Today at 1:54 p.m. the space shuttle Atlantis will return from a 13-day mission to the International Space Station. During these last 13 days the crew of the Atlantis installed new solar cells to give the new segment of the International Space Station enough power to become operational. It is with this new segment of the Space Station that we, the human species, will become closer to exploration into deep space.
Back at the end of the 1960s and early 1970s public awareness and excitement for the space programmed reached its zenith, much of this in response to the space race with the Soviets. Ever since that time public excitement has sadly decreased. Now is the time for America to get behind NASA and reignite its fascination with the odyssey of space.
Every time that the space shuttle lifts off I try my best to catch it on TV. I do this because I am still fascinated with the rockets igniting and seeing the tons of metal slowly lift off the launch pad.
It is imperative that as America has begun to lose its position globally in science, math and technology that we reengage in the new space race — the race to Mars. We saw how positive the first space race was on the mindset of the American people.
As our world is moving away from a manufacturing job atmosphere and more into technological occupations we must prepare our students.
Space exploration has always been something that has excited little kids, but as they get older it seems to be “not cool” to enjoy the unknown of space. We need to change the culture and take that excitement and turn it into a passion for the sciences, mathematics and technology.
Much like a child’s imagination, space is endless. With that endlessness there comes an infinite number of possibilities of where the next technological or medical breakthrough will come. Space exploration and the marvels of it give us hope of what we can achieve in this new technological era as the old industrial period begins to fade into extinction.
America must embrace this new space race as one people. In 1960, when President John F. Kennedy pledged to place a man on the moon by the end of the decade many doubted his ability to achieve his goal. But the American people united behind this goal and a significant driving force began to be the first to our natural satellite, and by July 20, 1969, America achieved what was thought to be the impossible: we landed on the moon.
From landing on the moon we not only captured the American public, but we also became a leader in the world of technology. The leading position in these areas is something that we have recently lost.
When Atlantis returns to the Kennedy Space Center today, let this landing mark the beginning of a renewed interest in the heavens of space. America must foster this environment for its children and by doing so we can reclaim our greatness in exploration and innovation.
