A Giant Step For Science

THE Space Shuttle Atlantis landed last week at Edwards Air Force Base in California, successfully completing the second post-disaster flight.

No one really cared.

Unless something dramatic happens, such as the Challenger explosion, people simply aren't interested in the space shuttle.

It's easy to see why. After all, the shuttle is simply a glorified tow-truck, carting satellites into space. The shuttle was never meant to be exciting--it was designed as a less expensive method for placing military and communications satellites in orbit.

Most people think it's great that we can zap transmissions across the globe and tell time from the watches of Soviet citizens, but these capabilities don't make them excited about space itself. People may find the end-results of satellite technology--such as additional TV stations--exciting, but they aren't really interested in how the signal reached them. The idea that we depend on space for these innovations is lost.

SCIENTISTS aren't excited about the space shuttle, either. Scientists are interested in science, and the space shuttle program does little to further science.

The most cost-effective method of advancing scientific research is to send spacecraft without astronauts off into different parts of the solar system, in a manner similar to the Voyager spacecraft. Because these spacecraft are inherently much less expensive, less complex and less risky than human-occupied craft, they provide more scientific returns per dollar investment.

At one time, the United States was interested in space science. Viking 1 and Viking 2 were sent to Mars in 1975. Arriving in 1976, they provided a wealth of information on the martian atmosphere and martian surface. Viking 1 functioned on Mars for more than six years, proving to be a very cost-effective method of acquiring data about the red planet.

In 1977, the Voyager spacecraft were launched toward the outer reaches of the solar system. In addition to providing spectacular photographs of Jupiter and its moons, the Voyager spacecraft greatly expanded scientists' knowledge of the outer planets. Voyager 2 actually discovered a series of rings around Uranus.

BOTH the Viking and Voyager spacecraft represent solid scientific efforts. In contrast, the shuttle program is little more than an escort service for satellites. Calling it a "space program" is somewhat ludicrous. Even if the space shuttle is necessary, it should not be the focus of the United States space program.

The shuttle may serve some auxiliary role in the space program, but the thrust of the program should be to further scientific knowledge of space. Even sending astronauts beyond earth orbit would be a welcome break from the cargo-hauler routine of the shuttle, for it would at least appeal to the imaginatior of the average person. Clearly, however the greatest scientific returns come from increased use of spacecraft. Although the shuttle is back in service, the United States still lacks a successful space program.