Past, Present, Future and Beyond

By Yves Lamothe, Engineer, Kennedy Space Center, FL

Based on history, the 20th century has undoubtedly had the most progressions in technology than any other time. Before the 1900s we had things such as the battery, arc lamps, electromagnets, typewriters, revolvers, antiseptics, and much more. So then came the age of industrial revolution and 19th Century Science. Early in the 1900s came the Wright brothers airplane, light bulbs, Albert Einstein’s E=mc2, helicopters, robots, 3D movies, traffic signals, Polaroid Photography, jet engines, the photocopier and much more and we are still only in the 1930s.

Within a few decades after that, we find ourselves in an era where test flights and research are performed to develop ways to explore beyond the earth’s atmosphere. Looking at NASA’s history, in the past 50 years, we developed technology that landed a man on the moon and brought him back home safely; we designed and built an International Space Station in low earth orbit; we have launched satellites and robots into deep space to perform scientific experiments; we have telescopes that can bring to life distant galaxies, and much more. Today NASA is working on new technologies that will help do those things even better.

All of these inventions and innovations of the past are great, but the key is that they set the foundation for the future. As an example, there was a time when a cell phone was carried in something the size of a brief case, could only make a few phone calls before the battery would die, was limited to one cell area and the connection would be lost once it was out of range. Today, you can control many aspects of your life with a cell phone. Parents can use them to locate their kids, you can browse the internet or make dinner reservations or order pizza, and you can log into your home security system, or even use it to pop the trunk of your car. If we can do those things today, imagine what we will be able to do in the future?

The future lies in the hands of all the students who study to become proficient in science, technology, engineering and math. We need the young people of today to not only develop innovative ideas, but also to continue to be a driving force in the evolution of technology for our future and beyond. Every new generation builds upon the foundation set by the previous generation, which opens the doors to endless opportunities. There is no other place today that is like NASA. I am proud to be part of a team that can truly capitalize on our accomplishments, develop groundbreaking technologies, expand our horizons, and make the world a better and more exciting place.