NASA Turns 50 Today

A Great Half-Century by Any Measure

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) turns 50 today.  Of all the federal government agencies in the American government, none has been more effective and returned more on our investment.

Galaxies like ours as seen from the Hubble telescope in a small part of space. Do you still think we’re the only life in this multitude?

In fact, no government endeavor in history has returned more to the benefit of all humankind than NASA.  Its programs have spurred the development of many, if not most, of the technologies we enjoy on an everyday basis. 

The average laptop computer today has more computational power than what NASA had to land the first man on the moon.  How they made it look so easy, I’ll never understand, but I know I can’t even get my video player to launch on my laptop sometimes.

NASA has simultaneously demonstrated through action and evidence how magnificent we truly are, and yet how very small and fragile the sum total of everything we’ve accomplished is in the greater context of all that is.

 There will be a “blogotorial” about NASA coming next week.  I wanted it for today, but the feelings ran too deep and the whole Senate issue took too much of my time.  This is one piece you’ll really want to read.  Trust me.

In the meantime, please go to the NASA 50th Anniversary website.