Let me tell you a little story:
Once upon a time there were two countries. One was named America, and the other was called USSR. Like any two young boys these countries played rough with each other and were always competing. Once they even competed to see who could go to the Moon first! America ended up winning; The USSR never got there. Why, you ask?
Education
For many years before there was ever a space race America had been dumping lots of time and money into its education system. The goal? Smarter people of course!
No one knew exactly what these smart people would be thinking smart thoughts about, all they knew was that it took smart people to do smart things. Since America was a smart country, it needed lots of smart people. Thesesuper-smart people paid-off in big ways once the space race kicked-off. We sure do hear a lot about the German scientists America stole at the end of World War 2, but working with them were tons and tons of American born engineers!
Saturn V
Like many aspects of the space race, there’s just something special about this rocket. Maybe it’s the iconic design, or perhaps it’s the fact that another rocket has never come close to its raw power. Either way, without the Saturn V we never would have made past orbit.
What else is important about “The V?” America started working on it a long long time ago, all the way back in 1946. That’s right, over twenty years prior to going to the moon America started building big rockets.
So now where are we?
For starters, we have been quietly (or not so quietly) slashing education budgets around the country. Even in places where we haven’t cut budgets, the bar has been set so low that the lowest common denominator can breeze through the system. I guess this means that America no longer needs smart people to do smart things?
Also, we can’t seem to put our space program to a single task for more than five years before we force them to tear up the paper and start again fresh in a slightly new direction. Engineers talk about rocket projects that will take more than ten years and politicians and the public seem to howl with rage and gnash their teeth. There is a reason why it’s called rocket science; it’s pretty difficult to get it right, and rushing things doesn’t often end well.
Now let me tell you why Russia lost.
Despite their early lead (Happy 50th Yuri, indeed, it is amazing!) Russia faltered when their strong willed lead scientist Korolev died of cancer. Without a single strong voice, the Russians began developing numerous plans, often switching support from one to another. Ultimately, time, resources, and talent wasted away their lead and finally cost them the glory of ever going to the moon.
So now, let me ask you a question: Who does America resemble most these days?
