Need for Space

During the Nobel week, another event had Sweden’s attention and continues to be of the number one news story in the country. The launching of the latest Discovery mission was of particular interest because it carried Sweden’s first astronaut, Cristen Fuglesang. The mission has been covered extensively, from the lift off in the early hours of Saturday morning to Fuglesang space walking yesterday. The papers are full of information and photos, and the television has carried both events live.

For a space advocate like myself, it is great to watch the launch and the on going mission. Having lived in the Cape Canaveral area in the late 60’s, I was thrilled with the raw power displayed when the Saturn rockets would light up the Florida night sky with their thunderous roar. I was hooked forever and the moment right before the giant clamps release the fiery beasts never fails to give me that rush of excitement.

The sense of pride and accomplishment that Sweden feels for its highflying son is what feels so good. There is a sense of wide-eyed wonder that is refreshing. The United States, despite its diplomatic mistakes in the current world climate still is the only country capable of spearheading the discovery of what Captain Kirk called “the Final Frontier”. So as I experienced this “space high” being manifest in Sweden, I wondered why the space program is met with the indifference it has in the States?

Unless the craft runs into difficulties, the news of space is relegated way down the list of items to be reported. In my daily perusing of the news blogs and Internet news services there seems to be little mention of the launch and mission. Is it because we have grown immune to space travel? I would say not, because three generations of Americans have looked to space travel as a source of adventure and wonder.

Though Sweden looks upon Astronaut Crister has a hero, or at least a brave man, we in the States probably couldn’t name any of the present Challenger crew. I think it might be because NASA doesn’t sell enough sizzle. For people who have been raised on Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers and James T. Kirk as the models for space heroes, talking about building space stations and looking at light beams that were emitted about a million years ago doesn’t seem, well, heroic. Granted, the logical side of our brain says this is all very important, but geez, where are the Klingons?

Further, in this time of the world telling us how bad a job we are doing on the diplomatic front, this success we have throwing people up in the Great Void should be played up. Hey, everybody! Sure, we might have a way to go in learning how to spread democracy but we will take a back seat to no one in how to walk in space. And, by the way, we just captured a few more Nobel Prizes. That was accomplished with one hand tied behind our backs. Imagine what we could do for the world if we could get some real funding.

I don’t want to sound like that Ugly American that Europeans always are talking about, the ones who are loud and boastful. But we Americans while searching our collective conscience should consider this. Do we build up the good will and the well being of the world by forcing our political views on nations at the point of a gun or by developing cures for disease and how cells communicate and what is Mars like? Do we want to lead the world in police actions or in ways to benefit mankind?