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Guest Commentary July 2, 2002
Space Programs Touch All of Our Lives
The Honorable Chuck Hagel
In 1969 when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon and spoke the historic words, "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" he was not only reaching into time, but he was exactly right. Exploring space is bigger then walking on the moon -- space exploration expands our base of knowledge, advances science and medicine, and provides us with practical products for the enhancement of our everyday lives. The exploration of space has spurred incredible advances of technology in all fields.
The innovation that propels our space program forward and helps our astronauts do their jobs more efficiently doesn't stop when a mission is completed. Researchers continue to work with technology and scientists to harness the new rewards from space exploration.
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The medical spinoffs of technology developed for space research and programs improve and prolong our lives by aiding in the detection and treatment of diseases. Technology originally created to better understand airflow over airplane wings has been transferred into a portable, non-invasive fetal heart monitor. This advancement lowers fetal mortality by making prenatal care more accessible for expectant mothers who live in remote areas or otherwise have trouble traveling to a doctor's office. Medical researchers are currently using the same silica aerogel that insulated Mars Pathfinder's Sojourner rover to grow lung cells and study DNA. We will live longer and healthier lives due to space exploration.
Agriculture has also been subject to the innovations in space. Last year NASA announced a commercial partnership that allows placement of advanced global positioning technologies in farm equipment. The technology is used to help farmers navigate fields in poor weather and at night. Farmers can now use Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment on their tractors, which can guide them to specific spots where crops are not growing well. This book-size device that hooks to a round antenna on top of a tractor reduces duplication, expenses, cuts fuel costs and helps the driver stay on course at night or in bad weather.
The military uses space technology to track troops during military combat. The new tracking system called the Grenadier Beyond Line of Site Reporting and Targeting (BRAT) is able to track friendly forces and ultimately save lives. BRAT is being used in Afghanistan by individual soldiers, ground vehicles and helicopters. Space exploration is engaged in our war on terrorism.
Not only have we seen unprecedented technological advances, but our daily dependence on satellites is now taken for granted. The more than 700 active satellites currently orbiting the earth play a dominant role in our everyday lives -- far more than we realize.
Life has been greatly enhanced because of the technologies and materials originally developed for the space program. Each year, about a thousand innovations developed through our space program find their way into earthly technology -- better kitchen appliances, the ear thermometer, smoke detectors, bar codes, medical equipment, and weather forecasting tools. Space exploration continues to teach us more about our universe and improve our lives. Neil Armstrong could not have imagined 30 years ago the magnitude of the contributions to mankind he would make with his walk on the moon.
Chuck Hagel, a Republican, is a U.S. Senator from Nebraska. The above commentary has been adapted from a weekly column Sen. Hagel issued, April 11, 2002. To contact him, Click Here.
The above column has been distributed by PoliticsOL.com.
