Will it take another "Sputnik Moment" to rejuvenate America's Space Program?
Lost in the news over the economic crisis in Europe and the debt ceiling debate in the United States was the unceremonious end of NASA’s space shuttle program.
When Atlantis touched down in Florida just before dawn on July 21, there were no marching bands or boastful speeches, and the small crowds at the Kennedy and Johnson space centers were composed mainly of NASA workers and their families. In fact, the ending of the shuttle program barely merited a mention on the network news.
After 135 flights in 30 years, the space shuttles are now history, and there is a good chance America’s leadership in space flight and technology will be ceded to others. American astronauts wanting to visit the International Space Station — which the U.S. bankrolled — will have to hitch rides aboard relatively low-tech Russian space capsules.
The irony of the situation is mind boggling when you realize that America embarked on the “space race” more than 50 years ago in response to the Soviet Union’s launch of its Sputnik orbiter in 1958. In 1960, John F. Kennedy vowed to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade — a challenge America answered. The rest, as they say, is history.
Now, we’ve abandoned our human space program, and we’re hitching rides on Russian spacecraft.
In 2005, President Bush’s Constellation program refocused NASA’s budget to utilizing the moon as a scientific research station and base for deep space exploration. Scientists would gain experience operating away from Earth’s environment, develop new technologies, and the lower gravity would save fuel and reduce the cost of launching future missions to Mars and beyond.
But last year, President Obama basically nixed the human space program because of budgetary concerns. He wants the private sector to eventually transport astronauts to space. But there is no plan for how we transition from NASA to commercial space flight. Instead of sending astronauts into space, Obama wants to focus NASA on robotic space missions.
The fallout of abandoning our human space program could reach into our homes and classrooms.
Much of the technology we take for granted today — TV and weather satellites, waterproof fabric, vacuum-sealed foods, GPS, no-fog ski goggles, personal computers, smart phones and iPods — all have their roots in the space program.
History Of Mathamatics - News
After 135 flights in 30 years, the space shuttles are now history, and there is a good chance America's leadership in space flight and technology will be ceded to others. American astronauts wanting to visit the International Space Station — which the
With such irresistible chapter titles as “Accidents Don't Happen to Crucifixes” and “The Man Who Taught Himself to Swim by Reading,” the book is not only for lovers of science, but of language (and history), as well. Everyone can do math. Really.
I have previously noted with approval the comment by Roger Bootle, currently managing director of Capital Economics, that risk managers would do well to read less mathematics and more history and literature. I suspect, however, that he was not thinking
Courses scheduled for the August Intersession are government, history, health, physical ED/recreation, humanities, mathematics, nursing and psychology. Government will meet Monday through Friday from 8 am to 12 pm in room 104 of the Music Building.
One theory is that young girls have traditionally been taught that math and science are for boys, while they should focus more on literature and writing. Many women in STEM professions say more women need to pursue careers in these fields. History is
A Quick History of Mathematics
I have started today to revisit my passion for Mathematics. To me, math is nothing more than the use of ”symbols” to express relationships between “things” in the most simple of ways.
History Of Mathamatics - Bookshelf
History of mathematics
Volume 2 of an unusually clear and readable 2-volume history — from Egyptian papyri and medieval maps to modern graphs and diagrams.A short account of the history of mathematics
The first period is that of the history of mathematics under Greek influence, this is discussed in chapters n. to Vii. : the second is that of the ...A history of mathematics, from Mesopotamia to modernity
Using history to teach mathematics, an international perspective
This volume brings together articles from well known figures in this area, and provides many insights, both in particular cases and in generality, into how the ...Writing the history of mathematics, its historical development
As an historiographic monograph, this book offers the first detailed survey of the professional evolution and significance of an entire discipline devoted to ...Helpful Guide Directory
History of Mathematics: India
A concise history of science in India. Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, 1971. ... Chattopadyaya, D. History of Science and Technology in Ancient India: ...
User:Paul August/Bibliography - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[edit] History of mathamatics. Boyer, Carl B., A History of Mathematics, ... Thucydides; The History of the Peloponnesian War, translated by Sir Richard ...
Mesopotamian Mathematics
The mathematics of ancient Mesopotamia, from Sumer to Babylon ... David Joyce's History of Mathematics site has a Babylonian page which includes a map, a brief bibliography, ...
Open Directory - Science: Math: History: People
University of St. Andrews: Biography Index - Names are listed alphabetically or by date, ... History of Mathematics - Online texts of historic mathematical people, ...
SparkNotes: Decimals: Place Value and Comparing Decimals
A summary of Place Value and Comparing Decimals in 's Decimals. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of Decimals and what it means. ...