Porche in Space Exploration
Known for its sports cars and for being a luxury car brand, Porche, a German automobile manufacturing company, has expressed interest in the realm of space exploration: Porche has taken a notable interest in the utilization of 3D printing for advancing space exploration as they are adapting novel 3D printing technologies to enhance Porche vehicles, through additive manufacturing, and provide spare parts to classic vehicles that were perilously unavailable.
Moreover, Porche SE has invested in Isar Aerospace, a rocket startup company in Germany that plans to send payloads to low Earth Orbit (LEO). They have contributed $75 million to this ambitious start-up that is directed at space exploration, indicating their interest in the journey of space exploration. Isar is also known as a European space exploration company that aims to compete against Space X, prized for making the most powerful rocket in the world that is called the Starship, and Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’s company. This illustrates that Porche is ready to support European space exploration endeavors and help compete with other privatized space exploration companies that aim to bring the wonders of space closer to reality.
Overall, it is clear that Porche desires to be part of the future of space exploration because of the vast innovation that is being cultivated in the field of engineering for space exploration; moreover, Porche gets a chance to invest in privatized space exploration companies and become a part of their future success as they bring humanity closer to space.
Can Aerospace Engineers Bring Automobiles to Space?
Elon Musk, known for being one of the richest people in the world and for owning Space X, is also recognized for sending a Tesla model car into space. As amusing as this may be, the real question to be explored is whether aerospace engineers can bring automobiles to places like the moon and possibly even Mars.
In the near future automobiles in space will not just be a fragment of science fiction: aerospace engineers can create the reality of automobiles in space through their innovation and expertise. NASA’s aerospace engineers are working on developing a concept of a Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV) that can travel on the surface of the Moon and even the surface of Mars.
The Surface Exploration Vehicle (SEV) is designed with a pressurized cabin mounted on a wheeled chassis, allowing astronauts to explore various terrains on planets. This setup permits them to traverse different landscapes and undertake extended journeys without the constraints of spacesuits. Notably, the SEV boasts features like pivoting wheels for enhanced maneuverability and a tiltable cockpit for better visibility, ensuring optimal exploration conditions. Its modular design enables the attachment of specialized tools and equipment, catering to specific mission requirements.
On the other hand, the in-space version of the SEV involves a pressurized cabin affixed to a flying platform, serving as living quarters for astronauts for up to 14 days. Equipped with robotic manipulators and supports, it facilitates object manipulation tasks and easy access to space, thereby maximizing astronauts’ efficiency during spacewalks.
In terms of functionality, the SEV must accommodate a crew of two, expandable to four in emergencies, and achieve a speed of approximately 10 kilometers per hour. Its wheels are capable of pivoting 360 degrees, enabling omnidirectional driving.
The SEV’s objectives extend beyond mere exploration. It aims to extend exploration range, shield astronauts against solar radiation events, facilitate swift ingress and egress for spacewalks, enable intra-vehicular activities, and feature a docking hatch for seamless transitions between vehicles or habitats. Additionally, advancements in SEV battery technology hold promise for improving transportation efficiency on Earth, potentially benefiting various terrestrial applications such as electric vehicles and off-road equipment.
Citations
[1] Building a New Future Thats out of This World, www.porsche.com/stories/innovation/building-a-new-future-thats-out-of-this-world. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.
[2] Is Porsche Going to Space?, www.autoweek.com/news/technology/a37162065/is-porsche-going-to-space/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2024.
[4] “Porsche SE Invests in European Rocket Launch Start-Up.” Www.ft.com, www.ft.com/content/1aa1e1cd-46ae-4a72-b3ab-c6bbbdbd2951. Accessed 30 Mar. 2024.
[5] Space Exploration Vehicle Concept NASAfacts.
(https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/464826main_sev_factsheet_508.pdf)