VOL. XXII, NO. 10
MAY 15, 1981

Editorial
Gaining Final Frontier Not Well-Supported
With the successful flight of the space shuttle Columbia, attention has been drawn once again to the United States' space program. What can the space program do other than launch shuttles?

The space program can satisfy this country's need for new sources of minerals and metals. Minerals nearly consumed on Earth can be found in usuable amounts on other planets and asteroids. Through space stations and satellites, the space program offers a foundation for a solar energy source, a great alternative to fossil fuels. Technology gained from space exploration continuously improves the quality of everyday life, whether it be with microcomputers or new medicine. The space program also challenges the United States to discover as much as possible about our final frontier, thereby increasing the knowledge about Earth.
 With all these benefits, the space enthusiast expects his neighbors and the government to jump at the chance to further the space program. Unfortunately, the space program of the United States is less than appreciated. The general public frequently complains about the government "wasting" money on space exploration. These complaints encourage Congress to cut NASA's budget each year. No well-organized lobby exists to prevent the cut-backs.

Any citizen, however, can do his part to keep the U.S. space program active. He can write to his congressman and speak to his friends about the program in general and specific space-related bills coming up for a vote. The space program, along with solving some of the energy and raw material needs of the United States, provides the technology to improve life's quality and is the instrument to provide for better international cooperation. It can't be allowed to disintegrate. It needs your support.