Nazi Germany developed sophisticated rockets and missiles during the second World War. In the early Cold War, the German rocket and missile programs assisted the United States and the Soviet Union to develop their own programs.
For this activity, explore rocket and missile programs of the past for the United States and the Soviet Union and of today's multitude of international countries and private companies. Use information from a credible source and use your new knowledge to compare and contrast these past programs of the United States and Soviet duopoly with the multitude of international countries and private companies involved today in rocket and missile programs.
Using one of the search for a current news story/event that demonstrates a chosen area of aviation over time for this assignment. Your current news selection must be within the last 180 days. Examine the news story or event, reflect, and consider all aspects and viewpoints the author provides.
In your initial post (must be 150 words), show a clear connection between the news story/event and the course materials. You may apply any lens you wish to use when constructing this assignment: historic, scientific, technological, engineering, or math. Summarize the story and explain the cause and effect relationships for your chosen area (lens) of aviation for this assignment.
Full Answer Section
international launch providers, highlights the
shift from government-controlled programs to a more commercialized and collaborative space industry.
This trend has several implications:
- Faster innovation: Collaboration allows for a wider pool of expertise and resources, potentially accelerating technological advancements.
- Reduced costs: Sharing resources and infrastructure can make space exploration more affordable.
- Focus on diverse applications: The focus has broadened beyond military uses to encompass scientific research, communication, and even commercial ventures.
However, challenges remain, such as ensuring international cooperation and managing potential competition for resources. Overall, the transformation from Cold War rivalry to today's international collaboration marks a significant shift in the world of rocket and missile programs
Sample Answer
The shadow of the US-Soviet space race looms large, but today's landscape of rocket and missile programs is vastly different. During the Cold War, driven by military competition, both superpowers poured resources into developing ever-more powerful rockets – the same technology that launched Sputnik and Yuri Gagarin. Today, the focus has shifted from competition to collaboration. Numerous international space agencies and private companies are working together to develop rockets for scientific exploration, communication satellites, and even space tourism.
For a current example, we can look at the recent news (January 18, 2024) of Virgin Orbit successfully launching a LauncherOne rocket from a modified Boeing 747 [Source: Virgin Orbit Completes First Nighttime Launch, Delivers Satellites to Orbit]. This mission, a collaboration between an American private company and