Space research is one of the most important endeavors of mankind.
It fuels our present and will propel us into the future.
All one has to do is walk to Bizzell Library to find stacks of Spinoff magazine listing the over 1400 inventions developed by NASA just during the Apollo program or the thousands of NASA papers.
If you think that the Space Race did not, “yield the cure for the common cold or for any other earthly ailment,” as Munim Deen said in his column Tuesday, then maybe you should ask a few people cured using dialysis machines, MRIs and CAT scans.
All three of these medical breakthroughs and many others are a direct result of the Space Race.
I find it absurd to mention satellites like they are not a fundamental part of space exploration. Even today, research about things like electrodynamic tethers is improving the efficiency and usefulness of satellites which are so critical to modern communication.
Let us also remember the huge contribution of NASA in researching aircraft.
NASA does not just work on space exploration; it is currently researching the next generation of supersonic aircraft including pulsejets which have the potential to be both faster and more efficient than our current aircraft.
I’ve barely covered the contributions of space exploration within the limits of this small letter, but it is hard to understate the value of international cooperation brought on by the international space station.
Though intangible to some, the most important reason for space exploration is pure science.
Steven Powers, aerospace engineering master’s student
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mfhayes 3 years, 6 months ago
Go back to High School JWade.
JWade 3 years, 6 months ago
Go back to Junior High School ... NERD.
mfhayes 3 years, 6 months ago
Thanks Steven, I agree.
If it weren't for space exploration, we also wouldn't have found the hole in the ozone.
JWade 3 years, 6 months ago
NERD