Demise of Space Exploration

By Ronald E. Hignight

It was recently disclosed that, by way of Presidential Advisory Policy, a decision has been reached to set aside NASA’s Constellation program which had set a goal, among other things, to work towards establishing a manned lunar station. The program has been set aside in favor of a “Flexible Path” strategy calling for the development of technologies but not setting any particular goal or destination.

Flexible Path strategy may help NASA to become an ‘engine of innovation’, as urged by its new Administrator Charles Bolden; but, something has been lost. I do not abide with the former Administrator Michael Griffin’s statement that it is a ‘stupid strategy’ which is neither productive nor efficient; but, I do lament the loss of what space exploration seems to be all about – and that is, in a word, wonder.

I have always deemed myself lucky to have been born in a time when space travel came into being. I watched with utter fascination, the launch of Sputnik, America’s un-manned and manned flights and as our heroes flew the dark heavens ultimately visiting the Moon. I watched with pride as astronauts returned to Earth after meaningful and productive excursions in the Shuttles and was bedazzled by the new things uncovered by the space station and Hubble.

The ‘giant leap for mankind’ is as much a part of my psyche as any other incident of American citizenship. Exploration of space is, in my mind, clean; we no longer speak in terms of conquering space. Space exploration does not destroy while achieving its goals. Space travel and knowledge of the universe is something that everyone can take pride in achieving. It is always, and forever shall be, about wonder.

Without some firm goal or destination, I find it hard to find that feeling of wonderment. I know the ‘flexible path’ is expedient and that space exploration is terribly difficult to justify as against the domestic needs in our present economy. I do not doubt the need for change; but, I will lament the passing of the wonder spawned by our goal driven exploration of space.