What is the most advanced space technology accessible to mankind currently?
I’m infatuated with the idea of space exploration past our solor system, large space stations where true space science can be performed and the scientists can live comfortably, and (don’t laugh… I know we have not discovered life on other planets yet) inter-galactic trade, exploration, etc. How far are we from those types of things? And who would be the world’s leading expert?
Quantum teleportation.
The most advanced space propulsion that we have used is ion propulsion. This type of propulsion allows us to use nuclear power in space.
There have been other ideas, such as a space ship powered by a sail the size of Texas blown by solar winds.
Area 51 probably has it..i gues we’ll nvr know
When you say "Accessible to mankind" there’s an interesting border that can go both ways. Do you mean most advanced ever made? Or most advanced available to civilians?
If you’ve ever seen Star Wars, you may have heard of a "TIE fighter" jet used by the Dark Side? Well TIE stands for Twin Ion Engine. As futuristic as this sounds, there are currently functioning Ion drives being used on current NASA missions. The mission "Dawn" is set to collide with the two largest asteroids in the Asteroid Belt and it has an ion drive engine. Now, it’s not a screaming light speed propulsion device as depicted, rather it’s more like a little puff. It sends ionized particles out the back in large waves to puff the ship in the other direction. That’s all you really need in the vacuum of space. It’s not much power, but it lasts a long time and can be very efficient.
There are things like formation flying programs. A group of three telescope satellites in orbit around earth can arrange themselves perfectly, to create a giant lense that takes pictures that could only otherwise be accomplished by an unlaunchably large single telescope.
Or Nanotubes? Tightly bonded Carbon rings laced together to make space cables and tethers 50,000 times stronger than steel, and lighter than normal rope. This could be used as a cable for the long sought after Space elevator.
But as far away as those are from public use, there are many beneficial Space technologies that you experience every day without realizing it. Your weather repot, or GPS navigator, maybe your cell phone calls, and even the internet you’re using to read this are all based on Space technology.
And there really is no leading expert. NASA is the obvious forefront of Space technology but sadly, it’s high level officers and over payed leaders have degrees in journalism and business. They couldn’t tell the difference between a launch period and a launch window. It’s the thousands of unknown researchers and scientists and engineers working every day to make life a little easier.