Advocating for a robust space program may seem
daunting in many areas of the county. For example, I am from Central
Illinois—an area where there are no highly visible NASA connections. Thus,
attempting to convince an area dealing with the struggles of the Rust Belt
economy that space exploration should receive billions more in funding can be
rather difficult. Yet, even in this area, and I suspect other areas without
highly visible space connections, there is an undercurrent of support for space
exploration.
Given my experience in politics and educational
background in political science, advocating for space exploration largely
depends on your audience. In the Rust Belt, arguments grounded in local economic benefits and national prestige may be better received than discussions about scientific advancements from space. Speaking to people about space in Peoria, IL will
likely differ from a discussion in Madison, WI. Obviously, there will be common
themes and touching on these in every location won’t hurt, but certain areas of
the nation require an argument tune-up.
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| Project Apollo proved one thing: we can explore space. (Image Credit: NASA) |
So, I have included an Op-Ed piece I wrote for my
local newspaper advocating for an expansion of the space program by
highlighting the benefits enjoyed through space development. This is by no
means the only way to write an article advocating for space exploration, but it
does give you a sense of what typically works in my community. If our space
program is to expand, there must be frequent public pressure from grassroots
space lovers. Writing newspaper opinion pages, social media posts, and letters
to federal representatives can provide the pressure needed to kick-start the
next great age of space exploration.
My advice is simple: target the message to your
community, keep publicly pushing for space exploration, and organize fellow
space enthusiasts to make the message truly resonate. Reaching the stars is
only possible if people across the world band together to encourage the
exploration of the final frontier.
I hope this article helps or inspires you to advocate for space
exploration in your community!
"A few weeks ago, like millions of other Americans, I
attended a local Fourth of July parade and later watched the fireworks. While
wandering around both events, something struck me that no controversial parade
float could match.
It
was subtle. In fact, without an interest in the subject, most people would have
missed it entirely. Countless children were proudly wearing a shirt with the
NASA logo or a space shuttle design. This observation persuades me to urge for a
robust American space policy.
Although
finding the exact payoff for every dollar spent on NASA has been elusive, many
economic studies show a positive return. NASA projects typically demand people
with advanced skills in science and technology, thus supporting thousands of
high-paying jobs. With nearly $20 billion spent on NASA per year, those dollars
support communities across the country. Even places without a NASA facility
have businesses designing or creating parts for America’s space effort.
Thousands
of NASA “spinoff” technologies have dramatically changed the health care, information
technology and communication fields.
Yet
the economic, technological and scientific advances pale in comparison to the
intangible benefits of space exploration. Space inspires children across the
globe to become the next generation of thinkers and innovators. Many inspired
by space exploration pursue careers in STEM fields, bringing valuable skills to
space centers, businesses, factories and farmlands across America. Exploring
the final frontier also impresses the value of working together toward a common
goal that is bigger than any individual. Rugged individualism does not
typically lead to great triumphs, but collective action does.
As
I watched the Independence Day fireworks, I couldn’t help but wonder how many
of those kids wearing a NASA shirt would help enable economic prosperity, make a
scientific breakthrough, or exploration of a distant world someday.
[Space exploration offers many benefits, but inspiring
the next generation to accomplish great feats clearly leads the way.]" Published in the Peoria Journal Star 08/04/2017
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| The Earth and the Moon from Voyager 1. Humans have not traveled beyond the frame of this picture--let's change that. (Photo Credit: NASA) |
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Note: The article text accompanied in this blog reflects the draft sent to the Peoria Journal Star. There were editorial changes made, understandably, but I believe the draft was better.
