Current Event #3

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37509776/ns/technology_and_science-space

On Friday June 4th, the SpaceX corporation launched its first successful test flight of the Falcon 9 rocket, boosting a dragon capsule into low-earth orbit. SpaceX is a private corporation contracted by NASA to develop a low cost space vehicle to bring supplies to the International Space Station. This contract represents part of President Obama's new space policy to privatize part of the space program. NASA will continue to develop programs for deep space exploration and manned space flight with more "mundane" space supply services provided by private companies. SpaceX was founded by Elon Musk, the founder and former owner of PayPal. It's expected that the cost of a Falcon 9 mission will be considerably cheaper than the one billion dollars it costs to launch a space shuttle flight.

I think that this is an important turning point in the space program, but it has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage so far seems to be that the companies involved so far are small and innovative. When big corporations are involved in what should clearly be public/government work, they sometimes put profit ahead of public policy and end up costing more. Also, small, private companies that are free of political patronage problems may be able to achieve specific goals more economically. On the other hand, space exploration is complicated and expensive. Having small, innovative companies with lots of bright thinkers may lead to some technological breakthroughs. However, space exploration remains expensive, difficult, and dangerous.

Senior Reflection #3 - Skydiving

School is almost over and we will be graduating in just a couple of weeks, so I really wanted to do something exciting to end my last year of high school. Therefore, I decided to go skydiving! On Saturday afternoon I drove out to a place called Skydive Orange which is about 2 hours away. I was scheduled to jump at 4 PM but it was raining so I had to sit waiting anxiously for 3 hours until the storm passed. Finally at 7 PM my instructor came over and got me suited up and into the airplane and we took off. After a 15 minute plane ride up to 13000 feet, the door opened and reality hit. I watched two solo jumpers go and then it was my turn. I tried to act brave as we scuffled over to the door, but really I was just hoping I wouldn't pee my pants. There wasn't much time to think because as soon as we got to the door, we were out and falling through the sky. It was the most incredible feeling; I can't even describe it. After at least 15 seconds of falling, my instructor opened the parachute and we floated peacefully back down to Earth. I really loved the experience and I can't wait to go back and do it again!