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Space X has to recover from Sunday’s rocket explosion, and the way it will respond to the recent events might be the most crucial factor in making a clean comeback. If SpaceX’s behavior will be up to standards NASA and the U.S. Congress have many reasons to continue the partnership.
The first argument for continuing the partnership with SpaceX is that a large part of the funds approved by Congress for use by NASA , will stay in the local economy and will create high paying jobs for U.S. citizens in further development projects.
Space X has over 3000 employees working at the company headquarters in California or the several other U.S. launch sites and development facilities.
No method of sending materials or humans into space is 100 percent safe or guaranteed to work, event the Russian Soyuz launch vehicle has had problems. This year in April a Soyuz rocket failed to safely deliver a cargo load and the materials ended up burning in the Earth’s Atmosphere.
The SpaceX company offers a feasible way of avoid future contracts with the Russians. While NASA is now forced to ask the Russians or the Japanese to help in resupplying the ISS, not using SpaceX services makes the agency dependent on foreign cooperation entirely.
If SpaceX continues to be an intricate part of NASA’s projects then the technologies owned by the company can only develop and improve. This could make it possible in a few years for NASA to partner exclusively with SpaceX and other private companies like Boeing.
The prestige and pride that comes with having a working space program either private or not, is important as well. Young and old space enthusiasts are proud of the American achievements in space travel, and most of them would like the country to continue being a world leader in the exploration and study of outer space.
The benefits to U.S. Universities and schools are also important, partnerships between private U.S. companies and young students help future generations develop an interest in space and also offer a chance to actually help in the development of space travel technologies.
This kind of interest has a “snowball effect” with many of the young students that have the chance to work on NASA and SpaceX’s programs becoming the researchers and Teachers of following generations.
Bill Nye and the Plannetary Society’s projects show that many scientists and enthusiasts want to keep scientific development a priority in the U.S. honoring the work of American astronauts.
Having the capability to launch technologies developed in the U.S. by NASA or other companies from platforms set on American soil can offer a boost to national self-confidence and resolve. It is one thing to teach children about the past, but being able to actually show them U.S. achievements in real time is much more effective in teaching the “American Way”.
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Germaine Hicks
Germaine is an avid sports fan and as such, he decided on his current career path with the idea in mind that he would never, ever miss a Yankee game. Until now, he managed to make good on that promise. As you’ve probably guessed, he’s our go-to sports guy.
