In 1969 Neil Armstrong landed on the moon and gave us those famous words. The whole world watched in wonder as NASA accomplished what had been previously only existed in the realm of comic books or science fiction. 43 years later NASA launched it's final shuttle into outer space.
"If God had meant for us to travel into deep space, he would have given us more money" - John Pike (2011)
I am not sure what this means for us as a people. If we have become too practical, too placid. If we have resigned ourselves to the confines of our blue-green world, contented to see the stars and planets whipping around our galaxy as simple, pretty fairy lights. What does it mean that no more children will grow up wanting to be astronauts or dreaming of the stars? That Houston will no longer have lift off? That a whole generation of humans will go through life without the deep, dark longing for something bigger than our earth, and will not find comfort in the wide black infinity of space? I do not know if we have lost our sense of wonder or yearning. But I know that something has been lost.
As a lover of all things NASA I couldn't help but put together this little (tiny) collection of videos in honor of the wonders of NASA so that everybody can appreciate how truly awe-inspiring and beautiful man's attempt to conquer the last frontier has been.
The first moon landing
Hank Green (1/2 of the vlogbrothers) contemplates the awesomeness of NASA
This song is one of my favorites. Lemon Jelly - Spacewalk
And finally, the last ever NASA shuttle launch.
Despite this setback to our space program I think it's importent for us as humans to remember the vastness and complexity, the power and wonder and promise, the freedom of space.
To leave this post on a note of happiness: This is not the end of NASA. There are no plans for further space shuttles, but NASA is still doing amazing planetary research and engineering some of the coolest technology the world has ever seen. Hopefully, they are simply re-organizing, re-focusing, and restructuring their technologies so that they can re-launch a more economically sound and efficient shuttle program in the future.
UPDATES! (7/12/11)
This makes me feel much happier:
It is a bit sad, isn't it? I agree with you about the power and the wonder of space. Hopefully this isn't the end of space programs though. We've learned so much in the past fifty years that we can't turn back now. It would be like stepping out of the house on a great adventure, making it as far as the letterbox and coming straight back. There's too much left to discover!
ReplyDeleteI know! I'm so disappointed.. oh well, now it'll be privatized so maybe that means more non-astronauts will be going up into space!
ReplyDeleteHey Brit - After living in Florida most of my life (and having been to space camp as a kid at Kennedy Space center) I finally went and took my wife and son to go see the final launch! We watched it from our little boat with thousands of others and while the view isn't half as good as watching it from TV - nothing can prepare you for the incredible power and sound that rocket makes. Very sad to see her go!
ReplyDeleteWhile there will be a much more available way to get into space with privatization, it won't be anything like strapping yourself onto the back of a massive rocket and firing it into space.