We have all accepted the fact that technology is developing at an unbelievably fast pace despite the many crises in the world today. So much so that the ‘groundbreaking’ innovations we see nowadays, especially in the promotion of smart phones or computers, can regain their old status within a year.
While the situation is temporary in consumer electricity innovations, the effect of this rapid development is permanent when it comes to science. In this context, scientific research centers can access higher-level equipment with the development of technology, which allows them to take one more solid step in their field. Now let’s take a look at a few of these prominent research centers.
World’s leading research centers:
- NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- ISRO: Indian Space Research Organization
- SPACEX: Space Exploration Technologies Company
- Blue Origin: Aerospace Exploration Company
- ESA: European Space Agency
- CERN: European Nuclear Research Center
- LIGO: Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory
- ESO: European Southern Observatory
Everyone’s name is ubiquitous, widely known for its space exploration: NASA
- Headquarters: Washington, DC, USA
You may know NASA for the space missions it has accomplished or will perform, and its depictions in the world of cinema. NASA, which forms the basis of the space studies of the USA, still carries out long-term projects in the fields of aviation and space.
In this context, the company not only manufactures rockets and sends them into space, but also conducts space exploration. Among the company’s current projects is the Artemis Program, which aims to bring humanity back to the Moon.
What most people are unaware of, but which makes India one of the most ambitious countries in the space race: ISRO
- Headquarters: Bangalore, India
ISRO, which can be translated into Turkish as Indian Space Research Organization, is the national space agency of India. In this context, its main purpose is to highlight India with developments in space.
When we look at what he has done, we see that they have created and developed satellite devices, undertaken the stages of rocket design and development, and carried out extensive research from the upper atmosphere to the depths of space.
Even those who are not related to space have heard of Elon Musk in at least one place: SpaceX
- Headquarters: California, USA
SpaceX, which focuses on space exploration like the two previous institutions, has a purpose that sets itself apart from them. The aim of this company is to make space tourism accessible to everyone and to establish the first colonies on Mars. We see its founder, Elon Musk, talking about this dream all the time.
It should be noted that besides the unusual purpose of the company, it also designs and manufactures advanced rockets and spacecraft.
Jeff Bezos’ company, which we can describe as a competitor of Elon Musk’s SpaceX company: Blue Origin
- Headquarters: Washington, USA
Blue Origin company’s name began to be seen widely on the internet, mostly with the space travel of its founder Jeff Bezos. The company’s mission is to reduce the cost of space travel, similar to SpaceX, and to deliver new resources to humanity by providing access to other planets.
An intergovernmental space organization: ESA
- Headquartered in Paris, France
Multiple Europe The European Space Agency, which emerged with the coming together of the country, aims to obtain information about the Earth and its surroundings. The scope of the large-scale organization is not limited to this, as studies on the Solar System and the rest of the universe are also carried out at ESA.
While doing all this, it is aimed to develop the industries of the European countries included in the organization.
Holding the title of the world’s largest particle physics laboratory: CERN
- Headquarters: Meyrin, Switzerland
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CERN, known as the European Center for Nuclear Research, is known for holding the world’s most powerful particle accelerators. Roughly speaking, these devices accelerate particles such as electrons and protons to high speeds, making it possible for them to collide with each other or with a target.
Thanks to these experiments, different information about different particles is learned and this information is used in a way that contributes both to the progress of science and to the daily life of humanity. In other words, what kind of secrets the universe hides under particles is looked at here.
A first in astronomy, enabling us to learn about the dynamics of black holes: LIGO
- Headquartered: Washington and Louisiana, USA
LIGO may seem foreign to you when you look at other research centers. Because instead of those obtained by light, gravitational waves formed by the acceleration of massive objects are detected here. In 2015, the gravitational waves emitted from the collision of two black holes were detected thanks to LIGO, and those who played a role in it were even awarded the Nobel Prize.
LIGO, which is an experiment rather than an observatory, is not domed like other observatories. Since no light is required to detect gravitational waves, its 4 km long arms, which act as antennas and extend to both sides, are sufficient to achieve its purpose. If you’re interested, since we need to start with what gravity is to fully explain this experiment, you can turn to scientific articles to learn more about LIGO.
Intergovernmental observatory: European Southern Observatory (ESO)
- Headquartered in Garching, Germany
ESO is an intergovernmental organization covering 16 European countries, working in the field of astronomy and having three advanced observation sites in the Atacama Desert. Here, high-level tools are provided to those working in the field of astronomy from different parts of the world, and it is aimed to eliminate the question marks about space with the studies carried out.
The development of telescope technologies is also among the priority works of the organization.
It should be noted that the information we have given about these research centers is completely superficial. If you want to get more detailed information about these organizations, you can head to their official websites.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4
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