Letter: The Final Frontier’s greatest impact – Peoria Journal Star

William G. Bessler

A few weeks ago, like millions of other Americans, I attended a local Fourth of July parade and later watched the fireworks. While wandering around both events, something struck me that no controversial parade float could match.

It was subtle. In fact, without an interest in the subject, most people would have missed it entirely. Countless children were proudly wearing a shirt with the NASA logo or a space shuttle design. This observation persuades me to urge a robust American space policy.

Although finding the exact payoff for every dollar spent on NASA has been elusive, many economic studies show a positive return. NASA projects typically demand people with advanced skills in science and technology, thus supporting thousands of high-paying jobs. With nearly $20 billion spent on NASA per year, those dollars support communities across the country. Even places without a NASA facility have businesses designing or creating parts for Americas space effort.

Thousands of NASA spinoff technologies have dramatically changed the health care, information technology and communication fields.

Yet the economic, technological and scientific advances pale in comparison to the intangible benefits of space exploration. Space inspires children across the globe to become the next generation of thinkers and innovators. Many inspired by space exploration pursue careers in STEM fields, bringing valuable skills to space centers, businesses, factories and farmlands across America. Exploring the final frontier also impresses the value of working together toward a common goal that is bigger than any individual. Rugged individualism does not typically lead to great triumphs, but collective action does.

As I watched the Independence Day fireworks, I couldn't help but wonder how many of those kids wearing a NASA shirt would help enable economic prosperity, a scientific breakthrough or exploration of a distant world someday.

William G. Bessler

Bartonville

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Letter: The Final Frontier's greatest impact - Peoria Journal Star