SpacecraftGuide, Author at Spacecraft Guide

April 23, 2025April 23, 2025

The Space Shuttle’s Compass Card

The Space Shuttle’s Compass Card: The Overlooked Hero That Let the Space Shuttle Land Like an Airplane

There’s a quiet hero in the cockpit of the Space Shuttle. It doesn’t get the flashy headlines like the SRBs or the orange tank. It’s not fiery or fast. It doesn’t punch through the atmosphere or light up the sky. But without it, the Shuttle would never have touched down like a bird returning home from the stars.

That unsung hero?

The Space Shuttle’s Compass Card.

Yes, that simple-looking gray ring nestled in the Shuttle’s Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI). It’s not just a throwback to aviation’s golden age—it is the very DNA of flight, stretching from barnstormers and airmail pilots to Mach 25 returns from orbit.

Let me explain why this humble instrument made the Shuttle the only spacecraft in human history that could go to orbit and land on a runway like a plane.

🚀 Flying Home from Orbit Like an Airplane

The Shuttle wasn’t just a spacecraft. It was a flying machine. The moment it reentered Earth’s atmosphere, it became an unpowered glider—one with the glide ratio of a brick, mind you—but a glider nonetheless. And that meant it had to fly a precise heading, align with a real-world runway, and touch down with grace. And the compass card? It was essential for that.

The Compass Card displayed magnetic heading—not true north, not star trackers, but good old-fashioned magnetic north. Just like airplanes use.

Why? Because every runway on Earth is aligned to magnetic north. If you’re landing on Runway 27, that’s a 270° magnetic heading. Runway 14? That’s 140°. Pilots navigate with magnetic headings because runways are charted that way. And the Shuttle, when it came home, wasn’t aiming for a helipad or splashdown zone—it was threading a needle for Kennedy Space Center’s Runway 15 (or Edwards Air Force Base’s Runway 22, if needed). You don’t land a spaceplane on a splash.

That’s why the compass card wasn’t some antiquated leftover. It was the key to aligning a vehicle returning from 17,500 mph to wheels on the ground—on a centerline.

✈️ Roots in the Cockpit: From Airmail to Astronauts

Long before the Shuttle, long before jetliners and GPS, there were the airmail pilots of the 1920s and ’30s. They flew through around clouds, storms, and darkness with only a magnetic compass to guide them. No fancy heading indicators, no radio nav. Just magnetic north and grit.

Their runways? Aligned with magnetic headings.

Their navigation? Dead reckoning and compass turns.

Their legacy? Embedded directly into the Shuttle’s cockpit.

The compass card in the Shuttle might look digital, might be nestled among some of the most advanced avionics ever built—but its logic is pure, vintage aviation. It rotates counterclockwise as your heading increases clockwise. It shows where you’re pointing, not in celestial terms, but in magnetic ones—just like the airmail pilots needed.

That’s not nostalgia. That’s engineering continuity from the dawn of flight to the era of reusable spaceplanes.

🛬 Why It Matters: The Most Successful Reusable Rocket Ever Built

Let’s not forget what the Shuttle pulled off:

Launched like a rocket
Orbited like a satellite
Reentered like a meteor
Landed like an airplane

No other crewed spacecraft in history—not Soyuz, not Apollo, not Dragon, not even Starship yet—has flown multiple people to orbit and back and landed them on a runway.

The Shuttle did it 135 times.

Each of those landings relied on magnetic navigation, powered by the Compass Card, to align with a real-world, Earth-based runway. And the fact that it landed with wings instead of parachutes gave the Shuttle precision, reusability, and a true pilot’s cockpit—something no capsule could offer.

And while the Shuttle program is retired, the legacy of that Compass Card lives on. It reminds us that flight—whether across the prairie or from orbit—demands precision, orientation, and awareness of where you are and where you’re heading.

💫 Final Thoughts from Your Spaceflight Instructor

Next time you see a picture of the Shuttle cockpit, look down at the lower half of the Primary Flight Display. Find that gray ring—the Compass Card. Think about every pilot, astronaut, and engineer who trusted it to bring them home.

And remember: from biplanes to spaceplanes, magnetic heading still rules the runway.

Enjoyed this post? Share it with your fellow spaceflight nerds, pilots, and dreamers. And if you want deeper dives into Shuttle systems, procedures, and instruments—consider joining me over on Patreon. Let’s keep flying.

Our Most Popular e-Book on the Apollo Spacecraft

Apollo 11 Guide: Interactive Guide of the First Spacecraft to Bring Man to the Moon

We took the paper version of the NASA Apollo Operations Handbook (AOH) for the Apollo Command Module and converted it to an electronic format with a better font for easier reading. The hyperlinked content allows the reader to find Apollo program content 3 times faster than normal e-books. And the Pinch and Zoom images allow for diagrams to be enlarged for easy viewing. This section contains information identifying the physical characteristics of the docking system and the operations associated with docking and separation. Take a look HERE

The legacy of the space experiments is vast. From pinpointing the Earth’s distance from the Moon to inspiring the GPS technology we rely on daily. This small device has done so much. See more articles like this at our Blog – Spacecraft Guide. Share this article to show why we must keep reaching for the stars.

April 11, 2025April 13, 2025

FREE – How to Fly the Space Shuttle Chapter 1

Here is the first Chapter of my next book on How to Fly the Space Shuttle coming out soon.

Don’t miss the bonus material at the end of How to Fly the Space Shuttle. Just for doing the Quiz at the end of the Chapter.

Want to be on the mailing list to be the first to get this book at a huge discount when it comes out? Do the quiz at the end of the chapter.

How to Fly the Shuttle Chapter 1

Download

Our Most Popular e-Book on the Apollo Spacecraft

Apollo 11 Guide: Interactive Guide of the First Spacecraft to Bring Man to the Moon

March 21, 2025March 24, 2025

First and Still Unmatched Reusable Rocket

The Space Shuttle: The First and Still Unmatched Reusable Rocket

Before SpaceX, before Falcon 9, and before the Artemis program, NASA achieved something no one had done before: a reusable rocket system that could throttle its engines and launch astronauts into space over and over again. The Space Shuttle wasn’t just another spacecraft—it was a game-changer that set the foundation for modern rocketry.

Even today, no other engine has matched what the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) accomplished. Designed to be started 55 times and take the Spacecraft into Hypersonic Speeds, it was the first and still unmatched reusable rocket engine that is throttleable ever built. Unlike SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster, which is recovered and reused but doesn’t reach Low Earth Orbit (LEO) itself, the Shuttle’s engines powered the spacecraft all the way into orbit.

$10 Billion Well Spent: A First Launch Success

Developing the Space Shuttle cost $10 billion, a fraction of what modern space programs require. And yet, on April 12, 1981, the very first flight of Columbia was a stunning success. Unlike many rockets that were ‘less than nominal’ ending in ‘unscheduled rapid disassembly’ in early test flights, NASA got it right the first time.

But they didn’t stop there. After every mission, NASA engineers took the engines apart, inspected them, and improved them. By the end of the Shuttle Program, these engines were 30% more efficient than when they first flew, making them some of the most refined rocket engines ever built.

The Legacy of the Space Shuttle: Powering the Artemis Generation

Even though the Space Shuttle retired in 2011, its engines live on. The same engines that once powered the Shuttle into orbit are now used on NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS)—the rocket that sent the Artemis mission back to the Moon. These engines, now called RS-25s, continue to be the most powerful and reliable engines available today.

The Space Shuttle proved that reusable rocketry was possible decades before anyone else could do it. While private companies like SpaceX lead by Tom Mueller’s genius have made huge strides in rocket recovery, no engine has matched the Shuttle’s. The ability to take a spacecraft all the way into orbit and then be reused has yet to be achieved.

The Legacy of the Space Shuttle: Help Promote the Facts!

NASA’s legacy isn’t just in the past, it’s paving the way for the future. With Artemis, the same engineering brilliance that created the First and Still Unmatched Reusable Rocket is now sending humanity back to the Moon. And beyond to Mars. Help promote science facts by joining use for free at the Spacecraft Interactive Virtual Reality Museum.

Our Most Popular e-Book on the Apollo Spacecraft

Apollo 11 Guide: Interactive Guide of the First Spacecraft to Bring Man to the Moon

March 12, 2025March 12, 2025

The NASA $100 Billion Mistake

Slashing NASA’s Budget in Half? A $100 Billion Mistake

Imagine you found an investment where for every dollar you put in, you got $8 back. Sounds too good to be true, right? But this is exactly what space exploration gives us. For every $1 the U.S. government spends on NASA, the economy sees an $8 return in the form of new technology, jobs, and entire industries that didn’t exist before. Cutting NASA’s budget in half would mean throwing away hundreds of billions of dollars in future economic growth.

The Fancy Car Budget: A Recipe for Financial Disaster

Now, let’s put this into perspective. Imagine you’re making a budget for your life. You’ve been smart, putting money into an investment that turns every dollar into eight. But suddenly, you decide to cut your investment in half so you can buy a brand-new, luxury car every year to impress your friends.

At first, it feels great. You get to show off your wealth, and everyone tells you how successful you are. But after a few years, that decision catches up to you. The money you could have saved and grown is gone. The fancy cars have lost their value, and now you’re stuck without a safety net.

That’s exactly what we’re doing by slashing NASA’s budget. Instead of putting money into something that creates new industries, supports high-paying jobs, and fuels innovation, we’re spending it elsewhere—without thinking about the long-term consequences.

The NASA $100 Billion Mistake for America’s Future

NASA is an investment in our future. Cutting its budget in half will cost the United States $100 billion in lost GDP. That’s not just a number—it’s lost jobs, lost businesses, and lost technological breakthroughs.

Think about GPS, weather forecasting, and the computer economy—none of these would exist without space exploration. What future industries are we throwing away by making short-sighted budget cuts? The next revolution in energy, medicine, or transportation could be waiting for us in space, but only if we invest in it now.

Washington wants to cut $12,437,200,000 out of a $24,875,000,000 budget. With an 8 to 1 ROI, that equates to $100,000,000,000 removed for the Government future reserves. China is already taking advantage of our divesting in NASA to catch-up in competency on space exploration and may pull ahead in the next 4 years.

Cutting NASA’s budget might seem like a quick way to save money, but in reality, it’s like throwing away a winning lottery ticket because you don’t feel like waiting to cash it in. If we want the U.S. to remain a global leader in technology and innovation, we need to double down on space exploration—not slash it in half.

The legacy of the lunar experiments is vast. From pinpointing the Earth’s distance from the Moon to inspiring the GPS technology we rely on daily, this small device has done so much. To see more details on the benefits of Space Explanation, check out our post, Laser Ranging Retro Reflector. See more articles like this at our Blog – Spacecraft Guide. Share this article to show why we must keep reaching for the stars.

Our Latest e-Book on the Apollo Spacecraft

APOLLO OPERATIONS HANDBOOK BLOCK II SPACECRAFT : Docking and Transfer

We took the paper version of the NASA Apollo Operations Handbook (AOH) for the Apollo Command Module and converted it to an electronic format with a better font for easier reading. The hyperlinked content allows the reader to find Apollo program content 3 times faster than normal e-books. And the Pinch and Zoom images allow for diagrams to be enlarged for easy viewing. This section contains the information identifying the physical characteristics of the docking system and the operations associated with docking and separation. Take a look HERE

March 7, 2025March 7, 2025

Apollo’s $540 Billion Legacy

How the Moon Landing Launched the App Economy

When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the Moon in 1969, they weren’t just making history. They were laying the groundwork for the App Market industry that would one day be Apollo’s $540 billion Legacy. While most people associate the Apollo missions with rockets, lunar landings, and space suits, one of the most transformative innovations came from something far less visible—the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC).

It Started in the 1960’s

Developed by the brilliant minds at MIT, the AGC was groundbreaking in more ways than one. It was one of the first computers to use the concept of an application-based system, allowing astronauts to run multiple programs efficiently and switch between critical tasks with ease. At a time when computers filled entire rooms, Apollo engineers pioneered the concept of compact, efficient, and user-friendly software—something that would later evolve into the apps we use every day.

Fast forward to today, and the app market is an economic powerhouse. Every time you check your GPS for directions, track your fitness, or even scroll through social media, you’re using a system that traces its origins back to Apollo. One of the most crucial examples? Navigation apps. Without the Apollo-era advancements in software and guidance systems, we wouldn’t have the seamless, real-time navigation apps that help us avoid traffic, save gas, and reduce air pollution.

If The Apollo $540 Billion Legacy Was Removed

Imagine a world without Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Without these apps, commutes would be longer, fuel consumption would skyrocket, and cities would experience even worse congestion and pollution. The very concept of efficient, app-based navigation stems from the work done to put astronauts on the Moon and safely bring them home.

Investing in space exploration isn’t just about reaching the stars—it’s about fostering innovations that transform life on Earth. The Apollo missions didn’t just get us to the Moon; they built the foundation for a digital revolution. As we push forward toward the next era of lunar exploration, the question isn’t whether we should go back. It’s how much we stand to gain when we do.

Supporting space exploration means investing in the next wave of technological breakthroughs—ones that could redefine our economy, just like Apollo did. The next trillion-dollar industry could be waiting on the Moon. Will we seize it?

Let’s Take Action Together!
The Moon’s legacy lives in our technology. The legacy of Apollo still fuels our modern lives. It’s time to spread the word about what space exploration does for us. And the next time you use a computer, you can thank Exploring the Moon. See more articles like this at our Blog – Spacecraft Guide. Share this article to show why we must keep reaching for the stars.

Our Latest e-Book on the Apollo Spacecraft

APOLLO OPERATIONS HANDBOOK BLOCK II SPACECRAFT : Docking and Transfer

We took the paper version of the NASA Apollo Operations Handbook (AOH) for the Apollo Command Module and converted it to an electronic format with a better font for easier reading. The hyperlinked content allows the reader to find Apollo program content 3 times faster than normal e-books. And the Pinch and Zoom images allow for diagrams to be enlarged for easy viewing. This section contains the information identifying the physical characteristics of the docking system and the operations associated with docking and separation. Take a look HERE

January 29, 2025January 29, 2025

The $15.1 Billion Reason

The $15.1 Billion Reason to Invest in Space Exploration

Imagine waking up one morning to find that GPS has stopped working. No more turn-by-turn navigation, no more precise logistics for global shipping. And—most critically—no more high-tech farming tools that drive modern agriculture. The cost? A staggering $15.1 billion loss to the agricultural industry alone being passed on to the public.

Farmers today rely heavily on GPS for precision agriculture. Without it, they would lose the ability to analyze soil quality and crop performance through GPS-enabled soil and yield mapping. Tractors using GPS guidance and autosteer technology would be forced to operate manually, reducing efficiency and increasing fuel costs. Variable-rate technology, which allows farmers to apply fertilizers and pesticides with pinpoint accuracy, would be rendered useless, leading to lower crop yields and higher production costs. The absence of GPS wouldn’t just be an inconvenience—it would create a ripple effect of economic and food supply instability.

What many people don’t realize is that none of this technology would exist without the Apollo missions.

The $15.1 Billion Reason How the Apollo Missions Made GPS Possible

When NASA sent astronauts to the Moon, they weren’t just exploring space—they were solving fundamental problems in physics. One of their most groundbreaking achievements was determining the exact distance between the Earth and the Moon. To accomplish this, Apollo astronauts placed Lunar Ranging Retroreflectors on the Moon’s surface. These special mirrors allowed scientists to bounce lasers off them and measure the time it took for the light to return. This method provided an unprecedented level of accuracy in measuring distances across space, refining our understanding of celestial mechanics.

In addition to these reflectors, Apollo missions deliberately crashed spacecraft into the Moon to study how seismic waves traveled through its surface. These experiments provided critical insights into the Moon’s composition and movement, contributing to models that would later be used to improve global positioning systems.

Perhaps most importantly, the Apollo program helped perfect Albert Einstein’s equations on space-time. These equations are the very foundation of how GPS satellites function. Without the data collected from lunar experiments, the precise calculations required for GPS positioning might never have been achieved.

Space Exploration: The $15.1 Billion Reason to Investment in Our Future

The economic benefits of space exploration are extending far beyond the Moon. The Apollo missions paved the way for countless breakthroughs in computing, materials science, and communications. Today, space research is continuing to drive innovations that power industries across the globe.

Investing in space isn’t just about exploring other worlds—it’s about ensuring that our own world continues to thrive. Every dollar spent on space technology fuels advancements that improve life on Earth, from GPS-driven agriculture to climate monitoring and global connectivity. The Apollo missions proved that when we invest in space, we invest in the future of our economy, our technology, and our survival.

The next time someone questions the value of space exploration, remind them that without it, the systems we depend on—including GPS—could disappear, taking trillions of dollars and critical industries down with them. Space is not just the next great frontier. It is the key to sustaining the one we call home.

The legacy of the LRRR experiment is vast. From pinpointing the Earth’s distance from the Moon to inspiring the GPS technology we rely on daily, this small device has done so much. To see more details on how the LRRR works, check out our post, Laser Ranging Retro Reflector. See more articles like this at our Blog – Spacecraft Guide. Share this article to show why we must keep reaching for the stars.

January 21, 2025January 21, 2025

Every Ounce of Apollo

The Economic Benefits of Moon Exploration: How Every Ounce of Apollo Changed the World

When you think of the Apollo missions, you might imagine astronauts leaping across the lunar surface or gazing at Earth from afar. But what if I told you that every ounce of equipment aboard those missions not only advanced our understanding of space but also created ripple effects that transformed the global economy?

From pioneering GPS technology to uncovering the Moon’s internal structure, the Apollo missions were investments in knowledge and innovation that paid dividends far beyond the stars.

Crashing for Knowledge: Unlocking the Moon’s Secrets

The Apollo missions weren’t just about planting flags—they were about conducting groundbreaking experiments. Among the most fascinating were the seismic experiments, which involved deliberately crashing spacecraft components, like the lunar modules and rocket stages, into the Moon’s surface.

Why? These impacts sent seismic waves rippling through the Moon, waves that were recorded by instruments left behind by astronauts. By analyzing how these waves traveled, scientists determined that the Moon’s crust contains minerals like pyroxene and that its core is a mix of iron and sulfur. Even more intriguing, the Moon’s “tidal locking”—the phenomenon that causes the same side to always face Earth—is a direct result of its unique mass distribution.

This data didn’t just deepen our understanding of the Moon; it also helped refine Albert Einstein’s theories on space-time. In turn, these refinements laid the groundwork for GPS technology, which is now integral to our modern economy, from navigation apps to global logistics.

Investing in Space: Profits Beyond the Moon

The Apollo program proves a compelling truth: investments in space exploration yield tangible economic benefits. The technologies developed for these missions led to advancements in materials science, computing, and telecommunications, industries that now contribute trillions to the global economy.

Even the concept of crashing spacecraft into the Moon has a direct parallel to modern innovation. By studying how impacts affect planetary surfaces, scientists are better equipped to develop asteroid-deflection strategies, a potential safeguard against catastrophic impacts on Earth.

Why Support Space Exploration?

When you support space exploration, you’re not just funding rockets and experiments; you’re investing in the future. Every breakthrough, from understanding seismic waves on the Moon to perfecting Einstein’s equations, generates technologies and knowledge that ripple through our economy and society.

So, the next time someone asks, “Why go to the Moon?” the answer is clear: because every mission is an investment in a better, more advanced future.

Together, we can continue to explore the cosmos, not just for the thrill of discovery but for the countless benefits it brings back to Earth. Let’s make the case for space exploration—because the next giant leap starts with us.

If this resonates with you, consider sharing this post or supporting efforts to educate others about the importance of space exploration. Together, we can make space the next frontier for economic growth and innovation.

So, what are you waiting for? Share this article now and ignite the conversation about the amazing science happening on our Moon! Follow us on Blog – Spacecraft Guide.

January 16, 2025January 17, 2025

Apollo 8-to-1 ROI

For every dollar spent on space exploration, the U.S. economy gains eight. Yes, you read that right—a staggering 8-to-1 ROI (return on investment). To put this in perspective, the defense industry—boasting the largest budget in the U.S. government—delivers a comparatively modest 2-to-1 ROI.

Let’s consider the Apollo Program, which not only achieved monumental space milestones but also laid the foundation for technologies like GPS. Initially developed for military use, GPS has since revolutionized the civilian economy, contributing $1.4 trillion to the U.S. economy and saving untold vehicle-miles and gallons of fuel. This transformative impact demonstrates how investments in space exploration can ripple across industries, benefiting both national defense and civilian life.

Now, imagine if we applied this same principle to address pressing challenges like rising sea levels. The U.S. Navy predicts that many of its ports will become unusable due to flooding. What if the military directed part of its budget toward space-based technologies, such as those used by NOAA’s satellites, to develop solutions for rising oceans? The potential savings—for rebuilding ports, safeguarding states like Florida, and mitigating insurance losses—are immense.

The ROI doesn’t stop at dollars saved. By investing in space exploration, we unlock innovations that enhance our national security, bolster the economy, and improve lives. The Apollo Program proved this decades ago, and the Artemis Program promises to do the same.

Supporting space exploration isn’t just about reaching the stars; it’s about securing our future here on Earth. With an 8-to-1 ROI, it’s a smart investment in innovation, defense, and economic growth.

January 7, 2025January 9, 2025

How Apollo Saves You Gas

How Apollo’s Navigation System is Paving the Way to Mars (and How Apollo Saves You Gas)

How Apollo Saves You Gas With Celestial Navigation

Did you know that your GPS owes its existence to the Apollo program? Long before satellites could guide your car to the nearest coffee shop, astronauts used a revolutionary navigation system to explore space. Apollo astronauts relied on celestial navigation, tracking three stars and measuring their positions with precise timing to pinpoint their spacecraft’s location. This groundbreaking technology made it possible to land humans on the Moon.

How Apollo Saves You Gas, The Numbers

Today, GPS operates on similar principles, using three geosynchronous satellites to triangulate your position based on time. The result? A technology that has transformed life on Earth. From 2007 to 2017 alone, GPS has saved Americans over one trillion vehicle-miles of driving and 52 billion gallons of fuel—reducing emissions, saving money, and making transportation more efficient.

How Apollo Saves You Gas and Gets US to Mars

But Apollo’s innovations didn’t just benefit Earth. They laid the foundation for exploring deeper into the cosmos. Spacecraft headed for Mars and beyond rely on navigation systems that expand on Apollo-era techniques. As a backup, these systems use cameras to capture images of stars around celestial bodies. By calculating the positions of those stars relative to the spacecraft, modern celestial navigation ensures safe and accurate interplanetary travel.

How Apollo Saves You Gas, the Connection

This connection between past achievements and future possibilities is why space exploration matters. The Apollo program was more than a giant leap for humanity; it was an investment in technologies that continue to revolutionize our lives. Whether it’s helping us drive smarter on Earth or guiding the next wave of explorers to Mars, Apollo’s legacy proves that the benefits of space travel ripple across generations.

Let’s Take Action Together

Supporting programs like Artemis and Mars missions isn’t just about reaching new worlds—it’s about building a smarter, more connected future for us all. Let’s keep reaching for the stars. See more articles like this at our Blog – Spacecraft Guide. Share this article to show why we must keep reaching for the stars.

January 1, 2025January 1, 2025

Moon Landings to $1.9 Trillion

Moon Landings to $1.9 Trillion: How Space Travel Changed the Economy

In 1960, President John F. Kennedy envisioned a bold future for America—a mission to the Moon. Between 1960 and 1973, the United States invested $25.8 billion in this audacious endeavor. Adjusted for inflation, that’s $257 billion today. But what did America get for those dollars? The answer might surprise you: the birth of the software industry.

The Creation of an Industry

Faced with the challenge of reducing weight for lunar missions, MIT developed a revolutionary computer system for NASA. It replaced room-sized, card-fed machines with suitcase-sized computers powered by electronic software and controlled via a keyboard. (See an explanation of the Apollo Computer here). All of this was based on Alan Turing’s creation of a Computer with an Electronic Memory (See Turing’s Computer with an electronic memory here). This groundbreaking technology made real-time calculations in a device the size of a suitcase possible—something previously unimaginable.

Moon Landings to $1.9 Trillion: How We got the Benefits

Fast forward to today, and the software industry, sparked by this lunar innovation, directly and indirectly employs 15.8 million Americans. In 2020 alone, it contributed $1.9 trillion to the U.S. economy and drove 27% of all business research and development investments.

The Apollo 8 crew launches on the first manned mission to the Moon. On December 29, 1968, From Moon Landings to $1.9 Trillion Industry, NASA Helped Give the United States it’s Economic Superiority. NASA Photo 6871798

That’s a return on investment of 1 to 7.4—a sevenfold payback in one year alone! And the benefits keep growing. Imagine what could happen if we reinvested in space exploration. With the Artemis Program poised to return humanity to the Moon, the potential for new innovations—and their economic impacts—is limitless.