FH as reminder of the power of the Internet

[Ike17055]

Betraying my age perhaps, but having a day to reflect on the facts and the emotions of this great event, I am compelled to state just how amazing our situation is now, especially compared to the Gemini /Apollo days of my youth.  The advent of the wordwide communications network is such a marvel, yet one we so easily take for granted today.  For NSF members, for instance, the ability to tap into an incredible resource nework, not just of science and tech journalists and industry / government leaders, but also fellow enthusiasts and hands-on experts, on a daily basis is nothing short of breathtaking. And the collaboration enabled among all of these audiences just pushes the wheels of progress that much faster.

This forum in particular, allowed me to again appreciate the impact of the digitally-based “virtual community” consisting of experts and enthusiasts from around the world I would never have otherwise met, or learned from online. It further allowed us all to connect for the meetup this week, with a shared experience of belonging, as well as sharing the anticipated experience of a pending launch.

I learned so much, probably the least of which (but personally, very important) was how to absolutely make the very most of my first trip to witness a launch — a considerable investment of time and dollars for me at least.  Yet, I feel I was able to do this as an “informed consumer”and know so much that enabled me to optimize the entire experience, and ensure that I was confident that I was “doing it right.” The ability to pick people’s brains, share their photos almost instantly, and learn from others’ experiences, and learn just how special the event would be:  I could not have imagined this experience back in the day of Apollo. This moment is special on so many levels.  And millions were able to witness, cheer on, and participate in a manner that was unthinkable not so long ago.

I remember when my wife, a PhD chemist-to-be, introduced me to the early vestiges of the Internet, pre-web, with its databases, bulletin boards, and e-mail that she was using for her graduate work.  I was hooked early on and remember thinking, “this is going to be the biggest thing ever.” Luckily, I was smart enough to start buying some stock in various companies getting into Internet Infrastructure, so I was motivated to watch this new thing develop and grow. (In those days, Internet 2.0 meant the advent of the World Wide Web!)

It is good and right to stop and reflect on the marvels we enjoy today, and that we take for granted too often. For me, A little reflection about being where I am this week, and how it all occured, is well warranted, and a reminder of the amazing times we have witnessed, and more importantly, just how much more amazing it is likely to be in the near future. My father used to marvel about his own life, “from the horse and wagon — to the moon, in one lifetime.” And he only lived to 67.

While we may have lost some of our momentum in manned spaceflight lately, progress on other fronts remains mind boggling - plus, we seem poised to recapture that ability to leapt forward in spaceflight and exploration again now- thanks in no small part to businessman Elon Musk and his believers (Itself an unthinkable situation not long ago).  What a truly amazing time to be alive.

[BeamRider]

I can only add how lucky we are to have lived long enough to see rockets land, and land standing upright, the way God and Robert Heinlein intended.

[AncientU]

I think we underestimate the power of high tech to facilitate even a field constrained by the rocket equation.  The Starlink constellation will be taking connectedness to the next level... those who tap into the intellectual capital on line and the power of processor speed/AI will be the spaceflight leaders of tomorrow.