Another, rambling philosophical post.
A Brief History
In the late 1800's, 'experts' proclaimed that human flight was IMPOSSIBLE. Yet, in 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright, two brothers with a humble bicycle shop in Ohio, proved the experts wrong at Kitty Hawk.
A mere 58 years later President John F Kennedy threw down the challenge... that the United States would endeavor to develop the technologies to reach the Moon within 9 years. That was true, inspired LEADERSHIP and, I believe it is safe to say that America was a great and respected nation.
A Brief History
In the late 1800's, 'experts' proclaimed that human flight was IMPOSSIBLE. Yet, in 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright, two brothers with a humble bicycle shop in Ohio, proved the experts wrong at Kitty Hawk.
A mere 58 years later President John F Kennedy threw down the challenge... that the United States would endeavor to develop the technologies to reach the Moon within 9 years. That was true, inspired LEADERSHIP and, I believe it is safe to say that America was a great and respected nation.
In just 8 years the United States achieved what humanity had only dreamed of for more than 800. In July of 1969, Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon. I was fortunate to see the landing.
At the time, I had just enrolled in Engineering School and was working two jobs to make ends meet. I I was working at a local small grocery/delicatessen. My main job was to slice slimy, gelatinous cold cuts (and clean up the deli slicer) but I also did stock and washed the floors.
So, imagine skinny Mr. Terra at a working-class deli on da sout’ side a Chicago telling Stella, the silver-haired, Polish immigrant Owner, that this would be a historic night. Telling her I was sad and disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to see the most historic moment in human history.
A little later, her elderly Greek husband, Gus, (who barely spoke English) dragged a small (maybe 11 inch) black and white TV down to the store and set it up on the Deli counter. It had rabbit ears with aluminum foil for Christ-sake!.
I don’t know how old Gus was (probably about my age now… I am sad to say) but he seemed as ancient as a Greek God and could not stand upright for very long. He stacked a couple of metal-wire milk-crates to sit on.
When the moment arrived. Everyone in the store just took a break and watched Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon on that tiny black-and-white TV. No one was more proud than old Gus. He was a fossil and he barely spoke any English, but he loved this country more than most young people of today.
A Loss Of Leadership
Ms. Terra and I are both tech geeks with an interest in Space Exploration.
Twelve years ago we went down to Cape Canaveral for STS-133, the last flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery. It was supposed to be the last ever Shuttle flight but NASA subsequently decided to send Atlantis on one final flight (STS-134).
That was the end of human space exploration for the United States.
Artemis 1
Artemis 1 is the first un-crewed (we cannot say unmanned anymore) mission of the Artemis program to return to the Moon.
Ms. Terra and I were lucky to get tickets to see the Artemis launch from the Kennedy Space Center KSC). We were disappointed that they scrubbed the first two attempts but we went back to KSC to see the spectacular night launch on November 16th.
It has been 53 years since Neil Armstrong landed and the Moon. It will be another three to five years before Artemis 3 which has the goal of landing the first woman and the fist POC on the Moon.
Ms. Terra and I are both tech geeks with an interest in Space Exploration.
Twelve years ago we went down to Cape Canaveral for STS-133, the last flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery. It was supposed to be the last ever Shuttle flight but NASA subsequently decided to send Atlantis on one final flight (STS-134).
That was the end of human space exploration for the United States.
Artemis 1
Artemis 1 is the first un-crewed (we cannot say unmanned anymore) mission of the Artemis program to return to the Moon.
Ms. Terra and I were lucky to get tickets to see the Artemis launch from the Kennedy Space Center KSC). We were disappointed that they scrubbed the first two attempts but we went back to KSC to see the spectacular night launch on November 16th.
It has been 53 years since Neil Armstrong landed and the Moon. It will be another three to five years before Artemis 3 which has the goal of landing the first woman and the fist POC on the Moon.
As I write this, Artemis is in orbit around the moon and taking some spectacular pictures.
Conclusion
This is certainly a great day for NASA and for Space Enthusiasts around the world.
However, I must point out that it took only 66 years from the first feeble flight at Kitty Hawk to landing the first man on the surface of the Moon. It will take about 56 years for NASA to repeat that historic accomplishment.
When JFK challenged us to greatness no one could envision the enormous technological advances that would emerge. Integrated circuits, micro-computers, digital communications, advanced sensors and novel materials. Advances that propelled our economy and prosperity for more than 30 years.
It seems that our accomplishments in recent decades have degenerated to Facebook, live streaming of porn on OnlyFans and massively profitable pharmaceuticals for self-inflicted health problems and exaggerated pandemics.
I do not mean to end this post on a down-note. I hope that Artemis is a sign that America (and the world) is willing to seek challenge and adventure again.
Four hundred years ago, America was the New World.. a world of freedom where anything became possible. Today the people on the left tell us that America is a fundamentally evil nation of colonizers.
Well, I believe that colonizers are explorers, pioneers and inventors. It is my deep hope that the young people of today will turn away from the narcissistic self loathing of the left and embrace the
challenge of creating another New World. A world to be explored and colonized... a world of infinite human possibility and freedom.
Have a Great Thanksgiving everyone!! AND DON'T PANIC.
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