The Case for Space

On April 19, 2021, the NASA robotic helicopter "Ingenuity" completed a successful flight on the surface of Mars. This historical event catapulted human spaceflight and engineering as an Earth produced vehicle took flight on its own while located on a different planet. Never before had mankind achieved such a feat beyond Earth. 

"Ingenuity" hovers above the surface of Mars in this historic image. (NASA)

Ever since I was a small child, I have always looked to the stars. My earliest memories of learning about space were around the age of four when I would look outside and see the planets Mars and Venus beside the Moon. As I grew older, I would collect books on the wonders of space and God’s incredible creation of nebulae, the solar system and planets beyond our galaxy. Being homeschooled, I was fortunate to accumulate fascinating picture-filled books which I still have to this day. Throughout my later homeschooled years, my mother always noted how Earth’s Moon was seen by almost every human at some point, thus giving me a visual on how some of my favorite historical figures and familial ancestors would look up at the very same moon that I saw. By my junior year in high-school, I was delighted to have a course in Astronomy. Through vast research and study, I became commonly familiar with NASA missions and the importance of the cause to explore space beyond Earth. Additionally, I learned new terminology such as "star clusters" (a collection of stars), "nebulae" (a formation of dust and gas), "light years" (a calculation of the distance light travels) and "NGC" (New General Catalogue). I commend Astronomy and Astrobiology books such as “Deep Space: Beyond the Solar System to the End of the Universe” (2014) and “The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Space and Space Exploration” (2016) which piqued my interest to a new degree. 

                                       

    

                       NGC 6357 Star Cluster, also known as the "Cosmic Winter Wonderland" (NASA)                                                      

While studying, I came to learn different names of nebulae and the planets recently found by NASA beyond our solar system called “exoplanets”. Some of my readers might note that around the same time, I became a fan of classic “Star Trek” and connected to the franchise because of its central connection to outer space. For Trekkies, we look no further than TOS’ “City on the Edge of Forever” or Voyager’s “One Small Step” to explain our love for interstellar exploration and admiration for those sacrificed all they had in the name of outer space. Upon my graduation from high-school, I have continued to hold a deep appreciation or all the work NASA has continued in establishing missions to seek out new images, find uncharted planets and even search for extraterrestrial life forms. Images from the Voyager 2 probe (launched August 20, 1977) and Hubble Telescope (launched April 24, 1990) continue to fascinate and show what lies beyond Earth. Following the historic NASA rover “Perseverance” landing on Mars on February 18, 2021, the debate over the extensive use of funds towards the space missions has recently resurfaced. Furthermore, the question of America leading the charge in space exploration is examined as other countries continue to expand on their interplanetary technology. 

      

                                                                                                                                                    The Voyager 2 probe. (NASA)

       

  The planet Neptune, captured by Voyager 2. (NASA)

When one thinks of American space exploration, they might find themselves hearing the quote “we choose to go to the moon!” by President John. F Kennedy or “one small step for man…one giant leap for mankind" by astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Given these quotes provide a linguistic stereotype for space exploration, the crucial facet of funding NASA paved the way for those quotes to be said. Although President Kennedy was not alive to see his dream fulfilled, his goal in sending American astronauts to the moon came to fruition. Most notably, the American flag would be pressed into the moon’s soil on July 20, 1969. Following these key events, various presidents would increase and decrease the spending for NASA. During these decades, women such as Katherine Johnson and Margaret Hamilton paved the way for equality and inclusion in "STEM" (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field. Throughout this time, various planets and nebulae were discovered beyond our outer solar system. In addition to landing on the moon, the technology used in the space race has improved over the years and helped catapult the computer age (including GPS). These attributes would lead to the popularity in the STEM fields, with increased interests in individuals becoming biologists, doctors, engineers and physicists. Additionally, in 1977, “Star Trek: The Original Series” actress Nichelle Nichols was hired by NASA to star in a recruitment video. In this moment on screen, Nichols stated “I’m speaking to the whole family of humankind, minorities and women alike. If you qualify and would like to be an astronaut, now is the time.” (n.d.). With this remark, Nichols addressed people around the United States, asking that they look to the stars and participate in the NASA program. In conclusion, she conveyed a shared belief that despite differences and world issues, Americans could come together in supporting space exploration as a flight into the future.      

Nichelle Nichols during her NASA Recruitment video circa 1977. (n.d.)

                     

In our current times, we can see how world events have changed the conversation in funding space exploration as countries around the world, including our own, face several issues bringing hardship on planet Earth. For example, a question continuously asked to proponents of space exploration is “why fund exploring space when we have countless problems on our own planet?” Although those who take issue with funding space exploration might have a point in their arguments, we must look at the bigger picture. Since mankind landed on the moon in 1969, NASA astronomers, astrobiologists and scientists have discovered over 4,000 exoplanets, 3,000 planetary nebula and several black holes which are ten to twenty-four times larger than the Sun. Additionally, NASA scientists have discovered that several minerals and deposits on other planets could be beneficial to Earth. Through the years, NASA funding has faced funding, de-funding and funding again. With such vast knowledge, mankind has been able to create new technology to seek out new planets in search for new findings and life beyond Earth. Because of this fascination, mankind is able to form a purpose in coming together in discovering something never seen before on this world. A fine example of people coming together for space exploration would be the ISS (International Space Station). Launched in 1998, the countries of Canada, Europe, Russia, Japan, and the United States of America came together in sending their best scientists to study space in space. Most recently, Russia announced that they intend to break away from the ISS to pursue their own space station. 

                                                                                                    The NASA rover, “Perseverance” on the surface of Mars. (NASA)

 

In addition to NASA, entrepreneurs such as Elon Musk have invested in their own private space programs such as “SpaceX” as a secondary facet of NASA and the ISS (International Space Station). SpaceX has recently been a guiding light in promoting space exploration with futuristic plans for Martian colonies, regular human transport to visit space and missions beyond our solar system. On April 17, 2021, NASA announced that they will be partnering with SpaceX to construct a "Lunar Landing System" which will help transport NASA astronauts to the Moon. NASA stated that they would be paying Elon Musk 2.9 billion dollars for this project and the name of the lander would be called "Artemis". 

                                                                                                   

     

   NGC Star Cluster 2244, also known as the "Rosetta Nebula". (NASA)

 

Through vast research and reflection, I understand the argument of why some individuals are against funding the space program due to relevant issues such as world hunger, housing and underprovided communities. However, when we look deep into the spending that the United States of America puts into space exploration, one can see that this funding is a large amount, but smaller than the costs spent on defense, healthcare and home front issues. Although the funding for space exploration can be overlooked as a "waste", it has proven to be effective in improving technology and learning things about our solar system we would have never known before. I believe that the exploration of the unknown is a common facet mankind holds and will continue to remain. While looking at the pictures attached to this post, I hope you can see the beauty of our galaxy beyond Earth. From exoplanets to three-dimensional nebulae, the planets beyond our solar system are in the thousands. Instead of completely cutting funding, perhaps more schools and universities can integrate more knowledge of NASA discoveries and the future missions of SpaceX. I believe that the more children and young adults are educated in space, the more respect for space exploration will grow and why it should continue. Learning that there are earth-like planets light-years away from our own also brings to light the question of our own existence and the knowledge we have yet to learn. By showing support to NASA, be it on social media, entering your name on the https://www.nasa.gov/ email list or donating, you are contributing to a great cause. Throughout the last fifty years, mankind’s knowledge has grown a significant deal due to the discoveries made beyond Earth. Imagine what discoveries will be made in fifty years from now, or beyond?   

The "Pillars of Creation Nebula", visibly centered inside the Eagle Nebula. (NASA)

    

The "Pillars of Creation Nebula" taken in infrared light radiation to cut beyond the dusts and gases within the nebula. This type of photography looks beyond what the naked eye can see in space. (NASA) 

                           

"In the beginning God created heaven, and earth. And the earth was void and empty, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God moved over the waters. And God said: Be light made. And light was made. And God saw the light that it was good; and he divided the light from the darkness." - Genesis 1:1-4

References:

Human Spaceflight. SpaceX. (n.d.). 

Image credit: NASA, ESA/Hubble and the Hubble Heritage Team

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Image Credit: NASA/ESA/Hubble (Butterfly Nebula)

Image credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/PSU/L. (NGC Winter Wonderland) 

Kennedy, J. F. (1963). We choose to go to the Moon. Speech presented at Address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Effort in Rice University, Houston (1962, September 12).

Lisle, J. (2016, October). Taking back astronomy: the heavens declare creation. Master Books.

McSweeney, K., Bonderud, D., & Robinson, R. (n.d.). The intersection of technology, innovation & creativity. Now. Powered by Northrop Grumman. 

NASA, ESA and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) (Pillars of Creation) 

Piantadosi, C. A. (2015). “Mankind Beyond Earth: The History, Science, and Future of Human space Exploration.” Columbia University Press.

Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols and Astronaut Recruitment. National Air and Space Museum. (n.d.).  

Resources in Space.  (2021, February 4). Space Resources - Luxembourg Space Agency.

...and one last picture

   The "Butterfly Nebula" captured in 2009. (NASA)

Thank-you for reading!