The answers to some of the greatest philosophical questions humans have ever had – where did we come from, what is the meaning of life, are we alone? – can potentially be unlocked by looking out into space. Arguments about the cost vs. reward of these programs occasionally creep up, but the economics of space flight are quantifiable.
Scientific and engineering developments don’t happen in isolation; designs applied in space science often lay the groundwork for technologies to be spun-off into something else. There is literally a list on the NASA website of nearly 2,000 spinoffs in the fields of computer technology, environment and agriculture, health and medicine, public safety, transportation, recreation, and industrial productivity. Moreover, the people who make this argument often overlook the fact that throughout all of human history, we have constantly built symbols of our greatness. These symbols have a way of inspiring people to accomplish more. In my case, my passion for science was built on growing up and witnessing NASA accomplish amazing things in space. While I may have missed the hay-days of of going to the moon, growing up in the 90’s gave me deeper understanding of the scientific pursuits NASA wanted to accomplish.
Seeing the amazing discoveries of Galileo and Hubble, Pathfinder and Mars Global Surveyor – giving us a peek at our next door neighbor, the cooperation of the USA and Russia in low-earth orbit to create the ISS, for example, are in my opinion some of the greatest feats of engineering humankind has ever created. Seeing what humans were capable of, and witnessing the drive and passion we had to reach for the stars are what inspired me to pursue a degree in STEM. Because of the feats accomplished in the space program we now have multiple generations of people who are interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
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Humans have this embedded drive in us to to create, to discover, explore – it’s why we built a flimsy wooden-framed aircraft for the first time, it’s why we bottled lightning, it’s why we stepped onto a boat and sailed across an ocean. So, it makes sense that as NASA winded down manned-flight, the private sector was there to step in. From a low grumble to a loud roar, privatized space flight has rocketed to the surface. With the current trajectory of the industry – Blue Origin’s own New Shepard reviving interest in the public, New Glenn setting itself up for the foundation of heavy lift, and other industry giants making leaps forward, I really feel like we’re on the precipice of a new space revolution… I genuinely believe that space is the next frontier. We’ve reached out and touched it, but we’re just on the edge of what’s possible.
