The Russians launched the first segments of their space station MIR in 1986. The station was assembled in orbit (as the I.S.S. would later be) and orbited for more than 15 years. It was frequently visited by Soyuz space ships, which delivered food, water and fresh crew members. By the end of its life it had been manned by both Russians and Americans.
So it’s not clear what the I.S.S. brings to the dance. It’s little more than an updated MIR where scientists can float around and study the effects of zero gravity. Its major reason for existing seems to be to give the shuttle fleet a destination. And, in a nice circle of reasoning, the shuttles exist to service an international space station. How convenient.
The sad fact is that we don’t really explore space because we’ve allowed the government to monopolize the exploration of space. If we want to energize space exploration and go beyond our planet, we should encourage private organizations to get into the business.
Several such groups are already operating. One, named Space Adventures, helped put American millionaire Dennis Tito aboard the International Space Station in 2001. In 2004 the privately-built SpaceShipOne claimed the $10 million Ansari X Prize when it climbed into suborbital space twice within five days.
Once private organizations realize there’s money to be made in outer space they’ll spend what it takes to get there. And there’s another bonus: Instead of asking NASA’s government employees to risk their lives we’d have a pool of wealthy volunteers—people like Dennis Tito—who realize the risks but are willing to take them, whether out of scientific curiosity or the desire to be “the first man to (fill in the blank).”
The shuttle Discovery is scheduled to launch next month. We should wish Godspeed to those aboard but also work to break the government’s control of space travel. It’s time for private companies to turn science fiction-style Buck Rogers missions into science fact.