A Thesis Statement On Neil Armstrong 's Moon

As President Eisenhower once stated, “Every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed” (qtd in DeGroot). According to Jerry DeGroot, a lecturer in the Department of Modern History at the University of St. Andrews and author of the widely acclaimed biography “Douglas Haig”, every year, the United States federal government funds the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with over $17 billion. When Keith Yost, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), was asked about government funding on NASA, he replied, “NASA is not only spending money, but also the sweat of our laborers, the genius of our scientists, and the hopes of our children.” As a powerhouse in the work industry, NASA is taking away from the remainder of the country. Before venturing off into space, the US needs to realize the importance of tackling the issues that lie before the citizens here on Earth. As Richard Truly, a retired Vice Admiral in the United States Navy, stated in agreement, “...I didn’t go to NASA for the United States to make international commitments that wouldn’t keep, to design space vehicles that will never be built (or will be then fail), or to make promises to the American people that will never be kept.” It would be in the best interest for the citizens of the United States federal government to cut NASA funding.

The year is 1969. Richard M. Nixon’s first year as America’s 37th President has just begun; the Beatles have just released their iconic album and album cover, Abbey Road; most importantly, the Apollo 11 astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., have taken the first step on the moon (“What” 1). Approximately 47 years ago when the world was beginning to modernize and spring to new heights, people’s interest for the place beyond Earth also emerged. This, then, prompted the U.S., amongst several other countries, to begin the race to space, marking the beginning of the long journey of space discoveries. Years later, with several environmentalists counting the days till Earth’s expiration day, it seems necessary that humans find an alternate

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government dedicated to space research and exploration. Since its launch by then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958, the world has come to owe a great deal to NASA for its advances in human curiosity and discovery. NASA requires research and collaboration on a global level, and employs highly-skilled people from a diverse range of backgrounds, including the military, medicine, and various science and engineering fields. It has been esteemed for decades as a leading authority on space science, making breakthroughs including exploring the geology and meteorology of planets and moons, viewing star clusters and neighboring galaxies, participating in the International Space Station, and providing compelling insight on the Earth’s climate in the face of climate change. Recently, the United States federal budget plan for 2017 has been released that significantly lowers NASA’s funding, and it is very problematic. This cut in spending will halt some of the agency’s finest efforts that will benefit the world in a remarkable way. Upon understanding the great work that NASA has achieved, not only should the government not cut spending on the space agency, but increase spending as one of the smartest investments the country has made.

America’s space program is undoubtedly one of its greatest modern achievements. Few people cannot recall the famous quote “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” or do not know where it came from. The story leading up to the moment a man walked on the moon, as well as everything that came after, is just as interesting and important as the moment itself. The significance of the history of America’s aeronautics programs cannot possibly be overestimated, and their story is one that is incredibly important to the modern world of today. It would not be the nation that it is, with the technology it possesses, without its crucial involvement in the “space race”. If the technology that sent a man to the moon did not exist, our daily lives would be impacted and basic tools would be missing. Beginning with America’s first official aeronautics organization, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (or NACA) and continuing through to the present day and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (or NASA), the story of America’s aerospace programs is interesting and extremely important. It is a story that spans many years and giant leaps in technology, and involves important locations like Wallops Flight Facility and Kennedy Space Center. From the early beginnings of NACA and Wallops, and continuing on to the rise and success of NASA and Kennedy Space Center, aeronautics

Fundings dramatically decreased and NASA is still struggling to pay for any advancements. Something must be done to insure the advancements of research

Throughout America’s history, pioneers have ventured into the unknown. After the United States expanded to the Pacific Ocean, people invented machinery to travel into unknown areas. The inventions of Robert H. Goddard and others led to man’s discovery of space, (Launius 18-9). Roger D. Launius, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Chief Historian, recounts, “The combination of technological and scientific advance, the thrill of exploration, political competition with the Soviet Union, and changes in popular opinion about space flight came together in a very specific way in the 1950s to affect public policy in favor of an aggressive space program” (22). The United States had already spent $11.8 billion for space technology, but “the NSC determined that the cost of continuing the programs from 1957 to 1963 would be an additional $36 billion” so that the ICBM [intercontinental ballistic missile] capability would become a reality” (Launius 22). Every year, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration spends billions of dollars for its programs, which is money well spent.

Space technology has helped better our society in technological and inspirational ways. The majority of NASA’s technology has helped improve fields such as medical, transportation,

Fireworks were the first rocket ever invented in China, and the technology kept on advancing. During the World War II, the Nazi Germany saw the potential of long-distance rockets in use of war. This realization made it possible for the Germans to invent 200-mile range V-2 missile, which arched 60 miles high at more than 3,500 miles per hour, and was used to attack London late in World War II. After the World War II, the United States and Soviet Union operated their own missile programs, which later resulted as the Space Race and gave massive impact to the Cold War. The Soviet Union sent the first manned satellite, Vostok 1, into space on April 12, 1961, and Vostok 2, on August 1961, which was the satellite with first whole-day flight. Although US were making progress, they were barely catching up with the rate Russians were advancing. So in 1961, President John F. Kennedy declared a national goal of “landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth within a decade.” And within a decade on July 20, 1969, Astronaut Neil Armstrong took the first on the moon.

“A Renewed Spirit of Discovery” was the title of President Bush’s speech for his vision of new Space Exploration. Since the debate was given on January 14, 2004, it has produced viable concerns from those who support and oppose the initiative. Arguments for and against it have appeared in all types of media, and more importantly in the minds of Americans. This Literature Review will discuss many of these beliefs in order to achieve a well-rounded, objective analysis of the issue. But before any opinions are put forth, it is always important to talk about the relative facts.

NASA has taken many giant leaps in spaceflight since Neil Armstrong first stepped on the moon: The International Space Station was built, multiple rovers were sent to Mars, a spacecraft has landed on an asteroid, and we even have pictures of Pluto for the first time. NASA has accomplished some incredible projects that have inspired many and benefited the entire world with the research it has found. Unfortunately, it has recently encountered some setbacks that make it nearly impossible for the administration to continue in these ambitions. Due to cost, interests, and efficiency, it is time for the private sector to take control of the future of spaceflight.

The concept of space exploration was first introduced to the American public in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy famously stood before congress and vowed that America would put a man on the moon “within the decade.” With hopes of defeating the Soviet Union in the “Space Race” and gaining a leg-up in the Cold War, NASA funding reached its all-time high in 1965-1966 when about four percent of the federal budget was devoted to exploring space. Since then however, funding dedicated to exploring space has nose-dived to about one-half of a percent of the federal budget (Tyson), with plans to cut that figure by an additional $260 million in 2017 (cite NASA funding cuts). Experts in the space-sciences field argue that increased funding in space exploration would re-ignite the American economy and return America to the scientific prominence it was once known for, while, on the other end of the spectrum, naysayers suggest that exploring space is an economic sink-hole that the United States can no longer afford to deposit to given its own earth-bound troubles.

The continued launching of spacecraft by NASA and other national space organizations however, as this essay intends to demonstrate, is an antiquity that is nearing the end of its usefulness. The appropriation of space launch capabilities by the private industry is fundamental to increased accessibility to space; furthermore, it is essential for the long-term health of the scientific pursuits to which NASA is dedicated.

The 20th century was an era of innovation and notable achievements in man’s pursuit to break the bonds of earth’s gravity. In this span of time man went from struggling to make human flight a reality to setting foot on the surface of the moon. The initial endeavor, to launch mankind beyond the stratosphere, began mid way through the century with 2 nations competing for the right to plant their flag on the surface of the moon. The lunar space race gave birth to national aerospace organizations, such as NASA, and inspired dreamers all over the globe for generations. NASA and other aerospace organizations have continued to conduct space bound research but financial budget cuts, growing safety concerns and dwindling support has made space exploration

July 16th, 1969. It’s a peaceful morning at Cape Canaveral with pleasant temperatures and little wind. All is calm. Suddenly, a tremendous roar shatters the morning as the crew of Apollo 11 blast off toward the moon, riding the biggest rocket ever created. Burning 20 tons of explosive fuel a second, it propels Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins into history. The spacecraft lands four days later on the moon. Millions watched as men took the first steps on a strange place 238,900 miles away, or 9 and ½ times around the earth. After placing America’s flag among the lunar rocks, the Apollo 11 crew lit their engines and headed for the small blue sphere we call home, splashing down safely in the ocean and completing Kennedy’s

Many critics believe that NASA and space exploration should not be the main focus of the government. However, NASA is not just about flying rockets and putting men into space. There is science and engineering that is being developed to push humanity forward in life. This space program is essential to answering philosophical questions, creating new technology for practical everyday use, the international collaboration with other countries, and the long-term survival of the human