Sputnik and the American Edge
EmailThe headline, if you scan the various stories written for this fiftieth anniversary of the space age, seems to be that we no longer live in the space age. We’ve moved on…to the information age, the war on terror, the age of anxiety, or something else, but there’s been a lot of ink (or electrons, or whatever) spent in the last few days on how America’s in danger of losing its edge in technology. Research Corporation, a foundation that promotes science education, has sent out a report warning that "we face the likelihood of losing our global lead in scientific research for the first time in more than half a century." Sounds very similar to what was written after the Sputnik surprise. General Kevin Chilton, a former astronaut who is now commander of the U.S. Strategic Command at Offut Air Force Base, worries about that Chinese anti-satellite test back in January. "The 50th anniversary of Sputnik reminds us of the challenges we face in the space domain," he writes in today’s Los Angeles Times. "When the Soviet satellite terrified our nation, we rose to the challenge and achieved legendary successes in the space race. Although we now enjoy a tremendous advantage in space, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels." Hillary Clinton weighed in too this morning, with an anniversary speech saying we must "end the Bush Administration’s war on science." Her version is HERE; read more HERE. My favorite item, though, is an old clip from the game show "Name that Tune" on October 4, 1957. One of the contestants that night was a young Marine Corps Major named John Glenn. He was teamed with a ten-year-old boy named Eddie Hodges. The producers of a documentary called "Sputnik Mania" sent it to us. In it, Glenn (who would not become an astronaut until 1959) is asked by the emcee what he thinks of the Soviet launch. "Well, to say the least, George, they’re out of this world," he says to polite laughter. He speculates that it could lead to "space travel, or moon travel, something we’ll probably run into, maybe in Eddie’s lifetime here, at least." The camera pans to his teammate. "Eddie, would you like to take a trip to the moon?" the emcee asks. "No sir, I like it fine down here."
Space Station Flies Over Eastern U.S. at Night 
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We’re not realy “losing” our technological edge. We’re selling it for a mess of pottage. I can’t believe the things I’m reading about in the news of how much of ourselves, our very substance as a nation, that we’re selling to foreign powers. There’s no doubt in my mind that this will come back to haunt us in the very near future. Better brush up on your Mandarin, or Cantonese.
Posted by: Andy | October 4, 2007, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm
I actually have no problem with that. I think it’s great that other cultures are wanting to explore space and other sciences and technologies. I think we Americans have become slightly arrogant over the past 50 or so years. To the point where we are now thinking that only we should be in space and be the world’s technological leader. But the cold, hard reality is, that we aren’t anymore, or we probably won’t. We need to start thinking like we’re are part of one species in every aspect of life, and not think of ourselves as just the U.S.A. and everyone else just lives here.
Posted by: Lawrence | October 4, 2007, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm
The thrust of my comment isn’t that we shouldn’t share, it’s that we’re just selling this stuff off willy-nilly. I’ve been a proponent of sharing since we stole all those V-2′s from the Germans after WWII. If we’d teamed up with the Russians then, we’d have a manned colont on Mars by now.
Posted by: Andy | October 4, 2007, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm
Oh, my comment really wasn’t directed at your’s Andy, we actually posted around the same time. I never saw your post untill after I made mine.
I do agree though, I’m all for sharing. And I too, think that if we’d have teamed with the Russians, we’d be much farther then we are now. I just think that we’ve become a very arrogant and self-centered society. It shows in how we treat each other. Case in point, I was on my way to work after dropping off the kids yesturday. I was getting on the off-ramp of I-64 in VA, behind about 10 cars. There was a mini-van with a lady and a man pushing it off the highway. All 10 cars passed right by them, probably not even looking. I stopped and tied them up to my truck. Yes, I drive a big a*& F-350, an older model. I’m only 24 and can’t afford a new one. I towed them off the highway, mainly for their own safety and just to be a nice guy. I hate to see people in trouble. It irks me. In the process of towing, we were passed by about 5 cars, not even slowing down. I towed them to the gas station as that’s where they were headed anyway. I got out and untied their mini-van and the man got out and asked me “Why? Why doesn’t anyone in this country stop to help?” He was African. I had no answer for him, as I see this all the time and it boggles me as to why people don’t help other people out. And it can’t be entirely a personal safety thing. Even I, a citizen of these United States, didn’t have an answer for this man. He told me that people in his country would stop and help in no time. It was sad really.
Posted by: Lawrence | October 4, 2007, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm
It was probably because he was African. If he’d been a blond cutie, there would have been a line of cars wanting to help.
I regret the attitudes that still prvail in this nation.
Posted by: Andy | October 4, 2007, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm
HAHAHAHA!!!!! You’re absolutely right!!!!
Posted by: Lawrence | October 4, 2007, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
One would ponder where we are technologically when the head of NASA is already predicting that the United States will lose in the latest space race with the Chineses. We suppose to have offworld colonies by now. Technologies to go to Mars have existed for decades, yet humans may not land on the red planet until at least 2030.
Posted by: TH | October 4, 2007, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
Yes, Man may be there, but that might be an ambitious estimate for us. Too much politicking, etc., going on. Priorities all screwed up. No hope of getting things straightened out in time.
Posted by: Andy | October 4, 2007, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
I used to be a big supporter of the space program. But things have changed. There are so many problems we need to fix here on Earth. A few a them like global warming and extremism (both Islamic and Christian), are threatening to end life as we know it on this planet. We need to work together or we shall all surely perish.
Posted by: Leah | October 5, 2007, 4:43 am 4:43 am
All must remember that NASA gets only less than 1% of the national budget. With that they do well but things get cut by prioritization and direction from the government itself. To those that say we have too many problems here….remember, 1% vs. a 35% annual welfare budget with little measurable return to show for it. If you really have a concern, write the White House and your Congressman to increase NASA’s budget, otherwise, losing our edge in space is only the beginning.
Posted by: Vizorsdn | October 5, 2007, 8:41 pm 8:41 pm