Recently the news has been flooded with articles describing the death of NASA and the United States domination of human space flight. It's true that the iconic symbol of America's triumph over much of the world is being retired after 30 years of service but I don't think it should be considered the end of an era. While at work I have a lot of down time between calls that can be filled with random web surfing or some actual reading. I have found that it's about 50/50 regarding the recent events with NASA. Half are upset and angry exclaiming that this is the end and that no longer will the US lead the world in human exploration of outer space while the other half accept the end of this three decade long journey but see it as a wonderful opportunity. I tend to agree with the latter.
I read an article this morning that expressed appreciation for the shuttle program but was elated to see it end. I hadn't really thought about this side of the argument but it really makes sense. My parent's generation remembers the excitement and proud moments of witnessing the achievement of sending a human being to the moon. For the first time in the history of the world mankind had visited another celestial body. It was captivating and brought forth a new era of dreamers and greater interest in the cosmos. In the late '70s the shuttle program inspired new confidence and solidified the United States' place as leader of the world in human spaceflight. The idea of building a machine that could be launched into space, recovered and reused was extraordinary. I know that shuttle inspired myself to study mechanical engineering with a devout focus on updating and expanding space technology and I know I am not alone in this endeavour.
Despite all the good that the shuttle has done for our country and the rest of the world we cannot deny that it had become rather routine to see a few well trained people strapped to 1.6 million pounds of rocket fuel escape the gripping force of gravity and leave the planet. We have become so jaded to the complete process and no longer appreciate what is actually happening. I myself admit that this had become so commonplace that I never made an effort to at least follow the mission or the launch until recently. I would, of course, hear of a shuttle launch and have a slight desire to see it on TV but nothing ever so pressing as nearly willing to dump several hundred dollars on a ticket to Florida to see one of the two last launches this year. It's only after something so amazing and familiar is threatened to come to a close when we renew our interest and try to hold onto it. But perhaps it's time to let it go? The space shuttle had become a bus or a delivery van supplying the ISS with necessities and new technology. I think that it's lackluster purpose really falls in the shadows of the former Apollo missions. Is it time to leave the mundane operations of supplying the International Space Station to other countries or even better, the private sector.
Doesn't it seem more productive to give NASA the mission of exploring new technologies and reaching further out into the stars and leave basic logistics to a collaborating outside company? With NASA focused on bigger projects like putting up a brand new space telescope that would effectively put the Hubble to shame or solidifying and enacting a mission to put humans on a distant world. Discoveries made with new technology would bring back that feeling of excitement and pride that my parents felt watching the moon landings. It would give yet another generation of young children something to aspire to. Perhaps my future children and I will have the opportunity to sit together and watch a fellow human being make the first steps on Mars.
