase for NASA, both agencies are now in a position to join forces to return people to the Moon, build a Lunar Gateway space-station, and execute a sample-return mission from Mars.
From ESA, artist's impression of Ariane 6 launching into orbit
Private enterprise is now seen as central to success. From this year, NASA plans to double the number of private contracts it awards, especially for Lunar exploration, where it is envisaged that engagement with the Moon will exceed $100 billion annually by 2032. China is not standing idly by either, and commences development this year of its Chang'e 6, 7 and 8 Lunar rovers toward landing astronauts on the Moon in the early 2030s.
Going to the Moon
NASA and ESA are already on their way back to the Moon through Artemis and the Lunar Gateway. The success of Artemis-1 provides the foundation upon which this can happen, with the expectation of four astronauts orbiting the Moon by 2025 (Artemis II) and landing the first woman and person of colour onto the surface by 2026 (Artemis III).
2023 will see announcements of the selection of Artemis II astronauts in February, contracts for a second Lunar Lander (SpaceX is already building a Lunar Lander for Artemis III and IV) and for a Lunar-Terrain Vehicle, and a reveal of the space-suits to be worn by Lunar astronauts. This year also sees announcements by ESA with Airbus and NASA with Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Blue Origin toward the design and construction of the Lunar Gateway.
In an exciting domestic development, Irish company Skytek was awarded the contract last November to develop the flight-support software for the Lunar Gateway. This shows the blobal dimensions to the Lunar program and how Ireland is a contributor.
A new generation of rockets
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From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, RTÉ Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Correspondent Joe Mag Raollaigh on tonight's launch of Virgin satellites
A similar revolution is occurring in Earth orbit such as the launch of more people into space, constellations of satellites and the prospect of hotels in Earth orbit. None of this can happen without new reusable rockets for different sized payloads. For low and medium Earth orbit, SpaceX already have their reusable Falcon9 rocket and have announced an unprecedented 100 launches for 2023. China are not far behind, announcing 50 launches.
Tonight, Virgin-Orbit's Cosmic-Girl Boeing-747, carrying their Launcher-One rocket, will take off from the Spaceport Cornwall, heralding a new era in small rocketry and launching from the UK. The launch is scheduled for 23.45 hours and, weather permitting, the ignition of the rocket may be visible low in the southern sky to counties in the Republic of Ireland on a line roughly from Galway to Wexford.
In March, the ESA will launch the new Vega-C rocket, that will include Ireland's first space-probe, EIRSAT-1. This year will also see the launch of its new heavy-lifter rocket Ariane6 capable of transporting 21 tonnes to orbit, as well as payloads to the Lunar Gateway.
Another heavy-lift rocket set to make its maiden launch in March is Japan's 63m tall H3 rocket, capable of carrying 15 tonnes to orbit at low cost. Blue Origin is set to launch its heavy-lift New-Glenn rocket. It's 98m tall, capable of carrying 45 tonnes to orbit and reusable.
Finally, SpaceX hope to launch their gigantic Super Heavy-lift rocket named Starship in 2023. If successful, this reusable 120m tall rocket will be a game-changer. Capable of lifting 140 tonnes to orbit, it will potentially set the stage for human missions to Mars.
SpaceX Starship launch & booster catch animation 2022
Space and planetary exploration
The James Webb Space Telescope will be 'commissioned' by September 2023. Mindful that the Hubble took several years for its first iconic discoveries, we can anticipate truly spectacular images and discoveries from JWST from 2023 onward.
This year also sees an important development for NASA's Perseverance Rover on Mars. After two years of investigating an ancient lake, it has commenced deploying onto the surface 10 sealed canisters containing samples of Martian soil. Later in this decade an ESA/NASA sample-return mission will collect the canisters and return them to Earth for analysis.
We do not have to wait that long for samples to return to Earth as NASA's OSIRIS-REx, which collected 60-grams of material from the surface of asteroid Bennu in 2020, returns to Earth to deploy its sealed canister of material in September. It then heads off into space again to study asteroid Apophis as it approaches Earth in 2029.
Finally, ESA's flagship space probe JUICE launches on April 5th. This enigmatic space-probe will arrive at Jupiter in 2031 where it will investigate Jupiter's icy moons Europa, Ganymede and Callisto.
From ESA, Juice's Jovian odyssey
From comets to meteor showers
We can expect some engaging celestial events in 2023 visible to the unaided eye, or requiring binoculars at most. Comet ZTF is currently making a once in 50,000 year swoop through the Solar System and will make its closest approach to Earth on February 1st. This is a small comet so how bright it becomes remains uncertain. but it may be seen by the unaided eye or binoculars close to the Pole Star in Northern skies from January 21st.
The moon delivers two spectacles this year. On August 31st, the full Moon will be a combined Supermoon (up to 30% brighter) and a Blue Moon (second full moon in a calendar month). At 8pm on October 28th there will be a partial Lunar eclipse where we'll see Earth's shadow move across the Moon.
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From RTÉ News, report on 2020's super moon
Venus provides two exciting prospects. On March 2nd, it will reside just half a degree (the width of the Moon) away from Jupiter in the south-west sky. This will be beautiful to the unaided eye and spectacular through binoculars whem you'll be able to see Jupiter, its four moons, and Venus all in the same view. On November 23rd, Venus passes behind the Moon in what is called an occultation, again providing a magnificent sight.
Mars is bright orange in the southern sky above the constellations Taurus through spring - you can't miss it! Jupiter will return later in the year, achieving opposition on November 23rd and offering wonderful views through binoculars. Saturn will be also at its most glorious in the southern sky when it achieved opposition on August 27th, but you will need a small telescope to see its rings.
Finally, two meteor showers to look out for this year are the Perseid meteor shower on August 12th and the Geminids on December 14th where you can expect to see one shooting star per minute or better. All you need to do is "look up" and witness the spectacle of shooting stars zipping across the entire sky.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
