Week 9: Space and Art

I enjoyed this week’s topic a lot, mostly because of my family connection to the topic. My grandfather worked for Rocketdyne, a company that built, among other things, main engines for NASA’s space shuttles, which went into orbit to support the International Space Station (Dunbar). Watching the lectures for this week prompted me to give him a call and ask more about his experience, and he shared with me some information about temperature sensors, turbo plates, and combustion chamber cooling that he specifically helped to develop (Harmon & Roschak).

A photo of the space shuttle docking with the ISS

It is amazing how important the space race was for not only my grandfather, but also America in general. Due to such contention with Russia, especially after Russia beat the US into space with their satellite, Sputnik, space technology became heavily valued and thus, so did math and science education (Vesna). Landing on the Moon was a proud moment for the United States, as this allowed us to demonstrate our technological prowess to our enemies (Vesna).

A depiction of space in Star Wars 

Given how important this period of time was for Americans and our sense of nationalism, as well as how unknown and intriguing the depths of space are, it is no wonder that a whole genre of science fiction has been created around space. Star Wars, E.T., and other movies have become beloved household names due to the wonder they create in our minds (Vesna). Artists have become interested in drawing, painting, filming, photographing, and imagining space, and are an important part of helping us to imagine our futures in space. Artists like B.E. Johnson and George Lucas help us to visualize the world out there and think about what living in space could be like (Johnson).

Artist B.E. Johnson took a photograph of the space shuttle main engine (SSME) - which my grandfather was part of developing!

Works Cited

Dunbar, Brian. “Space Shuttle Main Engine Enhancements Fact Sheet.” NASA, NASA, Aug. 2000, www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news/background/facts/ssme.html. 

Harmon, T.J., and Edmund J Roschak. “Orbital Transfer Rocket Engine Technology 7.5K-LB Thrust Rocket Engine Preliminary Design.” NASA, NASA, 15 Oct. 1993, ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19940022710. 

Johnson , B.E. “Astronomical, Spacecraft, Advanced Concept & Science Fiction 3D Illustration.” The Space Art of B.E.Johnson, imperialearth.com/spaceart.html. 

Johnson , B.E. “Thrust of the Matter.” Space Art, imperialearth.com/imaget.php?filename=ssme.jpg&title=The%20Thrust%20of%20the%20Matter. 

“Space Battle Over Christophsis Republic Fleet VS Admiral Trench - Star Wars: The Clone Wars 1080p HD.” YouTube, ARC Trooper TV, 12 Dec. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CeubzdO1hg. 

“Space Shuttle Docking with ISS.” NASA, NASA, 23 Mar. 2004, www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/factsheet/shuttle_mir_factsheet.html. 

Vesna , Victoria, director. 8 Space pt2 1280x720. YouTube, Uconlineprogram, 29 July 2013, youtu.be/hLZMDpoP-u0. 

Vesna , Victoria, director. Space pt4. YouTube, Uconlineprogram, 30 May 2012, youtu.be/J5ClKO6AJPo. 

Vesna , Victoria, director. Space pt6. YouTube, Uconlineprogram, 30 May 2012, youtu.be/VYmOtFjIj0M.