Experts weigh in on space future

OSHKOSH -
A sight that has forged memories and driven curious minds for 30 years wound down Friday, as the Space Shuttle Atlantis blasted into orbit for what is scheduled to be the last time.

"It lights up the sky no matter what time of day it is," space researcher Aileen Yingst said of a shuttle launch. "The sound of it rocks you right in the chest, it's like being physically pushed back. It is awe inspiring and it reminds you that what a difficult and tremendous thing it is to send people into space."

Aileen Yingst has watched many launches in her career, but has mixed feelings about this one, one of the shuttle program's final missions.

"It is not the forefront of technology anymore," Yingst said. She says it is time the program is retired, but feels sad there is nothing to replace it.

Experts at the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh aren't surprised. They say space exploration has long been a product of pressures.

"Back in the 1960's there were political pressures, military pressures and also kind of a responsibility commercially to get the space program up and rolling, America was in competition with the Soviets at the time," Dick Knapinski with EAA explained.

Knapinski says you need that kind of momentum to push technology forward. While EAA doesn't focus on space, the association has hosted many astronauts and perhaps the future of space exploration at it's annual Air Venture celebration.

Knapinski says many astronauts are disappointed America is giving up it's dominance in space, letting other countries or commercial enterprises like Virgin Galactic take the lead in exploration and perhaps space tourism.

"That's never been tried before and I'm a firm believer in trying things," Yingst said.

No matter the avenue, Yingst hopes space programs continue. She says they have real impact on earth.

"If you've had an MRI, if you've had a cat scan, if you've ever had to use a fetal heart monitor or pacemaker or GPS, if you've ever used a computer or a laptop," she says you've seen the value.