Describe a significant social or technological event of the 20th century

Effects of Landing on the Moon

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Effects of Landing on the Moon

For centuries, man was fascinated with the idea of walking on the moon. In 1969, Neil Armstrong, an American Astronaut, changed this fantasy to reality by setting the first human footprint on the moon. This pioneering technological feat by the Apollo 11 crew inspired further cosmic explorations and placed America in the annals of history and at the leading position in terms of technological innovations (Moroz, Huntress, & Shevalev, 2003). Landing on the moon propelled the industry response that was hitherto uneven, perhaps justifiably due to the lessons learned from the disappointments of previous missions. Space enthusiasm continues to grow across the globe as nations develop new planetary exploration techniques for economic, national security, and research purposes. Landing on the moon triggered a spirit of confidence in the human capital, opened up new opportunities for future explorations, and enhanced competition in modern society.

Landing on the moon takes credit for inspiring confidence in the human capacity to withstand even the perceived insurmountable challenges. Not only does the missions to the moon and other planets inspire confidence in people but also brings a sense of pride and positive perspective on the capacity to succeed in any mission. Notably, the emotional significance of landing on the moon emerges from the fighting spirit in people and their desire to explore new opportunities in other planets regardless of the challenges involved. On a wider context, modern planetary expeditions seek to find solutions to social, medical, and economic problems, and explain religious myths about the moon and other night sky objects (Steyaerta & Katzb, 2004). The new research findings from space explorations serve as unifying forces and boost the belief in people’s individual and collective strength.

Today, space explorations benefit society by providing new research and financial opportunities. Space entrepreneurs and explorers make profits by facilitating space travel and providing new information for planetary research. Several major airline companies like Virgin Galactic and Rocket Ship Tours create sophisticated crafts that facilitate space travel (Steyaerta & Katzb, 2004). These companies continue to grow in profit and popularity owing to the increase in the number of space enthusiasts. People wish to learn more about the abundant space and mineral resources available in the solar system that offer solutions to Earth problems. The potential for Mars to support human life and its iron rich soil are example of benefits that can be channeled towards helping the population and mineral limitations on earth.

Many nations engage in military, political, medical, and technological competition that stem from the Space Race. This popular rivalry, which resembles the Cold War, pitted the Soviet Union against America in the quest to achieve dominance over space explorations (Moroz, Huntress, & Shevalev, 2003). President Kennedy made a passionate appeal Americans to counter the Soviet’s dominance of space explorations by giving an inspiring speech to the nation to support its astronauts both morally and financially. This historic speech was not in futility because Armstrong set the first human footprint on the moon a decade later. Other nations perceived this as a challenge and trigger to modernize their space activities to surpass the American achievement. Today, nations rival one another on political, economic, social, medical, research and other issues as a result of the previous competition for space explorations dominance.

Landing on the moon opened up new frontiers for future exploration, inspired a belief in the unlimited human capital, and fueled rivalry among societies. People recount the successful mission to the moon and get a feeling of pride and inspiration to prevail over any hurdles in their endeavors. Modern space explorations open up numerous opportunities for further research to find solutions to problems on Earth and facilitate entrepreneurship for private gain. The enduring modern social, political, economic, and technological rivalries among nations are akin to the Space Race and the Cold War that pitted the Soviet Union against America.

References

Moroz, V., Huntress, T., & Shevalev, L. (2003). Planetary Missions of the 20th Century. Cosmic Research. Volume 40, Issue 5, pages 419-445.

Steyaerta, C. & Katzb, J. (2004). Reclaiming the space of entrepreneurship in society: geographical, discursive and social dimensions. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development: An International Journal, Volume 16, Issue 3, 2004, pages 179-196.