The story about the Galileo probe (Main news, Dec. 7) hopefully brought some people’s attention back to the space program.
I keep hearing stories about how funding for NASA research and the space program are being yanked away. I don’t understand this. It’s not like we’ve had this program for centuries; we’ve only had it for a few decades, and look how much we have learned about our solar system in that short time.
Technology is advancing rapidly right now, and to implement these new technologies would be very beneficial for the country. Up in space they can make nearly flawless crystals, and these could be used to make computer chips. While they wouldn’t have a mass-market appeal, they could be used for supercomputers, etc.
Sure, satellites will still be deployed for government operations and companies who have enough money to send them up. But to keep progressing with the research and launches and high-powered telescopes would be good for everyone.
Let’s hope movies like “Apollo 13” will not only make people remember the struggles we had to go through to make it this far but also will inspire people to tell Congress to keep funding for NASA and its projects. Who knows where we will end up in 50 years? I can’t wait to find out.
