Why you should be sad that constellation program has been cancelled.

This week we had news that the next Space Shuttle launch, STS 133, has been delayed. I’m not going to lie, that is barely newsworthy. But something that is very newsworthy is that, according to current plans, it is the anti-penultimate (third-to-last) launch that humanity will ever witness. That means that there are only three shuttle flights left and then – finito. And what’s scary is that the US has no replacement, and no immediate plans to construct one. The constellation program (next-gen shuttle system) is cancelled.

Don't look down!

But why should you care? Most people view the Shuttles, and NASA’s entire space program as a big waste of money – if they even have a view at all. But did you know that you’re life would be fundamentally different if it were not for the space program- especially the shuttle?

 Imagine I asked you to get me to London and back. How would you do it? Well, first of all, look at London on a map. Work out how far it is, and what the best route is. You've got a lot of options; plane, train or automobile to get you there. Everything you need exists to accomplish the task.

Now Imagine I ask you to get me to the moon. Where do you even start? Where is the moon? How far away is that? What will you travel in? What will you wear, eat, even breathe? That’s why we refer to the space program as the last truly inventive human endeavour – you want to do something new there, you must  invent everything, right down to the air you breathe.

The GRiD Compass onboard the Shuttle

Ever heard the GRiD Compass? No? Well the GRiD Compass was, for all intents and purposes, the first Laptop computer. What was it for? Well, if you are going up into space in a multipurpose vessel for a variety of missions, you can’t use the rigid old Apollo-era computers; they simply will not meet the needs of every given task. So what did we do? Basically, invent the laptop. Have you ever used a laptop? Thank the Space Shuttle.

Recently I had the opportunity to view a series of lectures from M.I.T. on the design and engineering of the US Space Shuttle. During one of the lectures, I learned something fascinating. Up until the space shuttle, all aircraft were operated by mechanical processes. In other words, If the pilot moves the stick to the left, that physically pulls some cables connected to the rudder, which steers the plane left. For the shuttle, this was not an option. If you’re wondering why, then you should try pulling a rudder against winds at over 11,000 mph. So, what did we do? We invented “fly-by-wire”. This means that when the pilot pulls the stick to the left, the computer registers this and steers the craft left using electronically moved parts on the wings and tail of the craft. Have you ever been in a passenger aircraft? Today, commercial planes all use this system, boosting efficiency, safety and lowering cost. RyanAir owes the Shuttle it’s life, and you could do too.

First computerised flight-vehicle.

Those are only two examples, from one NASA craft. If we were to include the Mercury, Apollo or Gemini programs of the 50s, 60s and 70s, we could have listed mobile phones, internet, satellite communication, freeze dried food, cooking utensils, artificial clothing fibres, lightweight metals, and so much more. When I was studying astrophysics, I remember hearing the statistic that for every dollar NASA spent going to the moon, $7 was made by applying the technologies and inventions here on earth.

Just imagine what the next-gen of space craft could look like if Obama had not cut funding! We can only guess at what developments would have been made, what gadgets we could have been playing with in 10 years time. Yes, when STS135 (the final Shuttle) lifts off next year, I’ll be watching. And I’ll be scared – scared that as it leaves the planet for the final time, it takes with it Humanity's last truly inventive, imaginative endeavour.

All Credit for images in this article goes to NASA and NASA JPL