Sustain the Awe

Like many of my generation, I was saddened yesterday when I learned of the death of Neil Armstrong (25 AUG 12). He became the symbol of a nation that could climb any mountain, move any obstacle, and face any challenge. Even before entering the astronaut program, he demonstrated he had the “right stuff”. He flew 78 combat missions over Korea and even had to “punch out” when his F9F was hit by anti-aircraft fire. He resigned his commission at the age of 22 and later went on to become a test pilot.

Armstrong salutes the US Flag.

Earlier today, I watched Moonshot (again), and I am filled with mixed emotions: pride in all the USA accomplished during the years we had manned space travel, sadness at the loss of an American hero, and a bit concerned that our children will not experience the sense of awe many of us felt late 20 JUL 69 watching the “Eagle” land on the moon on a black and white TV. The mission of Apollo 11, commanded by Neil Armstrong, with Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins had made it to the moon.

Saturn V Rocket at US Space & Rocket Center

Even living in the Rocket City, (Huntsville, AL) home of the Marshall Space Flight Center, Werhner von Braun, and the Saturn V rocket, I wonder if many of the next generation understand the significance and contributions we have gained from manned space exploration. I wonder how many of the children sitting in the classrooms of Columbia and Virgil “Gus” Grissom High Schools, Challenger and Ed White Middle Schools, and Roger Chaffee Elementary School understand the heritage of the schools they attend? What do they think when they drive along I-565 and see the full-scale Saturn V rocket standing high above the U.S. Space and Rocket Center? Do they understand that the cell phone in their hands has more computer power than all the computers on the command module? Do they know that the GPS system they used to go across town was a product of NASA exploration?

The space race brought all Americans together to achieve the mandate given to us by President John F. Kennedy—to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade. There was pride felt around the world as the stars and stripes were planted on the lunar surface and then saluted by Armstrong. Now, after leading the world in manned space exploration, the US does not even have a way to get our astronauts to the International Space Station. (See Note Final Flight originally published to Facebook 08 JUL 11.)

Since its inception in 1958, NASA has given us many, everyday items and a source of many tech transfer products or spinoffs. These include Satellite TV (Dish, Direct), Satellite Navigation (GPS), Thermal Protection Systems (Firefighters and NASCAR), Freeze Dried Food (MREs), Water Filters, Memory foam (mattresses), Scratch resistant lenses (eyeglasses), and Kidney Dialysis Machines. However, the most significant “spinoff” is knowledge, critical thinking skills, and expansive thinking: seeking answers to questions that have eluded us for centuries and even learning of questions we did not know existed.

Several months ago, I watched a program about NASA. Even adjusted for inflation, NASA’s budget is only 850 billion dollars. Yes, that is a lot of money but just compare that to the bailout of 2008: 4 trillion dollars. That is a “4” with twelve zeros (4,000,000,000,000) compared to NASA (850,000,000,000). The budget for FY 2013 is a paltry $17.8 billion. NASA Budget We as a nation should make manned space exploration a priority and continue reaping the benefits of the programs. In my opinion, this should be achieved through both private enterprises and government programs.

We should also not deny the next generations the feelings we shared through both the successes and failures of the past 50+ years of space exploration. Not only did Neil Armstrong leave his footprints on the surface of the moon, but he also left a legacy that transcends ethnicity and nationalities. It was estimated that 1 out of 5 individuals watched as he made that “…one small step for man. One giant leap for mankind.” This was further evidenced in the plaque he and Aldrin left on the moon’s surface. It stated, “Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon. July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind.”

Carl Sagan wrote, “Everybody starts out as a scientist. Every child has the scientist’s sense of wonder and awe.” Who knows, perhaps a young boy or girl alive today, will be the first to set foot on a distant planet, and the rest of the world will watch it live on their cell phones. We must sustain the awe.