To Infinity and Beyond

NASA is preparing to launch today what could be one of the most significant spacecraft in the history of the space program. The Ares 1-X is the rocket that is slated to replace the aging space shuttle fleet that is due to be retired by September 2010. That is of course provided that the rocket even gets off the ground. Budget cuts to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has left the space agency with a shoestring budget by which they are expected to not only maintain America's foothold in space but also ensure that it continues beyond the orbital space station and eventually back to the moon, then Mars and eventually beyond. But now it's seeming more and more likely that the situation that existed with Russia at the tail end of the 20th Century may become the reverse in the early 21st Century.

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Russian space program was in shambles and the only way for them to continue making progress in space exploration was to join their one time rivals, the Americans. Going it alone was no longer an option and both space programs began a period of mutual cooperation meant to help foster increased presence in space. But as the economies of the world changed and priorities shifted, it became clear that people began to see less appeal in space and space exploration and more on more earth-bound concerns the appeal of NASA has waned. Oh sure there is still interest in going to the moon and such but not if it is going to cost the taxpayers money.

So the development of the Ares 1-X was meant to provide a more economical way to get cargo and astronauts to and from orbit. The space shuttle was meant to serve that purpose and it did so ably for a number of years but the capability that was expected (it was assumed that the shuttle would take off on a mission, land and be ready to lauch again within weeks rather than the actual months it takes) never materialized and that meant that the shuttle ate up funds and eventually began to age. Now space shuttle flights are seen as commonplace and other than the few of us who really care about the space program, it is almost a mundane occurence. NASA is hopeful that the Ares program will help bolster interest again.

The rocket that is supposed to launch today is a mockup of what the final rocket will look like. Today's flight is meant to test whether the rocket will fly or not and whether all the calculation and computer simulation performed to this point will prove to be correct. I'm hopeful that it will be a successful flight because continued exploration of space is something that I feel should continue to be a goal of our country. The results for science and in our understanding of the world can only increase if the space program continues. But the only way I see that happening is if suddenly the 'threat' of a Chinese space program with a firm foothold in the stars is established. Then and only then will we suddenly hear calls to lead the space race again.

At this point the Chinese have already launched a handful of manned space missions in Earth orbit but it won't be long before they are finally able to launch longer range missions. But rather than waiting until some sort of competitive drive compels us to keep on exploring space, I think we should maintain a steady pace and keep on moving forward. I'm hopeful that with today's launch of the Ares 1-X that we see an increased interest among our youth for exploration of space and in the development of larger, faster and more capable spacecraft. We certainly shouldn't give up on exploring the larger universe if we don't have to.