Last week, the world recognized the 50th anniversary of the former Soviet Union’s first artificial satellite launch into space. Dubbed “Sputnik,” Russian for “fellow traveler,” the small, highly polished aluminum sphere less than two feet in diameter gave a visual and verbal representation to much of the cold war and heated up the space race between the world’s two major powers. I was only four years-old at the time, but I vividly remember everyone in my neighborhood camped on our lawns straining for a glimpse. We were all convinced that our freedom was in peril, and it was a collective wake-up call to scientists, politicians, and citizens alike.
Almost four months later in January 1958, the US launched its first satellite, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was born. By 1969, men were walking on the moon. The amazing journey from Sputnik to the moon propelled us down the pathway to new dimensions of human existence. My generation grew up glued to television sets for every launch and splashdown, and the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo astronauts held a place alongside Elvis, the Beatles, and Mickey Mantle in our collective psyche.
The space-related competition between the US and Soviets led not only to remarkable events occurring outside our atmosphere, but also to benefits in our daily lives which have been nothing short of incredible.
“Space age” became a common phrase in our vernacular, conjuring images of things new, exciting, innovative, wondrous, rewarding, and unique. Link an item or business to space, and people normally show increased interest.
Texas has a particular association with space research and development, supported by the contributions made by the Johnson Space Center. The annual economic impact on Houston and Texas includes billions in total spending and tens of thousands of jobs. The organization provides approximately $72 million in grants and contracts to Texas institutions of higher education and another $44 million to non-profit groups working in the state.
Thousands of items on the market today grew out of space-related research and development since Sputnik. In some cases, the linkages to space are clear, yet there are many other products we have become so accustomed to that we sometimes fail to appreciate any space connection. In fact, today, there are over 30,000 space science spin-offs and technologies that directly benefit those of us whose footprints will never leave this earth.
There are hundreds of important breakthroughs that trace their genesis to the Sputnik trip to space. I’ll just give a few examples. Space-age technology has impacted education and business operations around the world through the advancement of computerized study. Because of satellites, we are better able to predict earth’s weather patterns and climate changes. Space science has also enabled us to boost our national defense with the creation of intercept missiles and the improvement of military monitoring techniques.
Moreover, light-weight, high-strength plastics have resulted from overcoming challenges faced in space as did the development of microwave proof and rechargeable electric heart pacemakers. Benefits are also evident in much of the food we eat as space-age innovations have provided longer shelf lives and highly nutritional products. Of course, when I was a kid, we all drank Tang to be like the astronauts.
Additionally, the creation of improved fireproof materials and water purification techniques should be noted, as well as enhanced life support systems, particularly those related to oceanography. Furthermore, space technology has provided us with the ability to develop high-quality and low-cost modular housing.
Recently, findings from researchers at NASA improved tire deflation techniques to lower the incidence of wrecks in high-speed chases, discovered ways to make flying smoother and safer with early turbulence warnings, and helped doctors diagnose and treat heart disease. NASA researchers even determined that tiny grooves on airline runways could lower the risk of hydroplaning. This technique is now being used at airports around the world, and when implemented on our nation’s highways, can reduce highway accidents by 85%. You can also thank NASA for global beacon locators which have saved more than 13,000 lives worldwide (latest count as of 2002), vital monitoring systems utilized in intensive care and cardiac care units, and the clarity and reliability of your long-distance phone system.
There are, of course, many special categories such as books, movies, clothing fibers, household items, toys, and even gadgets we think we can’t live without that owe their existence to achievements in space over the past half century. While the space program is expensive, the payoff is even bigger as the new discoveries are channeled into the rest of the economy.
When I consider all the economic and life-altering benefits we have received from space, I am reminded of the Field of Dreams movie that starred Kevin Costner. His “if you build it, they will come” belief might well be translated into possibilities created by space science along the lines of “if you imagine it, they will come up with ways to create it.” I look forward to see what “out of this world” benefits are in store for us in the future.