Suchergebnisse

A realistic and comprehensive understanding of the international meaning of the United States civilian space effort depends, in the first instance, upon a recognition of its domestic character. As a national program, it is to be under stood in terms of its impact upon government, industry and university, its economic dimensions, and its technological im petus. Internationally, the program is then seen as a contribu tion to the continued viability and strength of the nation which shields the free world and as an example to other advanced countries seeking to stimulate their lagging technology. The program offers certain direct and immediate benefits to peoples everywhere, as well as opportunities for direct participation in co-operative space research and exploration. Over-all, the space program constitutes perhaps the most favorable projec tion of the American image abroad today. The element of prestige, often put forward as the principal value of the pro gram in the eyes of the world, has no significance except as it represents a clear or intuitive perception of the more substan tive factors discussed.

Space research and exploration are commonly considered the special province of the superpowers. The considerable financial resources and still greater technological capabilities required for programs of manned space flight and planetary investigation are widely assumed to be prerequisites for space research activity of any character. In fact, however, space research is richly varied, in objective and method as well as in material and financial requirements. Thus, it is possible for lesser powers and certain of the developing countries to participate in this newest area of human activity. The values to be achieved are not only scientific and technical but also political and economic. Tangible contributions can be made both to the domestic interests of such countries find to the space programs of major powers. The opportunities implicit in these facts were early recognized by the Latin American countries, particularly Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, and all are engaged in interesting, stimulating, and productive space activities.