George Carroll recently posted a poem which got me to thinking about our space program being discontinued. That, in turn, prompted me to write the following…..
NASA SHUTTING DOWN
I’m troubled by the discontinuation of our space program. I haven’t read nearly enough on the reasoning behind the shutting down of the program, but I assume that it is primarily cost driven. If that is the case, in these most difficult of times, I can certainly see the need for a conservative approach. However, I don’t like seeing our country take a back seat to anyone. There are so many cash cows that could save us billions of dollars annually without risking our future by falling behind in the space program which I believe will result in ultimately falling behind in technology.
Had it not been for NASA and our space program of the 50's, 60's and all the years beyond, we'd still be in the dark ages as far as technology. So much that we take for granted today, came directly from that involvement. Oh, I know, we spent billions, but it certainly has enhanced our lives in the process. It has created many, many jobs and has indirectly affected our lives in so many unaccounted for ways. I fear that we will one day regret the decision to simply do away with this program.
Just the mere fact that I can sit here at my desk and read this lovely poem, posted only moments ago from some far off location is a testament to the benefits of our involvement with space. The speed and efficiency of today’s communications would be impossible without the many communications satellites circling the globe, all of which are products of the space program. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. Lessons learned in the space program have affected all industries. Robotics, are what they are today because of the space program,,,,,, Miniaturization of technology; the space program,,,,, transportation; again the space program..... Were it not for our involvement in the space race, most certainly we would be looking at a totally different world today.
Thank you NASA, sorry to see you go.
Copyright © 2011 Richard Lee King. All Rights Reserved.
Author of: Nice & Naughty, A Pursuit of Life & The Price of Freedom
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