Space, STEM, and US Space, STEM, and US SocietySociety

Dr John M. JuristDr John M. Jurist

Adjunct Professor of Space StudiesAdjunct Professor of Space StudiesOdegard School of Aerospace SciencesOdegard School of Aerospace Sciences

University of North DakotaUniversity of North DakotaAdjunct Professor of Biophysics and AviationAdjunct Professor of Biophysics and Aviation

Rocky Mountain CollegeRocky Mountain College

The Early ContextThe Early Context• The space race during the cold war with the

Soviet Union was abetted by the news media:– Driven by resulting public hysteria– Driven by the media

• Major driver of the early stages of the space with feedback between media and public

• Significant component of the space race led to human space flight

To Make Matters Worse – To Make Matters Worse –

The Big Picture - 1The Big Picture - 1• Creation of National Science

Foundation by Eisenhower administration

• Emphasis on study of science and math• Associated production of scientists,

mathematicians, and engineers became national priority

Prepping for the ZenithPrepping for the Zenith

The Zenith– 1969 The Zenith– 1969

The Nadir– 1972 The Nadir– 1972

The Big Picture - 2The Big Picture - 2

• Infusion of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers into US society created virtual explosion of technical knowledge

• Much of this knowledge and technology resulted directly or indirectly from space program

• Link knowledge explosion to our current standard of living

The Big Picture - 3The Big Picture - 3• Much of the knowledge came from

people inspired by space program to choose technical careers

• Studied in Detail–Dr Haym Benaroya–Rutgers University

Present Acronym – STEMPresent Acronym – STEM

• Science• Technology• Engineering• Mathematics

Illustration – GPS – 1Illustration – GPS – 1

• Modern GPS technology benefits all of us

• Evolved from military space • Few people know that GPS timing

signals stamp electronic bank transactions and synchronize computer networks

Illustration – GPS – 2 Illustration – GPS – 2 • GPS used for variety of other

applications:– Navigation – land, air, sea– Monitoring land shifts – geology and

geophysics– Wildlife biology and conservation,

ecology– Military – major benefits for warfighters

Integration into SocietyIntegration into Society• Space technology integrated into

essentially all aspects of economy and society at large

• Synergism between military and civilian space technology and infrastructure

• Military space much larger than NASA• Most of our public is unaware of this

history

The Bigger Picture – 1 The Bigger Picture – 1

• Computers – spread like mushrooms in lawns

• First microcomputer: Altair (1970s)– Developed by military subcontractors in

Albuquerque as hobby kit (MITS)– Attracted Bill Gates (BASIC interpreter)

• Early phases of technology driven by need for miniaturization of electronics during cold war

The Bigger Picture – 2 The Bigger Picture – 2

The Bigger Picture – 3 The Bigger Picture – 3 • Satellite-based communications• Real-time world-wide communications (eg

car satellite radios, On-Star, etc)• Essential for Earth-sensing studies

– Fire and pollution monitoring– Modern agriculture– Weather prediction better than Grandpa Joe’s

joint pain• Telemedicine –pioneered by space program

Modern Medical Technology – 1 Modern Medical Technology – 1 • Physiological monitoring developed and

produced as adjuncts for early human high performance aviation and space flight by aerospace electronics firms led to modern medical facilities:– Emergency rooms– Intensive care units – eg Max Weil’s shock ward– Operating rooms– Cardiac telemetry

• Adopted rapidly into clinical practice

Modern Medical Technology – 2 Modern Medical Technology – 2

• Holter monitors– Norman Holter (1914-1983)– Born and died in Helena, MT– UCLA trained physicist turned biophysicist– Worked as administrator at UCSD– Prototype weighed 85 lbs in 1949– Reduced to practicality by Del Mar Avionics

(near SD) after Deke Slayton’s AF

Modern Medical Technology – 3 Modern Medical Technology – 3

Modern Medical Technology – 4 Modern Medical Technology – 4

• Physiological monitors developed by Spacelabs Healthcare (Issaquah, WA)

• Now in Snoqualmie, WA

Modern Medical Technology – 5 Modern Medical Technology – 5

• NASA contracted Spacelabs to solve tough clinical challenge of wireless monitoring of Gemini astronauts’ vital signs

• Evolved into other physiological monitoring and anesthesia systems

• Acquired Del Mar Holter and others

Modern Medical Technology – 6 Modern Medical Technology – 6 • DEXA machines for diagnosing

osteoporosis and monitoring treatment– Prototypes developed at University of Wisconsin

Medical School and SSEC – 1960s– NASA and AEC funding for precise bone mass

measurement – bone loss in microgravity– J R Cameron, J M Jurist, J A Sorenson, R B

Mazess: New methods of skeletal status evaluation in space flight, Aerospace Medicine, 40:1119 (Oct. 69)

– LUNAR Radiation Madison, WI now GELunar

Modern Medical Technology – 7 Modern Medical Technology – 7

ConcernsConcerns

• Declining US student interest in STEM• US imports significant fraction of our

STEM expertise• Consuming our intellectual seed corn?• Will that affect future standard of living?• Will US ability to participate/compete in

the world economy dwindle?

SignificanceSignificance

• Standard of living• Informed citizens• Dangers of ignorance

Informed CitizensInformed Citizens

• Asked to form/hold opinions on scientific and technical issues with far-reaching implications

• Danger of being demagogued• Danger of corrupted science

when politicians get involved

An Example – Billings and SOAn Example – Billings and SO22

• 1970’s – Billings had significant problem• 24 hr exposure standards set by EPA• Minimal standards set by EPA with state

option to set more restrictive and shorter term standards

• Why shorter standards?– Large fluctuations over short term– Lethal 10 min exposure during short-term spike

may have 24 hr average under standard

An Example – Billings and SOAn Example – Billings and SO22

• Montana Board of Health & Environmental Sciences set standard of about 2/3 EPA

• Legislature directs DHES to roll back in Yellowstone County only

• Attempts to explain process to legislators triggers accusations of being “anti-job”

A Disturbing TrendA Disturbing Trend

• Shading conclusions to keep grant money (and indirect costs for institutions) flowing

• Corrupts the scientific process• Coarsens debate• Budding scientists need more ethical

training

A Warning - 1A Warning - 1

President Eisenhower farewell speech 17 Jan 61“Today, the solitary inventor, tinkering in his shop,

has been overshadowed by task forces of scientists in laboratories and testing fields. In the same fashion, the free university, historically the fountainhead of free ideas and scientific discovery, has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research. Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity. ...

A Warning - 2A Warning - 2“... For every old blackboard there are now

hundreds of new electronic computers. The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present -- and is gravely to be regarded.

“Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite.”

How to Further STEMHow to Further STEM

• Every 4 year old is a scientist• Most 10-12 year olds lose interest• Make STEM “cool”• Get scientists into schools -- problems of

unions, untrained teachers, etc.• Science fairs -- humans are competitive• Rockets -- Estes rockets illustrate broad

spectrum of scientific principles

The FutureThe Future

• What kind of society and world do we want for our children?

• US role in world -- economic, political, etc.• How do we define “improvement”?• Actual information as basis for decision-

making -- lack of STEM competency• Fork in the societal road

Thank You!!Thank You!!