What is America Doing?

In an article on Scientific America http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=iran-launches-a-satellite-into-spac-2009-02-03
Iran claims to have launched a satellite into space. With Iran’s stated purpose, and Iran’s true desires set aside, this launch is truly disquieting.

This launch by Iran of a satellite, which shows that they are building a space program of there own, should be disquieting to all Americans. But not for the reasons of National security or the threat of Iran gaining a nuclear bomb and sitting it atop a space capable rocket. It should be alarming because it shows in dramatic fashion America’s complacency with its space program.

1957 – sputnik is launched and the space race between America and Russia is on.
1958 – The U.S. launches its own satellite and catches up with Russia.
1959 – Russia puts a craft on the surface of the moon.
1961 – Russia puts a man in space, merely 3 years after the first satellite is launched.
1961 – A month later, America sends their first astronaut into space.
1964 – America puts a craft on the surface of the moon.
1969 – America lands on the Moon.
1972 – America’s last mission to the moon.

What have we done since? Not very much, we have given a lot of technology away. We have stood by and watched, and in some instances helped others gain space.