What is the main problem with space travel?

Answer 1

Two things only, time and speed. We dont have enough of both to go anywhere.

Answer 2

Main? You should have put "mainS". First: rockets are very delicate and costly, and because we are at the bottom of a gravity well that needs 15 km/sec sped just to reach orbit, the absence of nuclear power means that rockets need a huge fuel fraction mass (this means your fuel weights more that what you are trying to loft in space, and therefore most of your fuel is used to lift the fuel you will need later). Then there is the problem of being in space: distances are huge, and velocity is comparatively low, it would take about a year to go to Mars, that means bring enough food and water and air to last that long and then some, unless you plan on not coming back. And the you have the problem of being in space: micro gravity affect the muscle and bone of astronauts, and once you are out of the protection of the Van Allen belts, you are showered with deadly cosmic rays.
So, depending if you are paying for it, or living it, or anxious to get a mission completed, what you may consider the main problem will vary. But underfinancing would come high on MY list.

Answer 3

I'll have to assume you mean for sending humans into space.
The answer is that its extremely dangerous.
Just to reach earth orbit you must be accelerated to 17,500 MPH ! That's many times faster than a bullet.To leave the gravity of the earth you must go about 24,000 MPH.
Not only that,once you get into space you are in a cold vacuum.There is no atmosphere i.e. no air to breath.You must bring all your breathable air with you.Temperatures run in extremes,from
200 + degrees F in sunlight to -200 degrees F
in the shade.The sun's cosmic radiation is yet another fatal hazard.(the earth is protected by
the magnetosphere).Of course theres no food and water so that also must be brought with you.As you breathe,CO2 must be scrubbed from the air so you don't choke on your own exhalation(this became a real threat to the Apollo 13 astronauts).And lastly,our bodies are not acclimated to the zero gravity environment
and what we've found from long duration space
ventures is the astronauts suffered a frightening
degeneration of bone mass.That's the reason you see astronauts exercising on any mission lasting more than a few days.Did I mention that all of this is extremely expensive???In reading back my answer it sounds like I'm really down on space flight,I'm not at all.I love it with a passion and absolutely believe its as important for man to go into space and the moon and mars and the asteroids as it was for Columbus
to explore new trading routes to the Orient.

Answer 4

the distances involved are astronomical... Oh that is using a question to answer a question... sorry. But the truth is that the distances between even planets is measured in billions of miles.We travel through this space with chemical rockets at best at around 18-25,000 miles an hour. you do the math... the time it will take the Pluto probe to make it to the planet for a fly by is about 7 years. even with the most incredible technology and speeds approaching that of light the closest star is well over 4 years away. these times and distances are not compatible to human exploration and therefore, we will be restricted to earth for a long long time.

Answer 5

Human beings are capable of surviving only on earth, and that too within a certain a range of conditions. So we need an environment that simulates our atmosphere to keep us alive.

The other problem is that of the astronomical cost involved, because space travel is still risky and involves a lot of human and technological resources to even send a few men beyond the realms of the earth.

Then there is gravity, any earthly body is confined by gravity and to break free of it you need to exceed the threshold velocity, also called escape velocity.

So in a nut shell ...the constrains are physiological, economical and technological

Answer 6

If you think about it, we have so few problems with space travel that we take it for granted. Humans have been doing it every day for millions of years.

I personally travel all the way around the sun. Takes me a year to do it.

The only problem we have is that our space ship, Earth, is crowded with a bunch of unfun, irrational, violent and stupid people.

Answer 7

Distance between us and anything in space. And the time spent traveling there in 0 gravity deteriorates muscles so by the time we get anywhere we will be as weak as babys.

Answer 8

First of all, we're at the bottom of a very deep gravity well, so a huge amount of energy is required simply to get into orbit.

Secondly, when in space, astronauts can be exposed to lethal radiation.

And thirdly, bones deteriorate (a process called bleeding calcium) in a zero-gravity environment.

Answer 9

The total absence of an environment that sustains human life . . . you have to take it with you.
One 'little' accident & you are thousands of miles from breathable air & drinkable water.

Answer 10

Too slow to reach places outside the solar system.

Answer 11

In word Money! I think there are very fast ways for reaching planets, but they are so expensive. For instance Antimatter.