As America prepares to make history in space returning humans to the moon, then opening a human pathway to Mars, possibly triggering human migration, voices from the past are speaking and should be heard. One such voice is that of Buzz Aldrin. His thoughts on the subject are worthy and perhaps even profound.
Many still recall July 20, 1969, the epic day on which Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped from a spider-like lunar module onto the moon. They left human footprints in lunar dust and weighty imprints on the human mind and soul. They collected samples, set up experiments, and planted the American flag.
What many may not recall are some of the big lead-up decisions, including whether to employ only one rocket or attempt lunar rendezvous, sending a smaller lunar module to the surface. That decision, which proved essential to success and was not Wernher von Brauns initially preferred option but was pushed by a brilliant, persistent aerospace engineer named John Houbolt.
Houbolt felt the math, physics and orbital science supported lunar rendezvous. So did a future astronaut, then completing his PhD at MIT, not coincidentally on orbital rendezvous. That future astronauts name was Buzz Aldrin.
In short, Aldrin felt rendezvous of two spacecraft in space was feasible and could be done at moon distance. If that proved true, only one big rocket would be needed, not two. Moreover, the process could be tested in earth orbit, for final use around the moon. Houbolt insistently tried to convince NASA.
By June 1961, Houbolt who risked his career to win the ear of von Braun and others at NASA had prevailed. In one of those ironies that seems utterly improbable for those who believe in coincidence, Buzz Aldrin would end up testing spacecraft rendezvous in Gemini 12 and making the first moon landing in Apollo 11, which relied entirely on lunar rendezvous.
The point here is prescience. Aldrin was right to support Houbolt, just as he was right later to advocate neutral buoyancy and other space training techniques. When being right is even acknowledged, it is often only in the moment, and then forgotten. In this case it certainly should not be.
Proof of that essential point is evident here. Recalling these facts, shouldnt voices like Aldrins be in the room again, as we think about Americas next human steps into deeper space?
In short, what people like Houbolt and Aldrin did was think outside the box, for the benefit of the program. Like other Apollo astronauts, Aldrin was good with numbers. Like others, he risked all for America. He is still speaking and it is those words we might do well to hear now.
In 2019, he did interviews that give us pause to think. Several related to pace of progress. He thinks we need to pick it up, as momentum built for human space exploration can get lost. America is the leader and must stay there exploring Moon and Mars. On that point, he remains passionate.
How, when, and with what operational tempo, he includes in his opinions. Most of his ideas seem to sync well with Trump Administration planning. That is, they are engineering-based, not political. For example, he warns that giant leaps come with risk but need to be taken. He argues that permanent presence on the moon and Mars is more cost effective than sending people out and bringing them home to write books and give speeches. Aldrin, still a wit, knows how to apply irony.
Likewise, he believes once humans arrive at Mars, subsequent interplanetary missions should be conceived of as regular, migratory, and (importantly) more systematic than exceptional. He seems to see future interplanetary expeditions in the light of historic intercontinental settlement, not once and done events.
There is logic as well as ample math to support his notion of establishing regular, cycling - rolling and returning - Mars missions and moon visits. He asserts that there will be plenty of volunteers, and in this he seems again to be right. One motivation, he reminds audiences, is that we remember The Pilgrims, and other immigrants whose faith and daring compelled them to seek, persevere, and succeed, not those who gave up.
Additionally, in articles and speeches, he often addresses technical challenges; he does not ignore them. On the other hand, he sees them as on an order not dissimilar to ones America faced in a different time getting to the moon first.
Aldrin dares to speak his mind, which pleases some and upsets others. However, he reminds us that daring, risk, and creativity are always part of lasting human achievement. With them we advance. Without them we stagnate.
In recent years, he has pressed NASA under succeeding administrations as have some of his Apollo colleagues, including Armstrong, Collins, Cernan and Cunningham to lean forward more fully, not rest on past successes.
Aldrin has also openly questioned conventional wisdom, as he did with lunar rendezvous and neutral buoyancy training. He has wondered aloud if the goal of some commercial enterprises is truly human space exploration, or just making things government will buy. He has questioned whether Congress seeks American leadership in space or just jobs on Earth.
In asking such questions, he is unique since he is neither personal nor political, but innately honest, willing to risk criticism to spur action. His basic point: America once led human space exploration. We have it in us to lead. We should be leading. Are we committed to leading?
On the technical side, he is also painfully honest. He has offered arguments for increased international cooperation, at times when that seems less than popular. He has asked whether portions of Americas space architecture are necessary, cost-effective, efficient or likely to promote permanence.
Aldrin has dared ask for increased public-private cooperation, an international coalition to encourage launch and space-bases synergies, conversations with China, Russia, and others, and fresh focus on budgets, schedules, and safety.
If this sounds like enthusiasm from a space pioneer, it probably is. His speeches and 2019 State of the Union appearance were inspiring. He is part of a select group who dreamed about space travel, then did it.
Aldrin is iconic for countless reasons. One too much overlooked is this: His remarkable record for productive out of the box thinking. He may or may not be entirely right about the pace, progress, trade-offs, timing, techniques, efficiencies, motivations and what is possible. But he has been right before. America was built on daring and it is time to dare again in space. People like Aldrin have shown us how. Its time to press on.
John C. Mosbey, a retired USAF colonel, writes nationally on defense, space policy and geopolitical issues; he holds advanced degrees from Alabama, the Naval War College, and Trinity College, Dublin.
Read this article:
Buzz Aldrin and Americas Space Destiny - Townhall
- Space | National Archives - January 5th, 2017 [January 5th, 2017]
- 50 Years of Presidential Visions for Space Exploration - January 30th, 2017 [January 30th, 2017]
- New 'Life' Trailer Brings Terrifying Thrills from Mars (Exclusive) - Space.com - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Obama gutted NASA. Here are 3 ways Trump can make space ... - Conservative Review - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Dassault Systemes sets eyes on space exploration, faster transport - Economic Times - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Cassini Captures Stunning View of Enceladus | Space Exploration ... - Sci-News.com - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Astronauts' Brains Are Changed By Spaceflight, MRI-Based Study Reveals - International Business Times - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- TeamIndus launches Moonshot Wheels to inspire Indian rural students about Space Exploration - International Business Times, India Edition - February 7th, 2017 [February 7th, 2017]
- Belarus invites Iran to cooperate in pharmaceutical industry, space exploration - Belarus News (BelTA) - February 8th, 2017 [February 8th, 2017]
- Cabinet briefed on India-Vietnam Framework Agreement on outer space exploration - Daily News & Analysis - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Legislation Would Require Strategic Plan for NASA Human Spaceflight - Space.com - February 9th, 2017 [February 9th, 2017]
- Trump's Vision of Space Exploration - The New American - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- New NASA Leadership Inherits Rejuvenated Space Exploration Program - eNews Park Forest - February 10th, 2017 [February 10th, 2017]
- Outgoing NASA Team Leaves Its Successors With Robust Options for Space Exploration - Center For American Progress - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Space exploration brought to life for pupils - Norfolk Eastern Daily Press - February 11th, 2017 [February 11th, 2017]
- Mechs and greater space exploration are on the way in Starbound's ... - PCGamesN - February 12th, 2017 [February 12th, 2017]
- As US, Russia eye stagnant space budgets, India ramps up investment - Ars Technica - February 13th, 2017 [February 13th, 2017]
- Nuclear Reactors to Power Space Exploration - R & D Magazine - February 14th, 2017 [February 14th, 2017]
- NASA spends $2mn on 'advanced life support tech' for deep space travel - RT - February 15th, 2017 [February 15th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Could A Habitable Planet Feature A Habitable Moon? - Forbes - February 16th, 2017 [February 16th, 2017]
- Turkmenistan Aims High as It Pledges Space Exploration - EurasiaNet - February 17th, 2017 [February 17th, 2017]
- Republicans Aim to Prioritize NASA Space Exploration Efforts Over Environmental Research - Independent Journal Review - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- One huge step: Trump's plans to privatize 'low Earth orbit' and send NASA into deep space - Yahoo News - February 18th, 2017 [February 18th, 2017]
- How reusable rockets are paving the way for the next phase of space exploration - Mirror.co.uk - February 20th, 2017 [February 20th, 2017]
- NASA Funds 2 New Research Institutes to Help Humanity Explore Deep Space - Space.com - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Space Startups Are Booming in the Mojave Desert - Fortune - February 21st, 2017 [February 21st, 2017]
- Sen. Nelson Talks Space Exploration At Florida A&M University ... - WFSU - February 22nd, 2017 [February 22nd, 2017]
- DELINGPOLE: NASA to Stop Shilling for Big Green, Restart Exploring Space - Breitbart News - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Nuclear reactors to power space exploration - Los Alamos Monitor - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Space exploration programs must continue - The Eagle - February 23rd, 2017 [February 23rd, 2017]
- Editorial: Exploration can help us understand this planet - Loveland Reporter-Herald - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- NASA selects new technologies for flight tests for future space exploration - Space Daily - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Why Does NASA Suddenly Want Humans On New Spacecraft's First Flight? - Vocativ - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- NASA seeks university-level solutions for deep space human exploration challenges - Pulse Headlines - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Should Humans Leave Space Exploration To Robots? - Forbes - February 24th, 2017 [February 24th, 2017]
- Space Exploration - WGN Radio - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- EDITORIAL: Jumping at space travel - Indiana Daily Student - February 27th, 2017 [February 27th, 2017]
- Why the 'ultimate wearables' lie in the future of space exploration - Wareable - February 28th, 2017 [February 28th, 2017]
- How to improve SA's space program - News24 - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Darlington power plant helps fuel NASA's space exploration - CTV News - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- Donald Trump Will Call For a Return of Human Space Exploration - Inverse - March 1st, 2017 [March 1st, 2017]
- What Donald Trump Said About Space Travel During His Speech - Heavy.com - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Trump's call for human space exploration is hugely wasteful and pointless - Los Angeles Times - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- What is the fascination with space exploration? - Grand Valley Lanthorn - March 2nd, 2017 [March 2nd, 2017]
- Teachers attend space exploration conference, bring back lessons out of this world - Arlington Times - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- Reader applauds space exploration pioneers - Fairfaxtimes.com - March 4th, 2017 [March 4th, 2017]
- Jeff Bezos Expected to Unveil Further Plans for Private Space Exploration - Wall Street Journal (subscription) - March 6th, 2017 [March 6th, 2017]
- Your Cheat-Sheet Guide to the New Space Race - Slate Magazine - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Amazon chief to announce new space exploration plans - RT - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- Amazon Chief Bezos Expected to Unveil Further Private Space Exploration Plans - Fox Business - March 7th, 2017 [March 7th, 2017]
- If India or China Beats the US to Mars, It Will Feel Like a Military Defeat - Slate Magazine - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- When We Explore Space, We Go Together - Slate Magazine - March 8th, 2017 [March 8th, 2017]
- How Barack Obama ruined NASA space exploration - The Hill (blog) - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- Future Tense Newsletter: Space Exploration Isn't Just About Scientific Discovery - Slate Magazine (blog) - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- NASA Funds 133 Projects to Aid Deep Space Exploration - PC Magazine - March 9th, 2017 [March 9th, 2017]
- A Trinity professor will play a big role in space exploration - thejournal.ie - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Congress Passes Space Exploration Act, Targets Mars - America Now - March 11th, 2017 [March 11th, 2017]
- Russia Aims to Develop New Cooperation in Space Exploration - Sputnik International - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- NASA Announces 2017 'Chroniclers,' Recognizing Those Who ... - SpaceCoastDaily.com - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- The Pros And Cons Of Privatizing Space Exploration - Forbes - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Space Exploration Experts Look to Next Frontiers at Event - UMass Lowell - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- CNSA boss outlines China's space exploration agenda - SpaceNews - SpaceNews - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- These Are the Wildly Advanced Space Exploration Concepts Being ... - Gizmodo - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation - Wikipedia - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- A Brief History of Space Exploration - The Aerospace Corporation - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Americans Like Spending Money on Space Exploration, Survey Finds - Inverse - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Launch of India's biggest rocket is a defining moment in space exploration - DailyO - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Space Matter: The Trouble with Spacesuits :: Science :: Features ... - Paste Magazine - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- China willing to cooperate in peaceful space exploration: Xi - Space Daily - June 6th, 2017 [June 6th, 2017]
- Pence reiterates plans to reestablish the National Space Council - SpaceNews - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Space Exploration: Can Private Companies Operate in Space? - Law Street Media (blog) - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Space Exploration Game 'Outreach' Receives First Gameplay Trailer ... - Hardcore Gamer - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Will Space Exploration lead us to a Global Space Agency - Space Daily - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- The Origami of Space Exploration - Scientific American (blog) - June 7th, 2017 [June 7th, 2017]
- Ocean vs Space: Exploration and the Quest to Inspire the Public - Marine Technology News - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- A 3D-printed rocket engine just launched a new era of space exploration - The Independent - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Belarus' drive for peaceful space exploration underlined - Belarus News (BelTA) - June 8th, 2017 [June 8th, 2017]
- Here's why you should pay close attention to India's space program - Mashable - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- China to provide more opportunities to private companies for space exploration - Space Daily - June 9th, 2017 [June 9th, 2017]
- Space exploration: The solutions to land scarcity - Real Estate Weekly - June 10th, 2017 [June 10th, 2017]