Taking it to the Streets

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.  

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

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.