America's space age turns 50

David Frye, Denton, Neb. — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:15:05 GMT

I've been an enthusiastic follower of the space program since childhood. I appreciate the reminder of the 50th anniversary of Explorer I. I'd lost track of that. It strikes me as a little odd that the United States Postal Service could find enough significance in Yoda (of Star Wars fame) to honor him with two separate stamps last year, but has decided to pass over this anniversary.

America's space age turns 50

Philip — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:32:36 GMT

man in space. what a colossal waste of time and money. and space.

America's space age turns 50

a p garcia — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:58:43 GMT

Wish I could modify Philip's comment to the ISS. What the space community is someone like Von Braun. I still remember his partnership with Disney to help spread the word of why space should be explored. Yes, I wish the USPS would honor the original explorers of space sans Yoda.

America's space age turns 50

steve smyth — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:17:11 GMT

the moon in ten years...extrapolate that and we should be sitting here in front of our screens, awaiting the first pics of a Mining Colony on Io...DRAT!
someone ask the old timers to talk about their visions...vs...the reigning idea that all they could accomplish was what Congress would bear, and 'not in our lifetimes' was a sad given...it's carried over...double DRAT!
Hooray for those guys...knew they'd never get to see their visions realized, but gave it everything they had anyway...

America's space age turns 50

D Gordon, Aurora, CO — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 21:39:25 GMT

You know what I think about the argument of Man vs Machine...imagine the original Star Trek as an Earth Based science team viewing data from an advanced deep space robot probe...and imagine how boring that would have been...especially the probe getting it on with all the hot women.

America's space age turns 50

Gregg. Astoria, NY — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:53:52 GMT

Man is space? Why not? There was a good reason why we went to the Moon later. A robot would have stopped.

Now we have two exploring their parts of Mars, and they are out doing the Everyready Bunny with their ability to keep going, and going.

America's space age turns 50

John Seattle, WA — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:08:35 GMT

Philip is correct. Man is space has been a colossal waste of time and money. How refreshing to hear somebody else say it.

America's space age turns 50

Anthony, San Diego, Ca — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:07:29 GMT

For those of you who think Man in Space is a collosal waste of time. Where do you think many of the technological advances that drive our world and economy have come from? When we mind our world raw, where do you think we will turn to next? The moon, asteroids perhaps? When this world can no longer sustain our ever growing population, where do you think mankind will be? In space possibly?

You be-little the great achievemants our drive to explore space have gifted us with. You would dismiss the sacrifice of those men and women who have lost their lives for this cause to better humanity.

Man in space.....I hope we never lose that dream and one day realize it is a dream no longer. We are there and we will never let it go. Just as when humanity switched from being hunter-gatherers to farmers and agriculturalists. There is no turning back.

America's space age turns 50

James, MD — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:12:10 GMT

The meek can have the Earth when the strong move on to the stars.

Keep flyin', guys & gals.

America's space age turns 50

Jam USA — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:47:11 GMT

Yes, John and Philip, Man in space is a huge waste of time. So was Columbus and the Vikings for that matter, and don't forget about Lewis and Clark and that idiot Captain Cook and his silly exploration of the Pacific. Yes boys, man should just stay home, pray to God and never, ever ask questions about anything. Good thing you two [...] aren't in charge of space science, we'd still be in the dark ages with your mentality.

America's space age turns 50

Chris, Denver, CO — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:34:15 GMT

The general public can't even begin to understand the depth and breadth of the benefits that have come out of the space program. The drive to solve the various scientific problems has stimulated countless inventions and medical solutions. Ever used an infrared ear thermometer on your sleeping child? Ever had a pair of Nike Air shoes? These technologies and so many others came directly from the space program. To say that humanity hasn’t benefited greatly on many fronts due to the United States’ space program is extremely naive.

America's space age turns 50

Luke Skywalker, Trussville, Alabama — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:53:56 GMT

Leave Yoda alone!!!
When 900 years you reach, look as good you will not...
We need to get Obi One Kanobi on a stamp!!!
$.42 a stamp... What a deal...
I wonder how much it will cost to mail you
guys something from Tatooine, when I go back...
I want to go home, I miss Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru...
They will be upset if I don't get back with their
droids...

America's space age turns 50

Wes Kobernick, Santa Monica, CA — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:59:11 GMT

Having grown up during the early years of the space program, I was energized with the promise of humanity's expansion into space. That promise is dead. Now we have a self-perpetuating clique for only the chosen, lucky few. The possibility of venturing into space, via NASA, is impossible for the average American. Am I bitter? Yes. I admit complete jealousy. But after 50 years, I finally hope to see the demise of NASA's gatekeeping with the rise of comericial space flight. After 50 years of selfish and elitist stewardship, it is time for NASA to step aside and let the corporate sector take command.

America's space age turns 50

Kevin Cousineau, Lompoc, California — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 04:21:24 GMT

Directly above the head of Dr. von Braun is the reason why America won the race to the moon. The instrument package was a bit of brand new technology, a solid state system sensor and transmitter and powered by another brand new system, photovoltaic cells. Because our launcher was so much smaller then the Russians, America had to depend upon new technology to get the job done. The Russians used lead acid batteries and vacuum tubes for their early space craft. President Kennedy's call for a manned landing on the moon drove the need to reduce the size of modern computers from, at that time, the size of a closet, to one the size of a briefcase. This computer, the first true solid state, integrated circuit computer, was used on the Lunar Lander as it made all six of its landings from 1969 through 1973. That technology leap was driven by the manned space program, and although it would have been achieved, eventually, it would not have been achieved so quickly. The space program drove integrated circuit development from its begininng in 1957 to where it is today, a "taken for granted technology."

How can you call that a giant waste?

America's space age turns 50

Buffantoo — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:16:40 GMT

Of course , propelling away more compressed oxigen to larger ozonehole, global warming, etc.
These gents dont know yet, them are the hardest criminals against organic - not just human- life.

America's space age turns 50

Jimmy Beddoes Sandy, UT — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:59:49 GMT

Those who think the space program is a colossal waste of time obviously don't appreciate micro computers, micro medicine and a number of other everyday things the we wouldn't have or wouldn't have in the convenient size that we enjoy. Imagine the world with no laptop computers or cell phones..... actually, that part doesn't sound too bad.

America's space age turns 50

steve smyth — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:14:43 GMT

this topic really stirs me...my Father worked for AVCO RAD in those years...doing nose cone ablation research...I had pieces of the stuff before there was Vanguard, et al...pretty heady...
then I got to see the testing methods...blowtorches firing into mica-windowed metal boxes, with little rounded cones being disintegrated by the flame...
I immediately began researching alternative methods of re-entry...the reigning wisdom saw no middle ground between skip-off and burn-in...nothing has changed, because all the stuff being done today was put on the drawing boards by the guys you see standing there holding up ExplorerI, and many others like them...crew cuts, Camels, and pocket protectors...administering space since day one...since they realized their dreams wouldn't come to fruition in their lifetimes, they gave themselves legacy, and perpetual influence...triple DRAT!

America's space age turns 50

Bryce, Teaneck — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:57:11 GMT

For those of a spiritual bent, I recommend you check out what Dr. Henry Richter, Jr., program manager for Explorer 1, had to say this week to JPL employees. (Let's just say that Hitchens and Dawkins will hate it.)

America's space age turns 50

Tom Hill, DC Metro — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:46:39 GMT

People with sentiments like Phillip and John are just as right about space as the people who decried Alaska as a waste (before the gold and oil rushes, as well as the fishing industry came along) were right.

Crewed spaceflight, in its current form, has returned little of substance, but there's no denying that resources are in space that can and will enable us to move forward. If we can get it right, it will pay more concrete dividends.

America's space age turns 50

Randy, Valley Forge, PA — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:14:24 GMT

Christopher! You want to do what? Send three ships westward? For how much! Are you crazy? You'll just fall off the end of the Earth. Why would we spend all that money on such a foolish endeavor when we have all these problems right here in Europe?

America's space age turns 50

Scott Seattle, WA — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:18:47 GMT

To the naysayers about space exploration:

http://er.jsc.nasa.gov/seh/spinoff.html

Or

http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html

America's space age turns 50

Rich Palazzolo Goffstown NH — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:36:25 GMT

Happy Anniverary,
This man vs machine debate is silly,we need both.
Thank God we have corporations starting to send up
pay loads.We have much to be proud of and an exiting future to look foward to.
Rich Goffstown NH

America's space age turns 50

Cliff, Texas — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:56:10 GMT

Colossal waste of time? Gee, we have microwave ovens, those $250 Nike sneakers you're wearing, kevlar, Tang, our hand-held computers, tiny cell phones, gps, advances in medical science, etc etc. If we hadn't gone out in space, we'd probably still have the UNIVAC computer(which could do 2000 computations a minute! in 1957), the rotary telephone, cars that resemble the cars from the 1940's, and we'd probably be still using typewriters.

Oh yeah, space exploration has been a monumental waste of our time and money. Without people willing to advance us, we could still be using oxe drawn wagons, dying from all sorts of diseases that are currently irradicated, dying before you're even 30, and using bows and arrows to kill our food.

America's space age turns 50

Generalist, Spokane WA — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:05:10 GMT

Before we write off 'man in space' in favor of robots, we really need to tally up the costs of unsuccessful unmanned missions. There are quite a few instances where unmanned missions have gone sour and time/money have been wasted. But, being unmanned, they rarely make headlines.

Some of these unmanned missions could have been successful IF the hardware had been assembled, tested and launched in a manned space station in Low Earth Orbit. For that matter, a LEO launched satellite could have more capabilities than an Earth launched satellite because you aren't limited to the physical envelope of rocket AND because the satellite as a whole doesn't have to deal with high G launch forces, you can avoid launch related failures.

While there will be other issues with LEO based launches, the flexibility the human element would provide with a 'space garage' would make a big difference. We just need a good, low cost Earth to LEO launch service.

America's space age turns 50

Scott, Wisconsin — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:33:36 GMT

Bravo to all those who helped make my childhood so wonder-filled and fun by going into "outer space". Glad I was around.

America's space age turns 50

Bland Rooker, Colorado Springs — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:26:19 GMT

When we understand that the true impetus of the space race was not science, but the battle of political domination and nationalism, then things start to look different.

America's space age turns 50

Peter Davey, Dorset, Great Britain — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 12:13:35 GMT

My own support for space travel is based, in part, on two quotations.
The first is from the Russian scientist, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky: "The Earth is the cradle of Mankind, but no-one stays in the cradle forever."
The second is from the award-winning writer, the late Robert A Heinlein: "The Earth is simply too small and fragile a basket for the human race to continue to keep all of its eggs in." - to which his colleague, Larry Niven, has added an additional comment: "The dinosaurs had no space programme."
To quote from the ending of the film version of H G Wells "The Shape of Things To Come": "The Universe or nothing. Which will it be?"

I know which way I would vote.

America's space age turns 50

John Doe — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:24:02 GMT

"Yes, John and Philip, Man in space is a huge waste of time. So was Columbus and the Vikings for that matter, and don't forget about Lewis and Clark and that idiot Captain Cook and his silly exploration of the Pacific. Yes boys, man should just stay home, pray to God and never, ever ask questions about anything. Good thing you two [...] aren't in charge of space science, we'd still be in the dark ages with your mentality."

What does God/religion have to do with this at all? I love how people take any chance they can to bash religions.

America's space age turns 50

Drew, edinburg, illinois — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:26:56 GMT

For those of you who hate the idea of man in space and are very centered in spiritual beliefs...well, please don't think me as trying to stir you up. I too have strong spiritual beliefs and I believe that we were created...but I also believe that what is out in space is kind of like sprinkles on a birthday cake. God made the cake for us and designed it for us...in case you don't know yet, the cake is the earth...and all the other planets and nebula's and stars out there in space are just sprinkles for us to enjoy and watch and learn about...I know its not the best analogy but I like it. so...yeah thats my two cents. Have a good day.

America's space age turns 50

Bob, England, UK — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:57:45 GMT

It always make me laugh when simple folk say things like: " We should sort out the problems on our own planet and forget about space". I simply turn around to these people and say " Do you take foreign holidays? If so why? What a complete waste of money! You should give your holiday money to the poor and homeless before embarking on frivolous long distance travel that utilises complex flying machines! You should defer all mind expanding voyages and stay at safe in your armchair - send a robot to Goa or the Maldives - you can watch the pretty pictures at home, risk free!" Space travel is about free movement. The preposterous idea that we should be immobile because of "Earth's problems" is simply ridiculous...

America's space age turns 50

Mario Rios Pinot, NY NY — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:19:20 GMT

I love it.

America's space age turns 50

nusret — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:43:23 GMT

Thank you for your sharing.!