20 July 1969 my father told me to watch the television because men had got to the moon...look see them....they're on the moon!
I was four years old...but I still can remember the little TV and the funny jumping man.
I have been interested in space ever since then...I read Sci Fi when there was nothing else to read in the children's section of the library.
The moon landings inspired a generation to learn about space and scientific careers were applauded. What happened to the dreams of a generation?
Only 12 men have walked on the moon. At the height of moon exploration time NASA said "We'll be on Mars by 1987...."
But the space programme all but stalled and is stuttering along now. They are planning on going back to the moon around 2020... Mars maybe 2030...
The Altair lunar lander is envisioned with two stages: The descent stage will house the majority of the fuel, power supplies, and breathing oxygen for the crew. The ascent stage will house the astronauts, life-support equipment, and fuel for the ascent stage motor and steering rockets. The lander will carry a crew of four and be able to stay on the moon for up to six months. Altair will be capable of landing with 15 to 17 metric tons of dedicated cargo. The first crewed flight is scheduled for 2020.- Quote from NASA
The space exploration fervour seems to have all but disappeared.
Who cares? We must!
Who cares? We must!
"Humanities future lies in space," says Stephen Hawking.
Hawking, in an exclusive CNN interview, said that if humans can survive the next 200 years and learn to live in space, then our future will be bright.
"I believe that the long-term future of the human race must be in space," said Hawking, who is almost completely paralyzed by the illness ALS.
"It will be difficult enough to avoid disaster on planet Earth in the next 100 years, let alone next thousand, or million. The human race shouldn't have all its eggs in one basket, or on one planet. Let's hope we can avoid dropping the basket until we have spread the load."
"I believe that the long-term future of the human race must be in space," said Hawking, who is almost completely paralyzed by the illness ALS.
"It will be difficult enough to avoid disaster on planet Earth in the next 100 years, let alone next thousand, or million. The human race shouldn't have all its eggs in one basket, or on one planet. Let's hope we can avoid dropping the basket until we have spread the load."
It's time to relight the torches...onwards and upwards...
maureen ( this post is dedicated to all the space geeks who write for children....if we have a small part in the future of space exploration by inspiring children to follow the dream I will be satisfied with my earthbound life.)
pic- Buzz, Neil and Michael leaning against a moon lander 1969 (on earth)
3 comments:
I'm celebrating with you over on this side of the world! Have a great moon day!
Its hard to replicate the buzz (whoops sorry freudian slip)of that very first landing. Maybe we took that first step too soon and we could never follow up quickly enough with what needed to happen next...we can do it now but the public's enthusiasm has shifted elsewhere (their own navels I think)...
word verification - bugumat - I want one!
Tip of the hat to my fellow geeks!
I think there was a lack of focus and a lack of resources at a critical time and 'space' just fell off the public interest list- after all if there are no new achievements to celebrate why bother with space.... We use products first designed for use in 'space' everyday.
One of the more stunning facts for me about the moon landing is that the computer power controlling the launch, landing and return of the astronauts in 1969 was less than in an average digital watch now....
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