| Chapter Twenty of Pax Americana: The Military Industrial Complex and the War On Terror by Danny Quintana |
| It's Always Been Dangerous |
The Columbia shuttle disaster and the deaths of these seven brave astronauts has reminded us of the danger of space exploration. The
shuttle launches were so common that we mistakenly believed they had become routine. They are not. The short journey to outer space on
top of a controlled explosion at 17,500 miles per hour is never to be considered routine. Throughout history exploration has been and will
continue to be fraught with peril.
In previous centuries the dangers came from weather, people defending their homelands from the invading explorers, disease and sometimes
mutiny. When Columbus came to this part of the planet he and his small crew did not have to carry oxygen and life support systems. After the
initial colonization of the small islands of the Caribbean on Columbus’ fourth journey a disaster occurred. A fleet of 30 ships was allowed to
journey back to Spain despite Columbus’ warning of a hurricane. Columbus made his fourth voyage from Spain to the Americas in 1502. He
was such a sure navigator by then that the 3500-mile voyage took a mere 21 days. But he did not arrive happy. At Santo Domingo on June
29 Columbus requested entry into the harbor for his five ships, and he urged the governor to detain a 30-ship fleet ready to sail to Spain. He
warned a terrible storm was brewing. The governor and his retinue mocked Columbus as a phony fortune-teller. Not only did the governor
order the fleet to sail but denied Columbus entry into the harbor.
"May God take you!' fumed Columbus. That was always his strongest curse.
Once again Columbus was thwarted by dull, proud people. He was no gypsy fortune-teller but the sea captain supreme. The mix of oily swells
from the southeast, abnormal tide, heaviness in the air, aching arthritis, wispy cirrus clouds streaming high overhead, and a magnificent
crimson sunset meant only one thing: a savage hurricane was coming from the north or east! Denied the harbor, Columbus anchored his
ships off the southwest shore of the island with protection from north and west. If anchors broke loose the winds would drive them out to sea,
not into shore. The 30 ships of the fleet sailed east, then north through the Mona Passage. Barely underway into the Atlantic the gold-laden
fleet was hammered by ferocious winds. Within hours 20 ships sank with all hands. Nine others were driven ashore and battered to bits. One
ship of the fleet survived. A fortune in gold, 29 ships and 500 men were lost.
Columbus, with every anchor of his five caravels down, bitterly wrote in his journal during the raging hurricane: 'What man ever born, not
excepting Job, would not have died of despair when in such weather - seeking safety for son, brother shipmates and self - was forbidden the
land and the harbors that he, by God's will and sweating blood, had won for Spain!'
But once again the master of the sea prevailed. Columbus lost not one ship from the deadly storm, not one man…1
shuttle launches were so common that we mistakenly believed they had become routine. They are not. The short journey to outer space on
top of a controlled explosion at 17,500 miles per hour is never to be considered routine. Throughout history exploration has been and will
continue to be fraught with peril.
In previous centuries the dangers came from weather, people defending their homelands from the invading explorers, disease and sometimes
mutiny. When Columbus came to this part of the planet he and his small crew did not have to carry oxygen and life support systems. After the
initial colonization of the small islands of the Caribbean on Columbus’ fourth journey a disaster occurred. A fleet of 30 ships was allowed to
journey back to Spain despite Columbus’ warning of a hurricane. Columbus made his fourth voyage from Spain to the Americas in 1502. He
was such a sure navigator by then that the 3500-mile voyage took a mere 21 days. But he did not arrive happy. At Santo Domingo on June
29 Columbus requested entry into the harbor for his five ships, and he urged the governor to detain a 30-ship fleet ready to sail to Spain. He
warned a terrible storm was brewing. The governor and his retinue mocked Columbus as a phony fortune-teller. Not only did the governor
order the fleet to sail but denied Columbus entry into the harbor.
"May God take you!' fumed Columbus. That was always his strongest curse.
Once again Columbus was thwarted by dull, proud people. He was no gypsy fortune-teller but the sea captain supreme. The mix of oily swells
from the southeast, abnormal tide, heaviness in the air, aching arthritis, wispy cirrus clouds streaming high overhead, and a magnificent
crimson sunset meant only one thing: a savage hurricane was coming from the north or east! Denied the harbor, Columbus anchored his
ships off the southwest shore of the island with protection from north and west. If anchors broke loose the winds would drive them out to sea,
not into shore. The 30 ships of the fleet sailed east, then north through the Mona Passage. Barely underway into the Atlantic the gold-laden
fleet was hammered by ferocious winds. Within hours 20 ships sank with all hands. Nine others were driven ashore and battered to bits. One
ship of the fleet survived. A fortune in gold, 29 ships and 500 men were lost.
Columbus, with every anchor of his five caravels down, bitterly wrote in his journal during the raging hurricane: 'What man ever born, not
excepting Job, would not have died of despair when in such weather - seeking safety for son, brother shipmates and self - was forbidden the
land and the harbors that he, by God's will and sweating blood, had won for Spain!'
But once again the master of the sea prevailed. Columbus lost not one ship from the deadly storm, not one man…1
New World Shipwrecks, 1492-1521
[More than 100 ships were lost in the first 30 years of European exploration of the New World. None of those lost has ever been found despite
unsubstantiated claims to the contrary. On the other side of the coin, not one of the early 16th-century shipwreck sites which has been found
has ever been identified by name. ] 2
Despite this colossal setback Spanish exploration of this part of the planet continued. The return on investment was not immediate.
Sometimes the only thing we get from exploration is more knowledge of what not to do in the future. A careful review of previous explorations
reveals that many if not most of them failed. The successes are well known but like life, when we fail we are often forgotten. After Columbus a
series of explorers and adventurers set forth to the new world. The successful expeditions and conquests of Francisco Pizzaro and Hernando
de Cortez are required high school history. The failed expeditions, where lives were lost and no gold or silver was discovered, are not
as publicized. Some have landmarks named after them. But humans have short memories. Hudson Bay, named after the failed voyager Henry
Hudson is a classic example.
Henry Hudson was an Englishman and accomplished navigator and sailor. It is unknown where and when he was born, but his four ocean
voyages put his name on several places on the global map. On May 1, [1607], Hudson set sail from England aboard the Hopewell with his son
and 11 crew members. He and his crew sailed closer to the North Pole than any other explorers. He was looking for a Northwest Passage to
the Orient and found there was no way through the North Pole. He eventually returned to England. On April 22, 1608, he set sail once again
aboard the Hopewell and discovered that as he rounded the northern tip of Norway, the sun shone 24 hours a day during the Arctic summer.
He still failed to find a Northwest Passage. In 1609, he moved to Holland and sailed for the Dutch East India Company. The Dutch provided
him with a ship called the Half Moon and a crew. Hudson chose some Englishmen to join the Dutch for a total of 18 crew members. The Half
Moon was a flat-bottomed ship only 60 feet long. In April, [1609], the Half Moon set sail from Amsterdam and headed north. As the weather
worsened and grew colder, the crew started to grumble and talk of mutiny. Hudson turned the ship around and headed south. He ended up
off the coast of present-day Maine and sighted the area today known as Cape Cod. The Half Moon headed further south and sailed to the
Chesapeake Bay. Hudson then turned north off the coast of present-day New Jersey. In September, 1609, the ship dropped anchor in the
harbor of a great river known today as the Hudson. The crew traded with the Indians and explored the length of the river. The new lands
in the Hudson River Valley were claimed for Holland. Eventually the Dutch settled in this area and founded New Amsterdam or present-day
New York. In November, Hudson returned to England instead of Holland.
[More than 100 ships were lost in the first 30 years of European exploration of the New World. None of those lost has ever been found despite
unsubstantiated claims to the contrary. On the other side of the coin, not one of the early 16th-century shipwreck sites which has been found
has ever been identified by name. ] 2
Despite this colossal setback Spanish exploration of this part of the planet continued. The return on investment was not immediate.
Sometimes the only thing we get from exploration is more knowledge of what not to do in the future. A careful review of previous explorations
reveals that many if not most of them failed. The successes are well known but like life, when we fail we are often forgotten. After Columbus a
series of explorers and adventurers set forth to the new world. The successful expeditions and conquests of Francisco Pizzaro and Hernando
de Cortez are required high school history. The failed expeditions, where lives were lost and no gold or silver was discovered, are not
as publicized. Some have landmarks named after them. But humans have short memories. Hudson Bay, named after the failed voyager Henry
Hudson is a classic example.
Henry Hudson was an Englishman and accomplished navigator and sailor. It is unknown where and when he was born, but his four ocean
voyages put his name on several places on the global map. On May 1, [1607], Hudson set sail from England aboard the Hopewell with his son
and 11 crew members. He and his crew sailed closer to the North Pole than any other explorers. He was looking for a Northwest Passage to
the Orient and found there was no way through the North Pole. He eventually returned to England. On April 22, 1608, he set sail once again
aboard the Hopewell and discovered that as he rounded the northern tip of Norway, the sun shone 24 hours a day during the Arctic summer.
He still failed to find a Northwest Passage. In 1609, he moved to Holland and sailed for the Dutch East India Company. The Dutch provided
him with a ship called the Half Moon and a crew. Hudson chose some Englishmen to join the Dutch for a total of 18 crew members. The Half
Moon was a flat-bottomed ship only 60 feet long. In April, [1609], the Half Moon set sail from Amsterdam and headed north. As the weather
worsened and grew colder, the crew started to grumble and talk of mutiny. Hudson turned the ship around and headed south. He ended up
off the coast of present-day Maine and sighted the area today known as Cape Cod. The Half Moon headed further south and sailed to the
Chesapeake Bay. Hudson then turned north off the coast of present-day New Jersey. In September, 1609, the ship dropped anchor in the
harbor of a great river known today as the Hudson. The crew traded with the Indians and explored the length of the river. The new lands
in the Hudson River Valley were claimed for Holland. Eventually the Dutch settled in this area and founded New Amsterdam or present-day
New York. In November, Hudson returned to England instead of Holland.
The seafood is exceptional. On my last trip to Vegas, (November 2006), we went to the buffet at the Aladdin. The tuna sushi is larger than any
sushi I’ve had in Japan or Florida. It was the very best sushi and seafood I ever had anywhere. And I ate until I could not possibly eat
anymore. But being a product of poverty, I did not waste one single morsel.
The line into the seafood buffet is at least 35 minutes long. Is it worth it? In all of our actions in life, we have to ask ourselves this question as
individuals and as a nation. Is it worth it? Is killing the fish stocks and creating a future where the next generation does not enjoy the bounty of
God’s creation, worth it? In our gluttony, will future generations observe that, we ate it all and wasted what we did not eat? Do we as a
people have no obligation to the future generations and to the creatures themselves to insure their survival? How serious is the problem of
over fishing? Numerous sources indicate this problem is very serious. It warrants our immediate attention. According to Greenpeace, whose
objectivity is always suspect: Records kept by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) also indicate that of the
world's 15 main fishing regions, four are depleted and nine are declining. This global fisheries crisis is primarily a result of over harvesting.
The world's marine catch has increased more than four times in the past 40 years -- from 18.5 million tons in 1952 to 89 million tons in 1989,
but that growth is at great cost to the environment, and ultimately, perhaps to world food security.2
Between the United States, Japan and Europe numerous stocks of fish will soon disappear because of over fishing. 3 Then there is the
massive waste both at sea and on the plate. In addition to the target fish, the unwanted by-catch is just destroyed at incredible cost to the
ecosystem. 4
So people who don’t need more to eat, we kill “by-catch”. According to Carl Safina and Mercedes Lee: Virtually every kind of fishery
unintentionally catches unwanted creatures, known as by catch. Each year, about one-quarter to one-third of the world's total catch is simply
discarded overboard, dead or dying. Indiscriminate fishing techniques cause this waste; this careless practice also pits fishery against fishery.
Shrimp trawlers have more by kill than any other type of fishing gear: For every pound of shrimp kept, anywhere from a pound and a half to
eight pounds of sea creatures, many of which are juveniles of commercially important species such as red snapper, are discarded dead.
Shrimp trawls are the largest source of mortality in adult sea turtles, and in the U.S., shrimpers must now have "turtle excluder devices" in
their nets to shunt turtles out. The highest amount of by catch occurs in the Northwest Pacific: Nine million metric tons of catch is discarded
annually.
Aside from problems of waste, bycatch can also deplete or endanger wildlife populations, including fish, sea turtles, birds, and marine
mammals. For example, coastal gillnets threaten certain small dolphins and seals with extinction, and long lines set for tunas and swordfish
are endangering several albatross species. 5
sushi I’ve had in Japan or Florida. It was the very best sushi and seafood I ever had anywhere. And I ate until I could not possibly eat
anymore. But being a product of poverty, I did not waste one single morsel.
The line into the seafood buffet is at least 35 minutes long. Is it worth it? In all of our actions in life, we have to ask ourselves this question as
individuals and as a nation. Is it worth it? Is killing the fish stocks and creating a future where the next generation does not enjoy the bounty of
God’s creation, worth it? In our gluttony, will future generations observe that, we ate it all and wasted what we did not eat? Do we as a
people have no obligation to the future generations and to the creatures themselves to insure their survival? How serious is the problem of
over fishing? Numerous sources indicate this problem is very serious. It warrants our immediate attention. According to Greenpeace, whose
objectivity is always suspect: Records kept by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) also indicate that of the
world's 15 main fishing regions, four are depleted and nine are declining. This global fisheries crisis is primarily a result of over harvesting.
The world's marine catch has increased more than four times in the past 40 years -- from 18.5 million tons in 1952 to 89 million tons in 1989,
but that growth is at great cost to the environment, and ultimately, perhaps to world food security.2
Between the United States, Japan and Europe numerous stocks of fish will soon disappear because of over fishing. 3 Then there is the
massive waste both at sea and on the plate. In addition to the target fish, the unwanted by-catch is just destroyed at incredible cost to the
ecosystem. 4
So people who don’t need more to eat, we kill “by-catch”. According to Carl Safina and Mercedes Lee: Virtually every kind of fishery
unintentionally catches unwanted creatures, known as by catch. Each year, about one-quarter to one-third of the world's total catch is simply
discarded overboard, dead or dying. Indiscriminate fishing techniques cause this waste; this careless practice also pits fishery against fishery.
Shrimp trawlers have more by kill than any other type of fishing gear: For every pound of shrimp kept, anywhere from a pound and a half to
eight pounds of sea creatures, many of which are juveniles of commercially important species such as red snapper, are discarded dead.
Shrimp trawls are the largest source of mortality in adult sea turtles, and in the U.S., shrimpers must now have "turtle excluder devices" in
their nets to shunt turtles out. The highest amount of by catch occurs in the Northwest Pacific: Nine million metric tons of catch is discarded
annually.
Aside from problems of waste, bycatch can also deplete or endanger wildlife populations, including fish, sea turtles, birds, and marine
mammals. For example, coastal gillnets threaten certain small dolphins and seals with extinction, and long lines set for tunas and swordfish
are endangering several albatross species. 5
What Hudson’s voyage accomplished was the knowledge that the northwest passage to the Orient was not going to be possible because of ice
from the Artic. Many explorers have been forgotten having drowned or become lost, eaten by wild animals or killed by locals protecting their
homeland. Among the forgotten was Portuguese explorer João Fernandes.
from the Artic. Many explorers have been forgotten having drowned or become lost, eaten by wild animals or killed by locals protecting their
homeland. Among the forgotten was Portuguese explorer João Fernandes.
He set sail on his fourth journey from England on April 17, 1610, and headed northwest. The journey was fraught
with hardships and threats of mutiny. The weather was foul and the seas icy. The ship, the Discovery, made its way
through an icy passage known today as the Hudson Strait. (The strait is 450 miles of water separating northern
Labrador from Baffin Island.) In August, he sighted a huge body of water that he mistakenly assumed was the Pacific
Ocean. This body of water was in fact a large bay later named the Hudson Bay. While exploring, the bay became
very icy (in fact it is ice nine months of the year). By November, the ship was frozen in. With dwindling food supplies,
Hudson's crew grew increasingly angry, ill, and frozen. Mutiny was on every crew member's mind. When the ship was
freed by melting ice, Hudson opted to continue sailing westward. By June 1611, the crew did indeed mutiny. They
forced Hudson, his son, and sick and loyal sailors in a small boat. They were never heard from again. Only a handful
of sailors made it back to England aboard the Discovery. They were not punished for the mutiny. 3
with hardships and threats of mutiny. The weather was foul and the seas icy. The ship, the Discovery, made its way
through an icy passage known today as the Hudson Strait. (The strait is 450 miles of water separating northern
Labrador from Baffin Island.) In August, he sighted a huge body of water that he mistakenly assumed was the Pacific
Ocean. This body of water was in fact a large bay later named the Hudson Bay. While exploring, the bay became
very icy (in fact it is ice nine months of the year). By November, the ship was frozen in. With dwindling food supplies,
Hudson's crew grew increasingly angry, ill, and frozen. Mutiny was on every crew member's mind. When the ship was
freed by melting ice, Hudson opted to continue sailing westward. By June 1611, the crew did indeed mutiny. They
forced Hudson, his son, and sick and loyal sailors in a small boat. They were never heard from again. Only a handful
of sailors made it back to England aboard the Discovery. They were not punished for the mutiny. 3
 | |  | |  |
“A small landowner (lavrador) on the island of Terceira in the Azores. The
details of his life and voyages are vague and uncertain, but it is known that
he had business connections with the port of Bristol, that he was given a
royal patent in 1499, and that he made one or more voyages to the New
World. It is possible that in 1500 he reached what we know as Greenland,
and called it Tiera del Lavrador. The name later migrated south to what
is now called Labrador. Fernandes then joined a Bristol syndicate, and
it is thought that he was lost on a voyage to America in 1501.” 4
details of his life and voyages are vague and uncertain, but it is known that
he had business connections with the port of Bristol, that he was given a
royal patent in 1499, and that he made one or more voyages to the New
World. It is possible that in 1500 he reached what we know as Greenland,
and called it Tiera del Lavrador. The name later migrated south to what
is now called Labrador. Fernandes then joined a Bristol syndicate, and
it is thought that he was lost on a voyage to America in 1501.” 4
Mr. Fernandes joins numerous souls who were lost on a voyage to America. Gaspar Corte-Real was given a royal charter in 1500 by the
Portuguese to explore Newfoundland. But the venture was a disaster.
Portuguese to explore Newfoundland. But the venture was a disaster.
“Gaspar sailed to Terra Verde again in 1501, with three caravels. Again,
there has been much speculation about his route. He encountered ice,
sailed south, and found a more temperate land which some locate in
Labrador, others - more plausibly - in eastern Newfoundland. The
expedition captured about 60 aboriginal people as slaves who were said to
"resemble gypsies in colour, features, stature and aspect; are clothed in the
skins of various animals ...They are very shy and gentle, but well formed in
arms and legs and shoulders beyond description ...." Only the captives
reached Portugal. The others drowned, with Gaspar, on the return voyage.
Gaspar's brother, Miguel Corte Real, went to look for him in 1502, but also
failed to return.” 5
there has been much speculation about his route. He encountered ice,
sailed south, and found a more temperate land which some locate in
Labrador, others - more plausibly - in eastern Newfoundland. The
expedition captured about 60 aboriginal people as slaves who were said to
"resemble gypsies in colour, features, stature and aspect; are clothed in the
skins of various animals ...They are very shy and gentle, but well formed in
arms and legs and shoulders beyond description ...." Only the captives
reached Portugal. The others drowned, with Gaspar, on the return voyage.
Gaspar's brother, Miguel Corte Real, went to look for him in 1502, but also
failed to return.” 5
Explorer John Davis sailed south along the Labrador coast in 1586 - two of his men were killed by Inuit - and again in 1587, giving Cape
Chidley its name, as well as Davis Inlet. John Knight was forced onto the Labrador coast by ice in 1606, where he and three crew members
disappeared. 6 Even if the explorer was successful, he sometimes met his fate at the hands of the perturbed local population. James Cook
sailed the world for England in some of the most exciting adventures humans have ever recorded. He and his men had one adventure too
many. According to Alistair MacLean:
Chidley its name, as well as Davis Inlet. John Knight was forced onto the Labrador coast by ice in 1606, where he and three crew members
disappeared. 6 Even if the explorer was successful, he sometimes met his fate at the hands of the perturbed local population. James Cook
sailed the world for England in some of the most exciting adventures humans have ever recorded. He and his men had one adventure too
many. According to Alistair MacLean:
“Six days later, following a severe storm in which Cook's vessels were
severely damaged, the vessels were obliged to return to Hawaii to effect
repairs. This time their welcome was less than enthusiastic. There were
numerous incidents of petty theft by the natives and when during the night
of 13 February one of the ship's cutters was stolen, Cook felt obliged to
take some retaliatory action. His custom, when confronted by such
circumstances, was to take hostage some senior person in the native
hierarchy and hold them until the stolen articles were returned. On
the morning of the 14th Cook went ashore accompanied by some marines
to take King Kalaniopu hostage. A party arrived at the King's hut and he
agreed to accompany them back to the ship. When they arrived at the
beach a large unruly crowd numbering in the thousands surrounded Cook.
Apparently at some point a shot was fired and in the ensuing uproar Cook
was clubbed to the ground and repeatedly stabbed by native spears. His
body was taken on board his ship and was buried at sea on 22 February,
1779. 7
severely damaged, the vessels were obliged to return to Hawaii to effect
repairs. This time their welcome was less than enthusiastic. There were
numerous incidents of petty theft by the natives and when during the night
of 13 February one of the ship's cutters was stolen, Cook felt obliged to
take some retaliatory action. His custom, when confronted by such
circumstances, was to take hostage some senior person in the native
hierarchy and hold them until the stolen articles were returned. On
the morning of the 14th Cook went ashore accompanied by some marines
to take King Kalaniopu hostage. A party arrived at the King's hut and he
agreed to accompany them back to the ship. When they arrived at the
beach a large unruly crowd numbering in the thousands surrounded Cook.
Apparently at some point a shot was fired and in the ensuing uproar Cook
was clubbed to the ground and repeatedly stabbed by native spears. His
body was taken on board his ship and was buried at sea on 22 February,
1779. 7
After humans conquered the tops of the oceans on flimsy wooden ships and our very few land areas on our tiny planet, we next made the
journey to space. This journey is far more challenging then fighting each other with sharp sticks and pieces of lead. When Cortez fought the
Aztecs he and his men and their numerous allies did not have to leave the Earth’s orbit with their own oxygen in tiny spaceships to endure a
weightless environment. Nothing humans have ever accomplished in previous explorations is as dangerous as space travel.
But persistence will overcome most of life’s difficulties and with careful planning lead to ultimate success. Whether in sports, business or any
endeavor, what separates the losers from the winners is picking yourself back up when you have been knocked down. Spain could simply
have given up on exploring and colonizing the new world after the loss of that fleet during Columbus’ early explorations. But financial success
did not come until Cortez and Pizzaro brought back very large quantities of gold and silver.
These astronauts and cosmonauts who have died must be honored by humans remembering what went wrong, and then continuing with more
exploration. Since its early days in the 1960s, the road to conquering the "new frontier" often has been bumpy, including the death of three
US astronauts in the cabin of the Apollo (1967), the loss of four Soviet cosmonauts in two accidents (1967, 1971), the deaths of the seven
astronauts in the space shuttle Challenger (1986) and now those of seven more aboard Columbia. "Most of your preparation and mission
training is dedicated toward things going wrong," said former astronaut Fred Haise, one of the members of the Apollo 13 crew that had a
brush with disaster in 1970. "If everything always went right, it would be easy," he said.
During launches, astronauts and cosmonauts are piled into what amount to enormous highly explosive bombs packed with liquid and solid
fuel; one short circuit or leak could trigger a massive explosion. For US space shuttles, 95 percent of the risks are deemed to be during the
liftoff phase. Once spacecraft are in flight it is almost impossible to repair them unless the problem happens to be located inside the cabin. In
Columbia's case, even if the problem were the loss of a tile, it would not have been able to be replaced, shuttle program chief Ron Dittemore
acknowledged. 8
The next step forward is to land men on Mars and colonize this small planet. If America chooses not to go forward with this exploration and
colonization other nations have already decided this is man’s destiny. Europe with Russia’s help, China, Japan and now India must be taken
seriously in their efforts to conquer outer space.
journey to space. This journey is far more challenging then fighting each other with sharp sticks and pieces of lead. When Cortez fought the
Aztecs he and his men and their numerous allies did not have to leave the Earth’s orbit with their own oxygen in tiny spaceships to endure a
weightless environment. Nothing humans have ever accomplished in previous explorations is as dangerous as space travel.
But persistence will overcome most of life’s difficulties and with careful planning lead to ultimate success. Whether in sports, business or any
endeavor, what separates the losers from the winners is picking yourself back up when you have been knocked down. Spain could simply
have given up on exploring and colonizing the new world after the loss of that fleet during Columbus’ early explorations. But financial success
did not come until Cortez and Pizzaro brought back very large quantities of gold and silver.
These astronauts and cosmonauts who have died must be honored by humans remembering what went wrong, and then continuing with more
exploration. Since its early days in the 1960s, the road to conquering the "new frontier" often has been bumpy, including the death of three
US astronauts in the cabin of the Apollo (1967), the loss of four Soviet cosmonauts in two accidents (1967, 1971), the deaths of the seven
astronauts in the space shuttle Challenger (1986) and now those of seven more aboard Columbia. "Most of your preparation and mission
training is dedicated toward things going wrong," said former astronaut Fred Haise, one of the members of the Apollo 13 crew that had a
brush with disaster in 1970. "If everything always went right, it would be easy," he said.
During launches, astronauts and cosmonauts are piled into what amount to enormous highly explosive bombs packed with liquid and solid
fuel; one short circuit or leak could trigger a massive explosion. For US space shuttles, 95 percent of the risks are deemed to be during the
liftoff phase. Once spacecraft are in flight it is almost impossible to repair them unless the problem happens to be located inside the cabin. In
Columbia's case, even if the problem were the loss of a tile, it would not have been able to be replaced, shuttle program chief Ron Dittemore
acknowledged. 8
The next step forward is to land men on Mars and colonize this small planet. If America chooses not to go forward with this exploration and
colonization other nations have already decided this is man’s destiny. Europe with Russia’s help, China, Japan and now India must be taken
seriously in their efforts to conquer outer space.
1. The Four Explorations of Columbus online at:www.carnaval.com/columbus/4voyages.htm
3. THE MARINERS' MUSEUM, Newport News, Virginia online at:www.mariner.org./age/hudson.html
4. The Portuguese Explorers Memorial University of Newfoundland online at:www.heritage.nf.ca/exploration/default.html
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. The Death of Captain Cook by Alistair MacLean online at:http://mmbc.bc.ca/source/schoolnet/exploration/cookdeath.html
8. Space exploration has been a history of sky-high risks at Space Daily online at www.spacedaily.com/2003/030204083301.fg5lczfs
3. THE MARINERS' MUSEUM, Newport News, Virginia online at:www.mariner.org./age/hudson.html
4. The Portuguese Explorers Memorial University of Newfoundland online at:www.heritage.nf.ca/exploration/default.html
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid.
7. The Death of Captain Cook by Alistair MacLean online at:http://mmbc.bc.ca/source/schoolnet/exploration/cookdeath.html
8. Space exploration has been a history of sky-high risks at Space Daily online at www.spacedaily.com/2003/030204083301.fg5lczfs