Alumna at Blue Origin worked on the New Glenn rocket that launched into space today – Florida International University

Advancements in Space Exploration and Sustainable Development

Report on the New Glenn Rocket Launch and its Alignment with Global Goals

The recent launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn heavy-lift rocket, carrying NASA’s ESCAPADE mission probes, marks a significant milestone in aerospace engineering. This initiative, aimed at studying the interaction of solar wind with Mars’ magnetic environment, directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9): Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure by advancing scientific research and developing resilient technological infrastructure. The mission’s success relies on the expertise of specialists such as Denisse Aranda, a principal space systems contamination control engineer at Blue Origin, whose work is critical to the integrity of the mission and its broader implications for sustainability.

Engineering for Planetary Stewardship and Mission Integrity

Contamination Control and its Role in Sustainable Space Exploration

The role of a contamination control engineer is fundamental to the success of complex space missions and aligns with principles of responsible environmental management. This field addresses the risks posed by microscopic particulates to sensitive hardware.

• System Reliability: Even minute debris can cause catastrophic failures in high-precision systems like rocket engines and optical payloads operating at extreme speeds and temperatures. Ensuring hardware cleanliness is a direct contribution to building reliable and resilient infrastructure (SDG 9).
• Data Accuracy: For scientific payloads such as deep-space observatories, particulate contamination on lenses can scatter light and corrupt data, undermining the scientific objectives of the mission.
• Mission Safety: Contamination on optical sensors for vehicles like lunar landers can lead to navigational errors, potentially resulting in mission failure.

Planetary Protection: A Commitment to SDG 14 and SDG 15

A critical component of contamination control is planetary protection, a practice that embodies the spirit of environmental stewardship central to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). This discipline is focused on preventing biological cross-contamination between Earth and other celestial bodies.

1. Protecting Extraterrestrial Environments: Measures are taken to ensure that terrestrial microbes, DNA, and other biological materials are not deposited on other planets. This preserves the integrity of these environments for future scientific study, particularly in the search for extraterrestrial life.
2. Safeguarding Earth’s Biosphere: Protocols are in place to manage the return of spacecraft, ensuring that any potential extraterrestrial materials do not contaminate and harm Earth’s ecosystems. This mirrors the global commitment to protecting biodiversity on our own planet.

Fostering Future Innovators through Quality Education (SDG 4)

Beyond her engineering responsibilities, Denisse Aranda contributes directly to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education for young students. Through her volunteer work as a program director for Science Camps of America, she engages in activities designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

• The non-profit provides experiential learning summer camps for middle and high school students from around the world.
• The curriculum includes hands-on projects in aerospace, engineering, geology, and marine biology.
• A key project involves teaching students to build circuits and construct a solar-powered USB phone charger, providing practical skills in electronics and sustainable energy.

Broader Impacts of Space Technology on Sustainable Communities

Contributions to Global Infrastructure and Partnerships

The technological advancements driven by the space industry have tangible benefits that support multiple Sustainable Development Goals. The collaboration between NASA and Blue Origin on the ESCAPADE mission is a prime example of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), showcasing a public-private partnership to achieve ambitious scientific objectives. Furthermore, technologies developed for space exploration are integral to modern infrastructure and support SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

• Global Positioning System (GPS): Essential for logistics, transportation, and emergency services.
• Satellite Communications: Connects communities and provides critical data infrastructure.
• Weather Forecasting: Enables climate monitoring, disaster preparedness, and agricultural planning.

These applications demonstrate that investments in space innovation yield significant returns for humanity, contributing to a more sustainable and technologically advanced global society.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article highlights Denisse Aranda’s commitment to education by volunteering as the program director for Science Camps of America, a non-profit that provides science-related summer camps for middle and high school students. This directly contributes to promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article features Denisse Aranda, a woman in a high-level engineering position at Blue Origin. She is a “principal space systems contamination control engineer” and a “level 5 engineer,” a distinction achieved by less than 5% of the company’s engineers. Her prominent role in a male-dominated field serves as an example of women’s leadership and empowerment in STEM.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The core of the article revolves around advanced industry and technological innovation. It discusses the launch of the New Glenn heavy-lift rocket, the ESCAPADE mission to Mars, and the complex engineering required for space exploration. Aranda’s work in contamination control is a critical part of this cutting-edge scientific and industrial endeavor.
4. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article explicitly discusses “planetary protection,” which involves preventing biological cross-contamination between Earth and other celestial bodies. Aranda’s work ensures that “microbes from Earth and space don’t cross-contaminate,” thereby protecting Earth’s ecosystem from potentially harmful extraterrestrial germs upon a spacecraft’s return.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
   • Aranda’s work with the Science Camps of America directly addresses this target. She teaches students practical engineering skills, such as how to “build circuits, which involves soldering and building a USB solar powered phone charger.” This provides young people with relevant technical skills.
2. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
   • Denisse Aranda’s position as a “principal space systems contamination control engineer” and a “subject matter expert” at Blue Origin exemplifies this target. She holds a significant leadership and decision-making role within a major technology company, demonstrating women’s participation at high levels of the economic and scientific sectors.
3. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending.
   • The entire project described—the New Glenn rocket, the ESCAPADE mission, and the advanced contamination control techniques—is a direct manifestation of enhancing scientific research and upgrading technological capabilities. Aranda’s specialized work is integral to the success of these innovative and complex missions.
4. Target 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.
   • While this target is specific to Earth’s ecosystems, the principle of “planetary protection” described in the article is directly analogous. Aranda’s work involves implementing measures to prevent contamination from Earth microbes on other planets and, crucially, to ensure “germs from other planets” do not “impact the Earth’s ecosystem upon the spacecraft’s return.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 4.4:
   • Implied Indicator: The number of students participating in STEM-focused educational programs. The article mentions Aranda has volunteered for “eight years” at a camp that hosts “students from all over the world,” implying a consistent effort to increase technical skills among youth. The specific project of building a “USB solar powered phone charger” is a measurable outcome of the skills taught.
2. For Target 5.5:
   • Specific Indicator: The proportion of women in senior and middle management positions. The article provides a specific metric: Aranda is a “level 5 engineer,” a distinction achieved by “less than 5% of the company’s engineers,” highlighting her presence in an elite group of experts within the company.
3. For Target 9.5:
   • Implied Indicator: Research and development expenditure or the number of successful advanced technology projects. The launch of the “New Glenn rocket” on the “ESCAPADE mission” serves as a tangible indicator of successful innovation and enhanced scientific research capabilities.
4. For Target 15.8:
   • Implied Indicator: The existence and implementation of national policies and measures for the prevention and control of invasive species. The article describes the “end-to-end cleanliness plan” and “planetary protection measures” as integral parts of the mission. The implementation of these contamination control protocols is a direct indicator of progress.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: news.fiu.edu