 | I've been waiting for two weeks finally to hear this: the space shuttle Endeavour landed safely a short while ago!
When I heard that Endeavour had suffered an accident similar to the one that caused the destruction of the space shuttle Columbia over Texas a few years ago, I was concerned not just about Endeavour but the entire space program should we have another shuttle destroyed.
Think about it. We only have two shuttles. We lose one more, and there is no way that NASA will fly the fourth one except in extreme emergency. The shuttle program would be halted. The next shuttle-type vehicles aren't ready, which would mean that we won't have space exploration by humans for a while (of any nation) except the space station - which would be impacted because it relies partly on shuttle missions for fuel and transfers. The destruction of the Endeavour would've had serious consequences! |
I mean, that's some serious drama! C'mon, world! Tell me you understood what was at stake! Tell me it was worthy of a naked Britney Spears photo or at least an American Idol semi-final?? PLEASE.
Yawn. That's how the media - and much of the world - responded. Guess we need an astronaut love-triangle or a shuttle to explode to get the media to pay attention.
But any time we have a serious disaster at NASA where lives are lost and expensive equipment (like a shuttle) is destroyed, we get tons of people from around the country wondering why we even have a space program. It's a real shame that NASA does such a poor job of marketing itself or no one would ever ask these questions. People never ask why we have the military. Even the most liberal of progressives can see some need for a defense force (key word: defense) in this complex and sometimes violent world.
But sending people to the moon? Launching billion dollars probes to Uranus? What good is that doing for me down here?
I've heard this nonsense from conservatives, liberals, exasperated social workers looking to fund after school programs, and just nutcase redmeat guys who wouldn't know what a satellite was if it was launched up their Uranus!
I greatly sympathize with social workers and low-income aid workers who are trying to find funding for their programs especially in this corrupt and heartless administration. However, the space program, which gets a tiny fraction of the funding other programs (like the military), is not to blame for the neglect of our children and Americans. Blame politicians like those in the White House which talk about going to Mars (to raise his ratings) and then cuts the budgets of the space program (along with other social programs).
I know most people think NASA's only given us the Tempur-pedic bed, but in fact NASA has been responsible for some the biggest technological improvements the world has known. It has been pivotal to much of the research and innovation that allowed American companies to dominate the world and has been key to keeping America a world leader.
It is no suprise to me that America is slipping at exactly the same time that funding for scientific groups like NASA is slashed.
That computer you're using right now? Wouldn't be around without NASA's help. Fancy modern airplanes wouldn't exist if NASA didn't refine aircraft controls. Many of you ate baby food that came about because of NASA. You and your kids can swim in your pool free of algae and bacteria b/c NASA. And all you damn uppity golf players can thank NASA for giving ya clubs and balls that carry further than you had any right to expect!
In short, damn it, ALL Y'ALL OWE THE SPACE PROGRAM BIG TIME!!! Now git on yer knees and beg for forgiveness for taking them for granted!
In the end, yes, space exploration can be dangerous and difficult work. Very few people fully fathom the difficulty of sending a manned vehicle the size of a semi-truck millions of miles away and returning it safely to Earth. To do it without any accidents is unrealistic.
That's why when an accident like the one that occurred to Endeavour occurs, it's so important to understand and appreciate the great job done by those NASA engineers who support these missions.
They never get the glory they deserve or the groupies, but they deserve your praise. And more of the media's attention than does the latest Paris Hilton saga.
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