Is it worth it anymore?

[redliox]

For most of my life, I've had a passion for space science.  However, at least as an adult student, I'm encounter heavy burn out.  It might be depression, ADHD, or classical midlife depression.  On top of that, news like budget cuts, delays, or controversies within institutes make me need to ask one question:

Is it worth it?

[gongora]

You could have written a pretty much identical post at many points in the last 50 years.

[leovinus]

Yes. Switch off the broadcast news aka drama. Read a book. No advertisements. You’ll feel better.

[redliox]

Yes. Switch off the broadcast news aka drama. Read a book. No advertisements. You’ll feel better.

Unless it's a calculus book

[punder]

Absolutely worth it. ADHD prevented me from getting a technical degree (at least that's what I tell myself). DO NOT let that happen to you, you will regret it otherwise. Believe me.

[Coastal Ron]

For most of my life, I've had a passion for space science.  However, at least as an adult student, I'm encounter heavy burn out.  It might be depression, ADHD, or classical midlife depression.  On top of that, news like budget cuts, delays, or controversies within institutes make me need to ask one question:

Is it worth it?

There is a LOT of good in the world, and most likely around you too. Social media and new cycles can highlight lots of negative things in the world, so as others have suggested, turn them off. Or at least moderate them severely.

Regarding space science, even though it has HUGE science returns, very little of it has ever directly affected the daily lives of average Americans - or least they would have a hard time identifying anything beyond GPS as something space related that they rely upon. And GPS was developed for the military.

My point being that science is often viewed as a luxury during times of economic belt tightening, but it does still continue.

At different times in my life I have experienced despair, and I think that is normal. Maybe focusing on the things that give you joy will help to push out the things that don't, but I'm not an expert on this. And don't be shy about reaching out to experts that can help you if you don't feel things are improving.

Maybe create an NSF thread about what good things are happening with space science these days?

[Eric Hedman]

For most of my life, I've had a passion for space science.  However, at least as an adult student, I'm encounter heavy burn out.  It might be depression, ADHD, or classical midlife depression.  On top of that, news like budget cuts, delays, or controversies within institutes make me need to ask one question:

Is it worth it?

I've had the opposite reaction about space science lately.  I personally would like to se a lot more missions funded.  But I have recently been looking back at what his been discovered in the last 60 years.  Every planet in the solar system has gone from blurry dot to magnificent galleries of beautiful pictures.  Mars is crawling with rovers.  We have great pictures of many of the moons in the solar system.  In addition to the pictures, we have tons of data that tells us some information on how the planets formed and what they are like today.  Just look at the results from Hubble, Webb, Chandra and a whole slew of other observatories on the ground and in orbit.  We have learned more about the universe in our lifetimes than all the lifetimes that proceeded ours.  As much as these programs have small to large hiccups, we're spoiled.

A hundred thousand years ago a caveman named Gronk walked out of his cave one night and looked up at the Milky Way in total awe.  He wondered what it was and had no clue.  But something triggered something in his brain to start trying to figure out his world.  You and I are the beneficiary of that spark of curiosity.  I for one am grateful that he was curious.  Little did Gronk know that his thirst for knowledge would lead to a world where we do spend money discovering the secrets of the universe.

Just as he was thinking about uttering the first word to describe stars, his wife yelled at him to haul the antelope bones from that night's dinner out of the cave.  That was the first hiccup in the first advance in science.  Coming up with the word star would have to wait a few more days.  But Gronk did it.  Gronk did however correctly predict that one of his descendants would play tight end for the New England Patriots.

The world is in a mess and that makes it easy to get depressed about everything.  Lots of people around the globe have sunk into a depression in the last few years really accelerated by Covid.  The world has been in far worse messes than now and we managed to dig ourselves out each time and get a little better.

When you get depressed about where things are going, start by looking back at all that his been accomplished.  Looking back it is impressive.  That also means it's possible to get back on track and do it again.  When things go off the rails, we humans reach a point where we shake things up and fix them.  Have a little faith in your fellow humans.  We just had the start of a big shakeup in the status quo.  Things will eventually improve and we will get samples back from Mars.  Humans will return to the Moon and go on to Mars.  We will find out if there is other life in our solar system or elsewhere in the universe.  A successor to the Webb telescope will be built unlocking far more secrets.  It may not happen on a timeline we want.  But we as a species will get there even if it's not in our lifetimes.  Gronk's future descendants are counting on this generation to keep the progress going.  We won't let them down.

[garymlevy53]

I know just how you feel.  My area of interest has always been more in the technical end of spaceflight:  hardware, Crew systems, etc.  I am distraught at the thought of China having a pragmatic space program that was copied from us and approved upon.  They will beat us back to the moon.  I am also distraught at all of the mis-fires:  $1.5B per-SLS launch, bad heat shields, etc.  Then you mix in Sir Elon swooping down to save MAGA from woke NASA, his primary customer BTW.  It's a lot to take in and digest.

But the advice you received is good, and I have followed it.  Disconnect from all the slanted news and follow the facts as they are presented.  Not WHY people think Starliner failed, but what are the actual engineering issues and will they be solved or that spacecraft shelved.  Forget if Donald Duck will be the next NASA Administrator, tune out all the stupid and awful news and just focus on the results.  As the above response stated, success and results in space science will eventually prevail. 

[catdlr]

For most of my life, I've had a passion for space science.  However, at least as an adult student, I'm encounter heavy burn out.  It might be depression, ADHD, or classical midlife depression.  On top of that, news like budget cuts, delays, or controversies within institutes make me need to ask one question:

Is it worth it?

I've been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for others to respond to your questions and feelings. So here's mine, after 70 years in the IT industry and always being a space enthusiast:

My reflections on the evolution of the computer industry evoke similar sentiments regarding its worthiness during the late 1970s and throughout most of the 1980s. However, the advent of the internet heralded a new era filled with the promise of job creation and enhanced creativity, which subsequently propelled society toward what has now become mainstream technology—a fundamental aspect of daily life for the majority.

Currently, the space industry is undergoing remarkable growth and innovation, an exciting development following the stagnation experienced during the 1980s and 1990s. The following highlights illustrate this dynamic transformation:

**Rapid Growth:**
The global space economy is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, a significant increase from $630 billion in 2023. This growth is driven by advancements in satellite technology, launch services, and applications enabled by space technology.

**Job Creation for Engineering Graduates:**
The U.S. private space workforce grew 4.8% in 2023, accompanied by solid employment forecasts. This indicates a robust job market with ample opportunities for skilled professionals.

**Leveraging Climate Change Issues for Industrial Growth:**
Innovations in space technology are transforming various sectors, including communications, navigation, Earth observation, and climate science. These advancements are addressing global challenges such as climate change while simultaneously enhancing connectivity, turning what many consider a depressing thought into a money-making initiative. Start your own company and strive to make a difference.

**Increased Launch Activity:**
The year 2024 has witnessed an unprecedented pace of launches, including inaugural flights of flagship launch vehicles from various nations. This trend underscores the global interest and investment in commercial space exploration.

**Commercial Opportunities:**
The space industry is generating new commercial prospects, with companies utilizing space technology for applications such as ride-hailing services, weather forecasting, and Earth observation. These developments are creating value across multiple industries and contributing to economic growth.

**Future Prospects:**
The space economy is anticipated to continue its expansion, with a focus on increasing accessibility and inclusivity. Initiatives aimed at reducing costs and enhancing the availability of space services will benefit a diverse range of stakeholders.

In summary, the space industry is thriving and demonstrates no signs of deceleration.  This represents an exciting period for both space enthusiasts and professionals, as numerous opportunities and innovations lie ahead.

It is imperative to remain optimistic and look toward the stars. Yes, there will be companies that fail, and others will be swallowed up through buyouts and takeovers. You may be a victim of one—this was the same in my industry- I was a victim of three. Change is inevitable; just embrace it.

The trajectory (pun intended) of the space industry is decidedly upward.

I wish you good luck, strive to make a difference, study hard, and, as a popular member of NSF said about his career, anticipate jumping jobs. When you find the one you love, keep it, embrace it, and make it yours.

Tony

[redliox]

I can't f***ing afford ASU's programs, and I'm especially enraged how useless scholarship searches and programs are both within and outside the school.  I have a bad feeling my demographic of being a white male isn't helping.  This is flaming the issues I stated at the beginning of the thread.

...As for something less venty, I decided to pause my education a year to kill debt.  I'm not taking on student loans and making myself more vulnerable.  I'm literally working a Walmart job as I sort this out, and I'd rather be a Walmart worker than a middle age student being harassed by every debt agency on this planet, let alone the other eight seven.

Reality checks keep slapping me in the face.  I'm not a trust fund baby or a savant.  The dream is literally dying for me.

[redliox]

At different times in my life I have experienced despair, and I think that is normal. Maybe focusing on the things that give you joy will help to push out the things that don't, but I'm not an expert on this. And don't be shy about reaching out to experts that can help you if you don't feel things are improving.

The advice appreciated.  It's getting hard for me to find joy as I lack adult friends or family who can relate to my interests or make time.

[Perchlorate]

This may be a bit counterintuitive, possibly deemed irrelevant, and likely to get me flamed, but...

1.  Your seeking a technical/spaceflight career is not your highest priority right now.  You need the "pause" for a lot of reasons.

2.  First, get happy.  Life is hard, but it is good; it's a gift.

3.  Best way to get happy:  get into a relationship with a person and/or a group, and give of yourself, your time, to others.  Consider a church, a community service organization, etc.  Even if you think you have little to give, you can smile; you can serve stew to a homeless person; you can tutor a kid who can't read at grade level.

4.  Even if #3 makes you think "That's not me," give it a shot anyway.  Trust me on this.

5.  When you cultivate positivity in yourself by giving of yourself, your overall state of mind will improve, and it will manifest in your job performance, however menial your interim job may be.  You'll do better, become more confident and earn more.

6.  Maybe you'll be able to press on, getting educated in some "space science" field.  Or, maybe something else will pay the bills with space being your hobby.  NSF is an awfully good place to play out that hobby.  But, regardless, your life will be better if/when you make a habit of doing little things to make other people's lives better.  The Universe made you, and It will appreciate your caring for It's fellow travelers.

7.  [ Personal thing of mine; feel free to ignore: ] Try to drop the habit of using the verb/participle "f***ing" and its various forms as a negative expletive.  It's really stupid when you think about it; "f***ing" is one of the Universe's best, most delightful inventions...why do people use it as a strong negative??  Find a smarter expletive when you're frustrated.

8.  In all sincerity, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Fulfilling 2025.  As I said in #2, life is a gift; embrace it and smile more.  That's an order.

[catdlr]

I want to join Pete with a few comments myself:

I'm a 24/7 caregiver, all alone and dealing with enormous stress to keep my patient alive with the medical conditions that are at present. I could quickly terminate my responsibilities by transferring the patient to a nursing facility; however, I have opted against this course of action. I can provide the highest care possible, albeit at a physical cost to myself.

Recently, I have taken Pete's advice and endeavored to cultivate new friendships. While my ability to engage in face-to-face interactions is limited, I have joined several Discord groups focusing on topics that bring me joy. Through these platforms, I have formed numerous friendships, including several close connections, who have supported me in ways I could not have imagined. Conversely, many of these friends are young and facing challenges, and I offer them a more seasoned perspective on life to assist them in their journeys.

I have also taken the initiative to reach out to those neighbors with whom I would previously exchange mere pleasantries. We now communicate extensively via email, discussing various issues and topics throughout the day. Although I cannot spend time with them in person, they understand my situation, and our correspondence offers a meaningful alternative, providing both a sense of community and a refreshed outlook on life.

As Pete has also suggested, I have become actively involved (sometimes too much) with the NSF by contributing content as a poster. I supply the community with news related to space exploration that I have come across. For many years, I was merely an observer; however, since embarked on my caregiving journey, I have dedicated my monitoring hours to sharing information about upcoming launches alongside fellow NSF members. This involvement certainly enriches the hours and fosters a sense of contribution to others.

All of the aspects mentioned earlier have assisted me in avoiding a much darker existence characterized by incessant worry, fostering trust in the responsibilities I currently manage, and contemplating my potential for future happiness. It is essential to understand that opportunities do not simply present themselves; one must actively seek them out. By doing so, the "darkness" will dissipate, enabling you to cultivate a more positive self-perception and envision the achievement of your aspirations.

Pete and I wish you well.

tony

[JAFO]

...As for something less venty, I decided to pause my education a year to kill debt.  I'm not taking on student loans and making myself more vulnerable.  I'm literally working a Walmart job as I sort this out, and I'd rather be a Walmart worker than a middle age student being harassed by every debt agency on this planet, let alone the other eight seven.

Reality checks keep slapping me in the face.  I'm not a trust fund baby or a savant.  The dream is literally dying for me.

I was just at an aviation event, found myself alone with a DV for a moment, someone I'd normally not even approach. I said I'm sorry, but Have you ever been to XXXXX City, (a small tourist town). He gave me a puzzled look and said Yes, why? I said You ate at YYY Restaurant, and 35 years ago I was your waiter. Now I'm about to retire after a 29 year career in our field.

I was about to quit when I got hired at my first professional job in the field, at 35 years old. I was 38 before I made more than I made as a waiter, and I'd do it all over again if I had the chance. A lot of my friends kept trying and it never worked out, they moved on. I'm not the only one who kept going when many told me to give up and we made it. Only you can make that call.


If you quit now, will you ever look back wishing you had given it another 1, 2, 5 years?

[Norm38]

Following your passion is important, and I wish I had gotten better advice when younger.  I grew up only a few miles from a nuclear power plant in Illinois, growing up with sci-fi with every ship and base powered by a reactor.  That's all I wanted to be, chief engineer of a starship and work in the engine room.  Maybe I should have joined the Navy but my father didn't want that.
Got to the University of Illinois in 1994 for electrical engineering, signed up first semester for Nuclear Engineering 101.  Talked to the professor after class one day and he told me that it was a dead field, another nuclear reactor would never be built in the US, there was no money in it and to turn away, choose another path.  And I did.

But so much work has been done in the nuclear field in the last 30 years.  I wish I had been a part of it.

[gongora]

Nuclear programs really were struggling at that time, Georgia Tech was downsizing theirs and closed their research reactor a year after that (triggered by hosting the Olympics in '96).  I was in school about the same time, started a few years earlier.

[zubenelgenubi]

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