|
The moon missions were conceived during the 'Cold War' between the United States and the U.S.S.R. It was a time of paranoia; the Soviet Empire was seen by the west as a communist menace, attempting to spread its dictatorial way of life around the globe. The U.S. had fallen behind in space exploration; the Soviets seemed to have bigger and better rockets (at least, ones that didn't explode every time they launched one, as the U.S.'s did). The U.S.S.R. had put the first man in orbit, and the first woman. One of their astronauts was the first to 'walk' in space. So as a matter of national pride, and prestige for the United States as the leader of the 'free world', the idea of a 'space race', to be the first country to land a man on the moon, was hatched. Despite these less than noble beginnings, the decade that saw the United States emerge as the world leader in space exploration proved to be the most beneficial decade in its existance. The vast technological and industrial base that had to be built in the country, the research and development that went on in industries around the nation, and the vast wealth and soaring employment that accompanied this growth, all served to thrust America into the role as a world leader in technological development. The spinoffs from this pursuit of technological growth (a pursuit necessary to win not only the 'space race', but the war in Vietnam as well), were enormous. Computer technology, calculators, miniaturization in electronics, materials science, fuel technology, and numerous other features of our lives today, all owe their beginnings to this decade of growth. What have we learned from a scientific standpoint? Well, we certainly know a lot more about the moon than we did before, although only about six small areas. More important by far is the fact that we made the leap into space, and in one fashion or another, are there to stay. With the right investment (and a lot of foresight) in the next few decades, our presence in space could bring about revolutions in manufacturing, medicines, and the energy industry! But that's a subject for another time... |