Reading Journal #8: Bonestell, Clarke, Novak, Disney’s Man in Space

For the week of “Final Frontiers” there were three readings and one film focused on the ideas of space travel. Chesley Bonestell placed space travel in a soothing light through the description of a possible future vacation. Arthur C. Clarke tackled the issue of space travel in depth with his explanation of why space travel is important culturally and why critics of space travel are short sighted. Matt Novak dispels the myth surrounding the US space program. Disney’s Man in Space demonstrates the history of rocketry and how a possible US mission to space could occur.

Bonestell’s comic about Mr. Smith and family visiting Venus display all the signs of utopian dreams. The prices of all the attractions: rocket tickets, hotel, and food are described as “surprising moderately.” Venus’s environment is rejuvenating with its ability of letting old Mr. Smith feel less gravitational burden. Children enjoy all the attractions without catching the slightest disease from plants or strange wildlife. Dangers of the exotic environment are ever present, but our vacationing guests are safe and sound in their personal transport. The perfection of such an image clearly is aimed at avoiding any unpleasant affairs of terrestrial life, even politics and social conflict.

Thankfully Clarke takes the discussion of space travel into a more serious direction with his motives for space exploration. His belief is that culture, not mere material gains, is the main importance of space colonization. He is ever confident in the ability of science to solve the problems concerning the conquest of space. Yet he finds the military’s focus on rocketry distasteful, hoping that eventually the technology will be converted over to peaceful purposes. Therefore, Clarke would find the use of cellphones and GPS as a great example of how the advanced technologies designed for military use are utilized for the public. He would also gush on and on about the advancement of computers for civilian use as well.

Tying into the idea of promoting space age expansion, Novak moves to dispel the myth of massive support behind the Apollo project and the believed large NASA budget. According to Novak, except for once shortly after the moon landing, the Apollo project never enjoyed the support of majority of Americans. This finding is a likely indicator that space exploration will continue to be sidelined by the public and as a result NASA will find its budget severely limited. Despite this lack of public interest, private entrepreneurs like Walt Disney will continue to push for the galaxy and beyond.

Private enterprises enjoy the benefit of not having to yield to public opinion. However, they rely heavily on the path set forth by the current CEO. A perfect example of another big time space dreamer would be Elon Musk. Musk aims continually for space enterprise even though he has faced set backs with his Space X program. Yet this makes me wonder. If Musk were no longer present would Space X continue or would it take the route of Disney’s Epcot.