Prof. Boerner's Explorations

by Gerald Boerner

This is a companion post to the main posting today about NASA. NASA was the governmental agency that put all space programs under one non-military agency. During its first dozen years it guided our nations space program through both unmanned space probes in addition to the more headline-catching manned space programs.

In this posting, we examine the long and noteworthy series of space probes that have extended our knowledge of both our own solar system as well as the universe in general. In addition to the specific knowledge we gathered from these programs, we also have seen contributions to our general society that are almost too numerous to count.

We hope that you enjoy these postings. As Mr. Spoke would say, “Live Long and Prosper”.  GLB

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“NASA wanted to assure its ability to examine the spacecraft in orbit for signs of damage.”
— Marc Garneau

“We’d never have got a chance to go outside and look at the earth if it hadn’t been for space exploration and NASA.”
— James Lovelock

“At the end of our NASA careers, no one had a place for us in the military.”
— Wally Schirra

“NASA was going to pick a public school teacher to go into space, observe and make a journal about the space flight, and I am a teacher who always dreamed of going up into space.”
— Christa McAuliffe

continue reading…

by Gerald Boerner

One of the pivotal events in my life was the launching of Sputnik I by the Soviet Union in 1957. I was in junior high and it triggered a quest to become a scientist in me. I became more focused on academic achievement and the study of science. Part of that was due to my very motivating science teacher, Mr. Foxworthy. That event had more wide-spread impact, in that, President Eisenhower consolidated federal missile programs and research into DARPA and NASA.

NASA took over space programs from a variety of military “kingdoms” that were often in conflict with each other. NASA was able to focus the efforts and build from the unmanned programs into the manned programs. President Kennedy’s call for landing a man on the moon and returning him again to earth by the end of the 1960s decade.

Join us in taking a look at the variety of manned space programs that have been accomplished under the guidance of NASA. We look at unmanned programs in a companion posting today.

Think about it. Where were you when Sputnik went up (if you were alive at that time, of course)? What effect did it have on your life? Share your experiences with us via the comments below.  GLB

[ 2917 Words ]

“NASA wanted to assure its ability to examine the spacecraft in orbit for signs of damage.”
— Marc Garneau

“We’d never have got a chance to go outside and look at the earth if it hadn’t been for space exploration and NASA.”
— James Lovelock

“At the end of our NASA careers, no one had a place for us in the military.”
— Wally Schirra

continue reading…