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The Future of Space Exploration after Columbia (February 7, 2003, One)

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Program Summary

When the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated on February 1, the greatest loss was the lives of the seven astronauts. Does it also mean the end of the space program? Some critics of NASA say space missions are too costly both in monetary and human terms and should be discontinued. Another faction believes that manned space flight should be continued, but with an emphasis on exploration rather than carrying cargo back and forth to the space station, which could be done using robotic crafts. Ira and his guests discuss the pros and cons of human-piloted missions, and callers weigh in with a variety of opinions.

Beyond acting as a “space truck,” the shuttle has served as a unique laboratory. Experiments that could not be conducted on Earth because of gravity could be carried out in the weightless atmosphere of the plane; the insulin pump, for example, was developed from a microgravity experiment. Hundreds of experiments have been done over the years, and students from all over the world designed many of them. A pre-school sent seeds up in space to see if they would “grow funny” when they came back; middle school students were interested in finding out if mold grows differently in space than on Earth. NASA hopes that having the opportunity to be directly involved in the space program at a young age will spark children's desires to pursue careers in space-related fields and keep the program alive.

Guests

Eligar Sadeh, assistant professor in thespace studies department, Odegard School of Aerospace Sciencesat the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota

Louis Friedman, executive director of the Planetary Society in Pasadena, California

Related Links and Resources

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Time.com, February 10, 2003: “The Space Shuttle Must Be Stopped”
European Space Agency
The Planetary Society
The Mars Society
NASA Human Space Flight: International Space Station
NASA: FY 2004 Budget Information
National Public Radio, February10, 2003: “Special Coverage: Space Shuttle Columbia”
“Science Friday,” December 17, 2002: The Future of Space Travel
SPACE.com's Something Amazing Every Day

For Discussion:

• What's your opinion about continuing the space program? Do you think NASA should concentrate more on using robots instead of humans on space flights? Do you think it should continue as is? Do you think we should give up on space exploration completely?
• Are you interested in being an astronaut? Has the Columbia accident caused you to reconsider?
• Do you think humans will ever live on other planets? Do you think we'll need to?
• What are some products and technologies that have come from space research?
• What would be an interesting experiment to send on a shuttle?

Activities

Express yourself. NASA addresses the world's children about the Columbia tragedy at “A Message to Our Nation's Youth”. Students are encouraged to write to NASA and express their feelings and opinions. These sites also provide information about becoming an educator astronaut (teacher in space).

Einstein, Jr. Have your students design a space experiment for NASA's consideration. Get background on the program at NASA.com’s: “Students Learn Science Through Experiments in Space Experiment Modules.”

Get involved. NASA provides an incredible number of programs that give students and teachers opportunities to be part of its mission. NASA Electronic Fieldtrips describes classroom units that involve videoconferencing with NASA scientists, engineers, and astronauts.

Use the search box below to perform a Google search within any of the specifc sites or general domains mentioned in this Activities section.

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