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Jose Zambrano
Dr. Hakala
Writing 10-21
December 7, 2012
A New Frontier:
The Necessity of the Shuttle Program in the United States
It is an astounding anomaly when one single phrase can bring to a nation an illustrious
sense of pride. “That’s one small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind,” these iconic words
by Neil Armstrong, the first American to reach a destination beyond the borders of our planet
proved that limits are merely hurdles in the path of greatness man can achieve. Since its
inception, the Shuttle Program had been exploring the mysterious regions of outer space. Thirty
years after Armstrong walked on the moon, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
sadly terminated the Space Shuttle Program due to government funding complexities. The
closure of the program left many people saying “good riddance,” while a few of us remained
questioning the impact of this decision.
The moon landing by the Apollo 11 shuttle triggered a revolution geared toward finding a
safe and routine access into outer space. One way the Shuttle program is trying to make space
exploration safer, is by placing satellites in space. Shortly after the moon landing, NASA
launched one of the most influential technologies into high orbit. The Hubble Space Telescope
has been providing the country with mystifying images of new universes, planets, and stars
(Block). Many people find the Hubble telescope to be an unnecessary waste of the federal
funding. The reparation and maintenance of the Hubble telescope alone required the aid of the
Shuttle Program and a financial contribution by the federal government. A single mission to
repair the telescope would cost the government an average of over eight million dollars.
Subsequently, after the closure the Space Program, the Hubble Telescope’s future came into
question. The hefty price tag made tax payers question the necessity of the telescope. In reality,
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the technology used in creating and operating the telescope helped formulate the Digital Imaging
Breast Biopsy System. The Breast Biopsy System led to the early detection of breast cancer,
which would have never been discovered without the aid of the Shuttle Program (Block).
Along with technological developments, the shuttle program stumbled upon several
medical advances. Most of the technology used in surgery originates from the technology
employed in space. In cataracts surgery, the tools needed to perform the procedure were
originally developed by NASA to execute routine satellite maintenance. The Light-emitting
diodes that detect signals from satellites were later adapted by the medical field, to help surgeons
perform procedures on patients that had brain cancer. These developments prove the impact the
Shuttle Program continues to have on our daily lives. Scientists are slowly uncovering new
innovations, which would be further enhanced with the aid of the Shuttle Program. Therefore I
believe the Shuttle program should be reestablished. As a nation we need to expand our
knowledge by exploring the mystifying regions beyond Earth.
Calamities such as the Colombia and Challenger missions should not influence our
perspectives of the shuttle program, but instead have us pondering the purpose behind
conducting these missions. On February 1, 2003, the launch of the shuttle Colombia resulted in
the death of seven astronauts (Carol). The shuttle exploded upon entering the atmosphere due to
a damaged piece of insulation. The accident cost the nation a staggering amount of six million
dollars. After a thorough investigation by the government, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration vowed to employ several new techniques and programs that would ensure the
safety of their crew members.
In hopes of regaining the American people’s confidence and support, NASA introduced
the program Independent Verification and Validation, also known as IV and V, to the next
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generation of shuttles. IV and V is highly advanced computer software that makes it possible to
achieve an economically priced and safe space mission. Its main purpose is to eliminate any error
that may pose a threat to the mission. Unlike most common programs, the IV and V software is
divided into several smaller systems. Each system inspects a single aspect of the mission which
in turn eliminates any oversights. The early detection rate and on board navigation eliminated
around 3.5 million dollars from the cost of each operation (Zelkowitz). Though the program was
successful in decreasing the amount of fatalities and cost, it was not able to spare the program
from budget cuts.
As the shuttle program loomed its termination, the government gave the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration two options. Unhappy with the outcomes of the program,
the government demanded that NASA create a newly redesigned shuttle that had the capability
of surpassing the distance beyond the moon, and complied with environmental regulations. If
NASA did not comply, the Shuttle Program would be disbanded. The chemical discharge by the
shuttles had eco-activists calling for their retirement. The auxiliary power units required the use
of the inorganic compound hydrazine (Schelmetic). When hydrazine comes into contact with the
human skin, it can cause irritation and in sever circumstances can cause kidney, liver, and cell
damage. Since hydrazine is a cost-effective and simple compound to manufacture, the need for
another power source seemed unnecessary. The gradual pace at which the technology was
developing along with the budget set by the government, made it seemingly impossible to attain
such a goal of an environmentally clean space shuttle. As a result, the landing of the shuttle
Discovery marked the end of the space exploration era.
Most people assume the shuttle program’s main priority is sending astronauts to
unexplored destinations. What they fail to realize is that NASA was established on the condition
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that the foundation will protect the people of Earth, from any dangers that may originate from
space. (Wall). Asteroids, comets, and solar radiation pose a grave threat to our delicate
environment. Years before the shuttle program was abolished, NASA commenced a special task
force aimed toward resolving these menacing situations. In preparation for the unforeseeable
future, they contemplated conducting one of the most treacherous missions ever performed in
history. In the worst-case scenario, NASA aspired to send astronauts onto the surface of a
moving asteroid. The plan was too obliterate the space rock by deploying a nuclear bomb before
the asteroid could impact the planet.
The question that seemed to be on everyone’s mind was whether the project was pure
brilliance or stupidity on NASA’s behalf. The associated press called this “audacious stunt, a
desperate attempt to save NASA’s beloved space program” (Wall). What the press failed to
comprehend is the necessity of such an “audacious” stunt. On October 12th, 2012, the asteroid
TC4 merely avoided the Earth’s atmosphere. The size as well as the speed, at which the space
rock was traveling, would have annihilated almost all species on the planet (Atkinson).
After the closure of the Shuttle Program, the United States government bestowed the
rights of the International Space Station to Russia; with the condition that Russia will allow
American astronauts to assist in their space missions (Atkinson). The relations between the
United States and the Soviet Union, now called Russia, have never fully recovered since the
Cold War conflict. As a result, the hostility between these two countries will make it hard to
agree upon a solution, especially during hectic situations. Therefore, the government’s plan to
coincide with the Russian’s Space Program will not result in a prosperous outcome for neither
countries.
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By abandoning the space program the country will be abdicating the development of
technology. Most modern technologies we use today like laptops, cell phones, and GPS, were
originally developed for space missions. Global Positioning Systems are still under the
jurisdiction of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s satellites (Block). By
investing in the shuttle program, not only will we be investing in the production of new
technology, but we will also be rejoicing in the creation of new jobs.
The termination of the shuttle program ended up costing Florida over nine-thousand jobs,
most of which were privately owned small businesses (Rein). Rob Summers was the owner of a
T-shirt printing shop in Titusville, Florida. The recent closure of Cape Canaveral made it
impossible to attract any new customers to his printing shop. As a result, shortly after the closure
of the program, he allowed the bank to foreclose on his business. He argues that "For every job
lost on the space side, we'll lose two jobs in the city, so it's a big ripple effect" (Rein). With over
six hundred million dollars in revenue lost per year, the closure of the program proved to not
only cost the United States money, but also cost Americans a steady income.
The “ripple effect” expanded beyond the surrounding areas of Cape Canaveral. Here in
California alone, several plants that manufactured the parts for the shuttles suffered massive
layoffs. In the city of Downey California, the plant Boeing closed its doors taking away over
twelve-thousand present jobs, and over fifty-thousand future jobs (Suciu). The company paid an
excellent wage for recent college graduates, most of which attended Ivy-league schools. The
average worker in the Boeing plant had been working for the company longer than fifteen years
(Anton). The termination of the shuttle program spelled an end to their once prosperous careers.
Many of the engineers working on the shuttles had to find work in an area beyond their expertise
to be able to pay off their school loans. Bill Roberts entered the company after completing his
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college education in 1982. The closure of the Boeing plant forced Bill to return to his old alma
mater, in hopes of attaining a new career with a new major (Anton). The government needs to
take into consideration the prosperity of their people, and not just the fiscal aspects of the
country.
Both the ex-president George W. Bush and current president Barack Obama, agree that
the shuttle program will bring a prosperous outcome for the future of space exploration and the
country. In one of his addresses to congress, George W. Bush listed the overall goals for the
space program; which included listing possible contributors that will aid in the financing of the
program. Companies like Virgin and Armadillo Aerospace are willing to work with NASA and
the government, to supply the space crafts (Bush). The shuttles contemplated by the private
spaceflight companies comply with the requirements set by the government. By allowing these
private sectors to bestow the shuttles, the government will be spared 450 million dollars per
mission. (Carol). Providing a cost efficient mission into space can become a reality. As shown
countless of times before, the shuttle program will incite technological as well as medical
breakthroughs that result in our survival.
Because the shuttle program is government mandated and requires its consent to function,
it is up to federal representatives to decide upon the future of the program. It is understandable to
be hesitant on accepting the Shuttle Program, when the cost of the program ranges from five to
four-hundred million dollars per mission, but by cutting some unnecessary government spending,
the Shuttle Program can be successfully restored. One of the biggest wastes of taxpayer’s money
is the maintenance of vacant buildings. Each year the government spends an average of 25
billion dollars on maintaining unused properties (Reybern). By cutting this unnecessary
expenditure, it is possible to perform one or two space exploration missions per year. The Shuttle
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Program has been conducting more than just voyages into unexplored destinations. Here at
home, the program provided Americans with prosperous jobs and a financially stable economy.
Therefore, abandoning the Shuttle Program is not the best solution to resolve the countries fiscal
deficit. I urge federal representatives to lend their voices to reinstating this vital program. By
reinstating the Shuttle Program, I assure you that Americans will regain their pride and
confidence in NASA.
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Works Cited:
Anton, Mike. "Charting Space Shuttle History on the Southland Map." Los Angeles Times 08
Oct. 2012: n. pag. Print.
Atkinson, Nancy. "Asteroid 2012 TC4 to Buzz Earth on October 12." Universe Today. N.p., 11
Oct. 2012. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://www.universetoday.com/97927/asteroid-2012tc4-to-buzz-earth- on-october-12/>.
Block, Melissa. "Shuttle Program Helped Advance Technology." National Public Radio. N.p.,
28 Apr. v 2011. Web. 27 Nov. 2012.<http://www.npr.org/2011/04/28/135812694/shuttleprogram-helped-advance-technology>.
Bush, George W. "President Bush Delivers Remarks On U.S. Space Policy." NASA Facts. N.p.,
14 Jan. 2004. Web. 28 Nov. 2012<http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/54868main_bush_trans.pdf>.
Carol, Chris. "Shuttle Program Brought Breakthroughs, but Proved Costly and Dangerous." Stars
and Stripes 5 July 2011: n. pag. Web. http://www.stripes.com/shuttle-program-broughtbreakthroughs-but-proved-costly-and-dangerous-1.148418
Charles, Michael T. "The last flight of space shuttle Challenger." Coping with Crises, Charles C.
Thomas, Springfield, IL (1989): 141-168.
Kitts, Christopher, et al. "Emerald: a low-cost spacecraft mission for validating formation flying
technologies." Aerospace Conference, 1999. Proceedings. 1999 IEEE. Vol. 2. IEEE,
1999.
Rein, Lisa. "Shuttle Program’s End Means Lost Jobs." The Washington Post. ProQuest, 11 July
2011. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/federaleye/post/shuttle-programs-end-means-lost-jobs/2011/03/23/gIQAQMbQSI_blog.html>.
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Reybern, Stan. "12 Outrageous Wastes of Taxpayers’ Money." Bill Shrink. N.p., 24 Sept. 2009.
Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://www.billshrink.com/blog/5626/government-wastes/>.
Schelmetic, Tracey. "The Eco Pros and Cons of the Space Shuttle Program." ThomasNet. N.p.,
19 July 2011.Web.02Dec.2012.<http://news.thomasnet.com/green_clean/2011/07/19/theeco-pros- and-cons-of-the-space-shuttle-program/>.
Streich, Michael. "Is the End of the Space Shuttle Program More than Mere Symbolism?"
Suite101. N.p., 21 July 2011. Web. 27 Nov. 2012. <http://suite101.com/article/is-the-endof-the-space-shuttle-program-more-than-mere-symbolism-a380857>.
Suciu, Peter. "End of Space Shuttle Program To Have Far Reaching Impact." CNBC. N.p., 8 July
2011.Web.27Nov.2012.<http://www.cnbc.com/id/43469916/End_of_Space_Shuttle_Pro
gram_To_Have_Far_Reaching_Impact>.
Wall, Mike. "NASA's Shuttle Program Cost $209 Billion — Was It Worth It?" Space.com. N.p.,
5 July 2011. Web. 12 Nov. 2012. <http://www.space.com/12166-space-shuttle-programcost-promises-209-billion.html>.
Zelkowitz, Marvin V., and Ioana Rus. "Understanding IV & V in a safety critical and complex
evolutionary environment: the NASA space shuttle program." Proceedings of the 23rd
International Conference on Software Engineering. IEEE Computer Society, 2001.