Hard to believe Thursday will mark 50 years since the launching of Sputnik, the little man-made satellite that is commonly said to have started the Space Age. Actually, as NASA archives indicate, the story starts a bit earlier.
Anyway, I clearly remember the excitement over the historic feat and listening to Sputnik's "beeps" played on radio and TV. The news media was quick to point out the military implications of the Russian feat, and soon the start of the Space Age morphed into the start of the Space Race.
I find it interesting to reflect that both the US and Russia had a scientific interest in launching satellites in 1957, the International Geophysical Year, during which a great deal of solar activity was expected.
The International Space Station is commendably a multi-national effort. But, as the Space Race has faded as a pressing domestic concern, I am concerned that valid scientific and technology opportunities do not seem to be driving a national consensus as to how to shape our national space program.
As the space shuttle nears the end of its service, I recall that its design was influenced by politics - and a desire to keep costs down; hence reliance on reusable solid rockets.
Hopefully safety will get more consideration in the design of future US spacecraft.
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