From dream to achievable goal. Space , thanks to the giant leaps made by technology in recent decades, is increasingly becoming a land of conquest . Suffice it to say that in recent months the first space voyages with private citizens aboard have taken place, and it is estimated that approximately a trillion dollars will be invested in the space economy in the coming years . This dizzying growth requires serious reflection on the resources deployed and the impact in terms of pollution that increasingly frequent trips will have. The challenge for the entire sector is to find a way to reconcile economic and environmental sustainability.
SUSTAINABLE SPACE TRAVEL
At the forefront of the search for sustainable solutions is a truly Italian center of excellence: the Italian Aerospace Research Center (CIRA) . This applied research organization, based in Capua, in the province of Caserta, is studying new hybrid and electric propulsion systems for both aircraft and spacecraft. The goal, as Giuseppe Morsillo , president of CIRA, explains to Non sprecare, "is to develop aircraft capable of providing safe yet sustainable travel thanks to hybrid propulsion and then transitioning to exclusively electric propulsion." This is a goal perfectly within the president's reach, according to whom these technologies could also be used for space travel in the immediate future. The horizon they are thinking of is 2030.
READ ALSO: Economic recovery: 3 out of 10 SMEs see sustainability as the key to overcoming the crisis
CIRA
"We at CIRA are involved in the largest Green Deal project, the European Green Pact, and are one of the 10 research centers aiming for zero emissions ." To achieve these goals, CIRA, which has mixed public and private ownership, can count on a team of 220 researchers and 60 technicians, supported by around sixty administrative resources. The facility that hosts them boasts cutting-edge facilities for carrying out the tests necessary to safely fly airplanes, spacecraft, and space prototypes.
SUSTAINABILITY IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
A more sustainable aerospace industry requires more than just green aircraft fueling. The research center is part of the ZEMA – Zero Emission Aviation – group, which aims to eliminate the environmental impact of air transport , not only through the use of sustainable fuels but also by optimizing flight routes and developing aircraft capable of navigating these routes, thereby contributing to environmental and climate protection. Another area of experimentation for CIRA is the development of reusable spacecraft , such as the new Space Riders. These shuttles, as Giuseppe Morsillo explains, will be able to carry a payload of 800 kg into space and return for a total of six missions. This is a significant improvement compared to the standard vehicles currently in service, which can only provide one-way travel.
The photos are taken from Cira 's Facebook page.
"CIRA"'s work is competing for the 2021 Non Sprecare Award, in the "Companies" section. To submit your projects, follow the instructions here.
THE PROJECTS COMPETING FOR THE NON SPRECARE AWARD:
- LombriCOMPOSTiera: the sustainable biocomposter that transforms waste into a resource
- Guppyfriend Bag, the bag that traps microplastics produced in washing machines
- What to do with old eyeglasses and sunglasses. The Lions Club project to donate them to those in need.
Want to see a selection of our news?
- Sign up to our newsletter clicking here;
- We are also up Google News , activate the star to add us to your favorite sources;
- Follow us on Facebook, Instagram e Pinterest.