Democratizing space travel

This morning I watched the launch of Blue Origin's first human space flight. The New Shepard spacecraft landed safely and as I write the post-flight news conference is happening live.

I've been a fan of space exploration all of my life. So I follow events like this with interest whenever I can.

We have friends who work at Blue Origin's headquarters in Kent, Washington, just a few miles from us. I know that many people have worked hard for years to make this moment possible. I want to congratulate the entire Blue Origin team on this achievement.

I am delighted that Wally Funk was given the opportunity to ride in space. This was an opportunity she and the other woman (the now-famous Mercury 13) who trained as astronauts in the 1960s, was denied by multiple administrations including the Lyndon Johnson administration. I am grateful that Jeff Bezos gave Wally that opportunity, and in doing so, corrected a historical injustice. It's unfortunate that it took a random act of kindness by a billionaire to correct it.

As an engineer, I appreciate the fact that the Blue Origin team have solved some very difficult technical challenges in developing a reusable spacecraft where the entire flight was completely automated, with no pilots. In the press conference, Mr. Bezos talked about the important of protecting our fragile planet Earth, even as we leave its boundaries. Reusable spacecraft such as the New Shepard are a small part of that essential effort.

After the launch, I watched a discussion on MSNBC with former astronauts Leland Melvin and Mae Jemison. Dr. Jemison talked about the importance of "democratizing" space travel, and the important of making space travel "work for all of us". I agree with her. Space travel needs to be seen as part of (and answerable to) what humanity on Earth are doing, not something separate.

One of the most important reasons to go into space is because space is coming to us. Sooner or later, Earth is going to be struck by an asteroid or comet that could destroy a city or even threaten the biosphere. Tracking those objects, and maintaining the capability to deflect them away from the Earth, makes it essential to maintain a space program indefinitely. This is an opportunity for alignment between environmental and space interests. A 2019 poll showed that Americans believe that protecting the Earth from asteroids should be the highest priority of a space program, more important than sending humans to the moon or Mars.

Blue Origin's very name emphasizes its connection to the Earth. I hope that as they move forward, they keep in mind that the purpose of going into space is to be transformed by the experience, and to provide benefits to the Earth and its people.