Ad Astra: My Unavoidable trip to the Kennedy Space Center

As a child, I think that the biggest thing you can grow into astronauts. I know that it sounds cliché, but when I’m still in elementary school, I don’t think there is a bigger call. Most of my love for science fiction comes from space exploration.

There is something about mystical challenging extreme danger from space and returning safely, that is the coldest. Names like Aldrin, Shepard, Lovell, and even their Soviet Cosmonic colleagues, Yuri Gagarin, is my world giant. Let’s talk a little about why.

The right item

I believe now, as I did at the time, that astronauts and what they did represented the best of us. Astronaut itself embodies peak intelligence, physical and mental discipline, courage, commitment and willingness to encourage the boundaries of what we think is possible. On a strange occasion that astronauts, first or now, have to read this blog, you are the stars in my sky. Truly. The same applies to many scientists, engineers, and technical specialists who help realize everything.

The space program, on the other hand, is the culmination of our biggest scientific, technology, and technical efforts in sustainable efforts to satisfy our curiosity about the universe around us – curiosity that will never be completely fulfilled. In essence, this is our best people, doing the best jobs, for the biggest reason. This is the most noble part of our great humanity. Yes, I know I might put it a little thick, but I really believe that.

Two centers of room

While I have lived in Texas throughout my life, the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston is quite far from where I go to school so we never go there as part of the field visit. This is a place handled by James Lovell when he says “Houston, we have problems here” during the Apollo 13 mission. Only as an adult I have to sit in the spectacle, among the original Red Velveteen chairs facing the mission control where Lovell’s message was accepted. I have been there several times now, and I can’t be inspired every time I leave. Houston is not exactly in my backyard, but this is a weekend trip, like going there to go to the Texas Renaissance Festival (yes, from the documentary), or one of the many excellent museums there.

However, the part of NASA that I have never visited until now is the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Cape Canaveral, Florida, where Mercury and Apollo’s missions, only for a few names, were launched from the beginning. Rocket is still launched from there today, although now commercial rockets from Blue Origin, Space X, and others are also on the lineup.

For me, this is a place where the rubber meets the Space Program proverb. This is the stage in which everything happened, both the towering achievements of Apollo 11 and the Apollo tragedy 1. Following up the aspirations of President Kennedy to place a man in the moon none other than the victory of the human spirit.

Perhaps the most obvious symbol of this is Saturn V rocket, which is the key to the mission of the moon. If you have never seen it before, that Hugh. Letters as high as a 30 -storey building, higher than the statue of Liberty, when you see this rocket, you begin to get an overview of what is needed to get to the moon. The difference between the Saturn’s giant superstructure and the command module that is almost very small at the very top cannot be trusted. Very humble to stand under the shadow of this Titan and begin to understand the number of scientists, engineers, construction specialists, and other personnel needed to design and build something like that.

Now, I am not blind to the driving force behind the initial space program and better points than space competitions, but when I look up Saturn V, I only see the best humanity. The same type of feeling when I see a shuttle. Well, KSC has a shuttle -SEPAH Atlantis (OV-104) Also, and seeing it closely is a strong experience.

It’s strange; The shuttle is bigger and smaller than I thought. Still, I can only stand there, staring at him for a long time. You can still see holes and scars on the back of the back tiles, near the booster, made of micro -et. Even writing about it makes me shudder.

Just like my trip to Graceland, I think I was on my way to KSC for a very long time, long before I knew exactly why or could even find it on the map. I thought my trip to JSC and, in the end, KSC could not be avoided, and I could not wait to return one day.

The next generation

Of course, there are a number of interactive experiences and displays that are scattered around the KSC, even some rides that you can do that simulate the exploration of space. Just like JSC in Houston, I must have the impression that many attractions are intended for school and family field visits with children.

I am happy that. The younger generation deserves to have an interesting and inspirational vision about space, astrophysics, and exploration just like me. I mean, I grew up by eating astronaut ice cream and drinking pliers, and I never doubted how important the space program was for all of us. Not only us in the United States, but also We all.

Why this is important

I have heard the argument that opposed everything, of course. I even understand where this argument came from. Usually they go like this: How can we be able to spend time, business, and money for space goods when we have many problems here at home?

For me, that’s the wrong question, which leads to: How we can No to? We can talk about real things that are directly caused by space programs such as pliers mentioned above, non-stick layers for pots and pans, and so on, but many advances that we enjoy today, such as computers, cellphones, internet, have roots in pursuing space.

But more than that, consider this: The space program is a catalyst for science and technology No war. This is a peaceful way for us to learn more about life, the universe, and everything. Space is also one of the few fields in which countries that are actively hostile to the land can still work together there.

Last thought

Space is the only place where mankind can really unite for all improvement. At least, that’s how, and I hope this continues that way. I know that it sounded a little pie-in-the-sky, and maybe that, but that was one of the reasons why the space program was very resonating with me. This is the best of us, exploring the unknown, and uniting in a common goal.

And what can be more humane than that?

Thank you for reading.