What Price the Stars?
Charles White, a retired veteran of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, expresses his unease with the recent trend of private spaceflight, particularly a mission carrying a teacher and celebrities. He finds the timing and optics poor given concurrent science funding cuts and teacher layoffs.
White reflects on past tragedies like the Challenger disaster, emphasizing that space exploration should not prioritize spectacle over the serious and potentially risky nature of space travel.
He contrasts the current celebratory approach with a time when space missions were solemn acts of service. White fears that the focus has shifted from genuine awe and scientific advancement to mere applause and entertainment, driven by billionaires rather than public institutions.
He advocates for a more purposeful and responsible approach to reaching for the stars, one that values educators and scientists.
Original Article
Glad They’re Home Safe. But Still.
What Price the Stars? A personal reflection on space tourism, spectacle, and the cost of forgetting why we explore.
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