Space — frequently described in religious, historical and mythological contexts as physical extension of heaven and the divine — is something humanity has always sought out to reach. But that trip comes with many perils and dangers, so much so that you might question if it’s reasonable to make that journey at all.
“Risk! Risk is our business. That’s what this starship is all about. That’s why we’re aboard her,” said Gene Roddenberry from Star Trek.
In terms of scale, the dangers of space travels are, quite literally, out of this world. NASA has categorized these lethal risks into five core hazards: space radiation, the physical distance from earth, microgravity and gravity changes, isolation and confinement, and hostile closed environments. Astronauts are exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation from galactic cosmic rays and solar particle events, drastically increases the long-term risk of cancer. Astronauts also experience accelerated muscle atrophy and bone loss, cardiovascular deconditioning and vestibular disruptions that cause motion sickness and balance issues upon returning to a gravitational field. They also are prone to sleep deprivation, anxiety, depression and interpersonal friction with their crew mates due to being in such a confined spaced for long periods of time.
Not to mention, the training and preparation the crew does before launch is grueling. The crew will spend hundreds of hours in exact vehicle mockups learning to operate all onboard systems and executing mission procedures. Instructors routinely introduce emergency malfunctions. In preparation for spacewalks (EVAs), astronauts spend roughly 10 hours underwater in massive facilities like the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) wearing weighted, pressurized spacesuits to stimulate microgravity.
However, one might say that not traveling would be a missed opportunity for humanity. Not only due to the educational value space travel provides, but also to its tendency to surmount social hurdles and restrictions. Spaceflight has historically shattered gender barriers in STEM, inspiring diversity and leadership at a global scale by shifting public perception of female capabilities. Like when Soviet cosmonaut and doctor Valentina Tereshkova flew in 1963 and Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983, dismantling the pervasive social narrative of the time that physically and mentally demanding careers were exclusive to men. “A bird cannot fly with one wing only.” Dr. Tereshkova said. “Human space flight cannot develop any further without the active participation of women.”
Another example of space travel enabling social progression is NASA’s “hidden figures,” which were brilliant African-American female mathematicians and engineers that worked for NASA during the Jim Crow era. The intense pressure NASA faced to beat the Soviet Union during the “Space Race” forced the agency to leverage underutilized talent, enabling these “hidden figures” to transition into pioneering roles in computing, management and engineering. And this shared effort required to win the “Space Race” led to further equally, with black and white women being permitted to work together in the same integrated offices.
“To be the first to enter the cosmos, to engage, single-handed, in an unprecedented duel with nature—could one dream of anything more?” Said Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first human to orbit Earth.
The most recent major spaceflight taken place was NASA’s Artemis II crew to the moon. This flight successfully launched on April 1, 2026, sending four astronauts around the Moon and returning them safely to Earth by April 11, 2026. It was a very significant historical moment, as it the first crewed flight to leave low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972 and marked the first woman, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, to travel into deep space and journey around the moon.
Space travel serves as an inspiration to the entire world, As the crew witnessed the far side of the moon, the entire world was watching them from below. What’s most captivated viewers was the humility and emotion spoken by four astronauts speak about their experience. This flight marks a historical and inspiring moment for us all, as their words remind society that this otherworldly and remarkable mission was accomplished by people like you and me. “I found it really refreshing to see how people have followed the mission,” says Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen of NASA and the Canadian Space Agency. “What I have seen has brought me more joy and more hope for our future.”
So while space travel might not be the safest thing in the world (haha), its merit to society is undeniably potent, both for social progress and inspiration. “If you can’t take love to the stars, then what are we even doing?” Said Amit Kshatriya, NASA Associate Administrator.
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