tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030220433025894048.post3987016875288003706..comments2023-11-03T08:02:25.369-04:00Comments on AmericanScience: A Team Blog: Drivers of American Space PolicyDavid Roth Singermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12841041983824755867noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1030220433025894048.post-86654222688661520242010-06-01T10:06:02.902-04:002010-06-01T10:06:02.902-04:00This is a very good point, that the shuttle decisi...This is a very good point, that the shuttle decision was at the nexus of a whole host of Cold War issues. Something people often forget is that the Shuttle blurred the civilian/military divide that had been part of the foundation of NASA since its inception in 1958.<br /><br />I wasn't trying to impose a historical narrative of colonization. I think that has already been done by others. It's what I like to refer to as the "final frontier thesis" (cue Star Trek theme). That is, a common justification narrative for space exploration is drawing parallels to the age of exploration, and the inevitability of human colonization. The number of NASA picture books that mention Columbus and/or Magellan is astronomical (no pun intended). I was merely poking a whole in this narrative by mentioning the Viking colonization attempt, but we could just as easily poke holes by pointing out the Americas were already populated by advanced civilizations.rmacgreghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06911638829410371739noreply@blogger.com