Should We Continue to Soar With the Eagles, Or Become A Bear In the Air
Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010
by David Levitt
Pondering America's presence in the world, and in this case outside of this world, just how important is it to us to maintain a presence in low earth orbit? Or maybe even more important, our competitive edge, or lack thereof, in aerospace technology and engineering. Should we continue to soar with the eagles, or become a bear in the air?
Now naturally, you must determine what amount of money you are willing to spend towards this effort. To answer this question you not only have the manufacturing and maintenance of space based products and services, but the amount of funding and resources needed to commit to education and research.
Whether or not technological, or aerospace supremacy is necessary to maintain an economic advantage, and considered a world superpower is debatable. What is not debatable, is that no longer being a manufacturing world competitor, 'nother story, without it we are going to be hard pressed, other than agricultural exports, to continue to be a country capable of not becoming a third world economy.
To remain a world military power is I believe closely tied to our technological ability, and I believe it is well known that a lot of that knowledge is obtained by the research and development done in the aerospace industry. Anybody heard of Tang?
Just kidding! About the Tang, anyway. So I think this must be taken into account when forming your opinion on what resources should be allotted to this endeavor.
Our very ability to defend ourselves against foreign invaders may rest on our decision to maintain a techno capability on the world stage. Not to mention our ability to effect negotiations in situations like are now occurring in the "whole resource-rich" South China Sea. Where no less than 9 countries, including allies Japan, and South Korea, are embroiled in talks with China, about it's claim of "indisputable sovereignty", and where America has asserted a "national interest" in "freedom of navigation"
Undoubtedly, these territorial disputes will also occur in the lower orbits of space, and probably eventually beyond. "Space is the next frontier" as Gene Roddenberry so elegantly put it, and the decisions that we make now will ultimately determine America's role in that frontier. Are we going to commit to being a player, or are we just going to get played? So my question to you America, is should we continue to soar with the eagles, or become a bear in the air?
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More commentsI believe that space exploration somehow broadens our human scope and attitudes. Something better! :)Hey, something has to help, huh? :-)Your the best, thanks!
I'm all for continuing the space program. We're a country that already has a poor educational record in comparison to others. We should be promoting instead of dismantling.My sentiments exactly Abe!Thanks for the comment.
Maybe we could put some of those oil pipelines in space? At least if any of them bust then we don't have to worry about dying seals and pelicans. I feel like other than walking on the moon (which some still debate if that ever happened) we need to have another great moment in time... like walking on Mars or something. I mean, the last thing I heard was something about finding water on Mars... which is kinda cool, but nothing to define a generation. If I told my kids about finding water on Mars, they would be like, umm, LAME.Ya know? So yes, we need to not be a bear. Thanks for the article! -BrombergYou heard that they found water? Cool! Last I heard was that they had found evidence of ancient oceans. But hey, if they found water, then at least we know that there is one unpolluted waterway in our galaxy. :-)Thanks for reading and commenting, and I hope they don't run you off of SW for becoming a fan!Oops, didn't let the cat out of the bag, did I?
The U.S. has spent un-told billions of dollars on exactly this topic. The numbers are usually skewed and miss-leading, and the money spent is hidden. When the Stealth Bomber was announced to the world, it was shocking. In all reallity it had it been in the making for over 20yrs. I'm sure the U.S. has several hidden tricks up it's sleeve, just ask someone living near area 51. ; )Ya, or watch a documentary. How 'bout that city size bunker they're building under Denver to house the eternally wealthy and support staff, better known as future slaves, after they have to nuke the citizenry once we finally see their true intentions for our future, and rebel against an overzealous government? Those devils! I wondered why the gov was paying $3000 dollars for a hammer, and $500 per nail.Thanks for reading.
Interesting article David. Yes, I too believe that we should continue with our space program. I think a great deal was learned through the program to enhance our military programs also.Yes, and maybe somehow, someway, we could advance to the point to where we didn't need our, or anybody else's military program.Thanks for reading and the comment Linda.
I don't know what to think about this, David. I think space developments are terribly exciting, and quite a phenomenal illustration of man's creativity and ingenuity, but I don't like the competitive side to it.I'd love to see a country withdraw from all competitive developments and just focus on its own people. You know, be down to earth :)Spoken like a true romantic Jennifer, as am I. Unless you live in a shoe box though, I believe that it is easy to see that this is not the way the world in which we live works. A benevolent world leader would be by far a much better system for our evolution than all of the isms under which we live today. However, could you imagine had Hitler been allowed to systematically dominate the entire world? None of us live in a land of total freedom, although I think you would concede that some forms of government are preferable to others. In order to maintain that level of freedom, blood has been and unfortunately will be spilled. To repel the tyrannical, narcissistic, aspirations of others an ability to defend one's sovereignty must be maintained. Does it not?
Very interesting topic, David. All I can say is that we live in a crazy world of extremes!That we do Ms. Hosny, that we do! Unfortunate isn't it?Thank you for reading, and your comment.
Thank you for thinking about the American presence in the world. As you think, so are your goals.Paramerters different civilization have to think different. Most people in the West want to measure progress in wealth and techonology, even at the cost of mental health and peace and moral values. . But here in India, most people do not negotiate the cost of mental health and peace and moral values. Thus, the Indians can not become a superpower in the thinking of the American people that America can not become a superpower in the thinking of Indian civilization.Maybe yes, maybe no. I can not make that judgement, because I do not know about the Indian culture well enough to do so. Most, is also a judgement I can not make on western culture because of the same reasons. Morals as well is a judgement that carries it's own set of issues. What you may consider moral, I may consider insane, and vice-versa. The ability to feed our people, and protect ourselves from foreign invasion without having to use nuclear force and destroy the planet, are my concerns, and I will leave the judging to those who care to partake in those standards.Thank you for reading and the comment.
we are at the beginning stages of aerospace, recently we sent living species and animals, if every thing goes well Iran will send Iranian Astronauts until 15 to 20 later years.thats an immense distance, but we try to reach USA. by the way it seems no body is thankful of Iranian-American engineers that are working in NASA.
Let's soar being mindful that others might not be so noble - not sure what that would take or look like.That makes two of us Marijo!Thanks for reading, and the comment.
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