The Heat discusses growth in space exploration

The Heat

Space exploration has seen a resurgence of sorts with more countries and more planned missions to Pluto, Mars, Jupiter and beyond.

In 1961, then U.S. President John F. Kennedy announced an ambitious goal of sending an American safely to the moon by the end of the decade. Eight years later, Neil Armstrong became the first to set foot on the lunar surface. More space missions followed, including the development of an international space station and reusable space shuttle, now retired.

But in recent years, the race to space seemed to take a back seat as the United States, Russia, and other countries tightened budgets and set priorities closer to home — until now that is. CCTV America’s John Zarrella reported this story.

The Heat interviewed Commander Chris Hadfield, a former astronaut, leading NASA innovator, and a space historian about the future of space exploration. Hadfield is the first Canadian astronaut to walk in space and the first to command the International Space Station.

The Heat also interviewed a panel of experts on space exploration:

  • Rob Manning, one of NASA’s chief innovators and mission specialists
  • Valerie Neal, a historian and curator with the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.