Week 9: The Next Great Adventure

Star Wars Poster

This week’s topic, Space and Art, was an eye-opening lecture for me. Most people have, at one time, been fascinated with the idea of exploring new worlds and travelling through space. Under the influence of modern science fiction, space exploration has been glamorized and fantasized about for years.

Heliocentric Model

I’ve also gone through my phase of “space-fascination,” enamored by various science fiction novels and media, including Star Wars and Doctor Who. As a result, it was truly interesting to learn more about modern space technology and its origins, ranging from Copernicus’s Heliocentric Model (Universe Today) to the relatively contemporary idea of a “space elevator” (BBC).

The birth of NASA also appeared to be a starting point for revolutionary technological growth (NASA); it was only under NASA that the United States was able to extend its reach into the stars. But space exploration was not without its dangers. On several occasions, astronauts have been known to have died in their line of work, such as the loss of the Columbia (History).

The space shuttle Endeavor, taking its final flight

However, despite these setbacks, space exploration is growing more than ever; commercial space travel is no longer a fleeting thought. Virgin Galactic is working towards building a new tomorrow, with space travel on the horizon (Virgin Galactic).  I’m pretty surprised that we’ve come this far, and I am definitely excited to see what will become of humanity in the future, as space exploration only serves to improve more and more.

Sources:

"Columbia Disaster." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 1 June 2015.

"Heliocentric Model." Universe Today. 22 June 2009. Web. 1 June 2015.

NASA. NASA. Web. 1 June 2015.

"Should We Give up on the Dream of Space Elevators?" BBC. Web. 1 June 2015.

"Virgin Galactic, the World's First Commercial Spaceline." Virgin Galactic. Web. 1 June 2015.