Blog Post #7: NASA Space Exploration "When We Left Earth"

Space exploration dates back to the mighty space race between the United States and Russia. "When We Left Earth" is a miniseries that documents the achievements of American spaceflight from the very beginning with the first Mercury flights, through the Gemini program, and finally to the Apollo moon landings and construction of the International Space Station (ISS). Traveling to space took a variety of trials before success was reached. Different missions accomplished different goals, and through ever mistake and mishap NASA learned new information that would only help them grow.

Exploring the unknown is a process. Humans were not even the first living organisms to visit space. The  Russians launched dogs, while the United States used chimpanzees. With success from these trials, humans were able to discover more knowledge about what would happen to a living body in space. Now the question was: who to send? Stuntmen were originally considered, but NASA wanted the best of the best to be sent to space, which required potential astronauts to undergo a series of difficult tests. 

Once selection was complete, more trials and dry runs were necessary in order to efficiently test equipment, practice skills, and apply what the astronauts knew to a real-er situation in order to be better prepared for space. These tests and first-goes were not always successful, which helped add to NASA's knowledge for space exploration and amend their faults. The Mercury flights introduced the nation to astronauts and their journey into space as part of America's first human space flight program. The Gemini flights were necessary to adjust astronauts to long duration flights, learn effective methods for docking and maneuvering in space, perfect the process of landing spacecraft at pre-selected points, and gain more information on the effects weightlessness has on the body, especially for long periods of time. And finally, the Apollo flights were designed with the main goal of landing a human being on the moon, and bringing them safely back to Earth. 

Through all the trials and tribulations astronauts were subject to, each mission can be seen as a progressive step for new information about space exploration. Although not all trials and runs were successful, each was important for NASA's development and learning of life in the void. Each series of missions was designed to complete a different task that would add to the knowledge of space travel, and allow humans to continue their pursuit into the unknown.     

"One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

  

Blog Post #6: Got Space?

Our projects this quarter center around the topic of space. This is the first quarterly project I am completing by myself, and I have to say I am quite excited! Space has always been an interesting subject to me, and recently, over the summer, I read a book by Mary Roach called Packing For Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void. Roach discussed astronauts in all their glory throughout their achievements into space. She explained procedures candidates had to undergo in order to become astronauts, and gained inside knowledge on what space is really like through interviews and simulations with the astronauts who succeeded. The hardship astronauts must endure not only in space, but in training as well, sounds unimaginable. Experiencing what the astronauts felt and what was running through their minds as they journeyed into the mysteries beyond Earth was fascinating! I learned so much from the book (like cross astronaut off my list of future employment...), and was inspired enough to produce a project based off of Mary Roach's piece. 

The purpose of my project is to bring the honor associated with astronauts back to society. During the great space race with the Russians, Americans admired and appreciated the work of astronauts, and all of their courage traveling to the unknown. However, after the defeat of the Russians, space was still fascinating and pursued, but astronauts lost the veneration, fame, and respect they once received. These heroes still undergo unbelievable challenges and endure pains just so the world can learn. I plan to discuss these challenges faced, as well as, all of the preparations and procedures astronauts follow before space, in space, and after space. 

Not just anyone can become an astronaut. There are numerous tests that candidates must endure before they are even considered or selected into the top group for space travel. Even then, most astronauts do not leave the simulation rooms. Only the best of the best are allowed to journey into space. One must not only be physically fit and able to handle various simulations, but also mentally prepared for the challenge of being trapped in a small capsule for long periods of time with the same people. Personality is key because if someone is not level headed or able to "keep their cool" under frustrating situations, the mission will not be completed and problems could occur.   

Astronauts are the best of the best. They endure immense physical and emotion pressure on their minds and bodies, and travel into unknown realms that should scare the waste out of anyone! They have courage, bravery, and are fearless as they journey into space and bring back information about our planet and the universe around us. They are heroes.