Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Space... The Final Frontier

Last night, at 19.38pm (British Summer Time), the Discovery Space Shuttle took off! Why am I bothering to mention this on my blog? Well, I think its a very exciting moment when a shuttle in launched into space, and I made sure to watch it live on NASA TV.

Unfortunatly, people just don't seem too bothered about it anymore. Too many people think its a waste of money, and totally pointless. I think the excitement of space exploration dulled a bit when man landed on the moon in 1969 and people realised it wasnt the exciting place everyone had been hoping for. The public just don't seem to see the bigger picture. Space Exploration is essential, and must continue for the sake of humankind. What was once science-fiction is now science-fact and I for one hope that NASA and the various other space organisations around the world continue to boldly go.

The Discovery launch yesterday was only the second shuttle launch since the Columbia tragedy in 2003. Challenger and Columbia were both tragic accidents, and whats even more tragic is that if you ask anyone to name just one crew member from both missions, they haven't a clue. They are more likely to know the full names of the current England football squad.... how sad!!!

: - Challenger --- Mike Smith, Dick Scobee, Ron McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Christa McAuliffe, Greg Jarvis, and Judith Resnik

: - Columbia --- Rick Husband,William McCool,Michael Anderson,David Brown,Kalpana Chawla,Laurel Blair Salton Clark and Ilan Ramon

These people should never be forgotten for their bravery, and their commitment to space exploration. These people are legends and with every launch of a shuttle, their memories live on and will continue to do so. If it wasn't for people like them who are paving the way for the future of humankind, we'd all be stuck here on Earth, perhaps just sitting waiting for an asteroid or meteor to come crashing down and wiping us all out!!!

No comments:

Post a Comment