thoughts on the news of the day: nasa

hmmm…..

            During the end of the 20^th Century and on into the early 21rst Century, I served a church in the Clear Lake area of Houston, TX.  It was very near the Space Center, where much of the engineering took place for NASA’s projects.  We had several scientists in our congregation who worked at the site. There was a joke we used to say to those folks:  I guess when you want to share some information, you can’t say, “Now I’m not a rocket scientist, but ….” because ….. you are one!"  They were for the most part brilliant and very dedicated to NASA, their country and their work.

            To me, NASA and space travel were magic.  I remember watching the first landing on the moon and thinking how wonderful and magnificent that feat really was.  I remarked to one of the NASA engineers one day how magical space flight seemed to be and he said, “I assure you space travel at NASA is not magic, it is a very scientific and measured system that has to be engineered to perfection.”

            But all of that is now water under the bridge.  NASA is winding down, a workforce of thousands is gearing down to 1,000 or so.  The space shuttle is being retired and no plans are in place for much space travel in the future. 

            It is sad to think that our country can no longer afford the luxury of exploring far and distant lands; sad to think that all of the useful discoveries and inventions will no longer take place.  And it’s sad to think that the good will fostered between countries with the building and maintenance of the space station will no longer be nurtured.

            Surely someone or something will fill in the gap.  After all, how else will we boldly go to places as yet unexplored?

            hmmm…..