Unit 6 Issue Paper

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Park University *

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300

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Arts Humanities

Date

Jan 9, 2024

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Table data Park University Unit 6: Issue Paper Compare and Contrast “The Right Stuff” and “How to Make a Spaceship” LE300: IILC: Commercial Use of Outer Space "Right Stuff," first published in 1979, thoroughly documents the early days of the United States space program and NASA's selection of the Mercury Seven astronauts, depicting their transformation from test pilots to famous characters in space exploration. (Wolfe, 2008) Tom Wolfe digs into their lives, personalities, and the difficult challenges they encountered, portray- ing the essence of daring and heroism as they traveled into unexplored space regions. In contrast, "How to Make a Spaceship," released in 2016, describes the rise of private spaceflight and the unwavering efforts of brilliant mavericks like Peter Diamandis, Burt Rutan, and Elon Musk to democratize space travel outside government constraints. (Guthrie, 2017) Julian Guthrie's story focuses on their creative thinking, unrelenting pursuit of goals, and the rise of companies like SpaceX and the Ansari XPRIZE, which aim to increase access to space exploration. (Guthrie, 2017) While both books examine the human side of space exploration, they do so from different

1 perspectives: the personal and psychological dimensions in "Right Stuff" contrast with the depic- tion of traditional government astronauts, whereas "How to Make a Spaceship" emphasizes the entrepreneurial spirit and disruptive visionaries propelling private space exploration beyond con- ventional boundaries. The investigation of the human spirit in Tom Wolfe's "Right Stuff" focuses on diving into the psychological and personal regions of the astronauts, providing a fascinating insight into their inner workings. Wolfe depicts the Mercury Seven astronauts scrupulously, revealing their con- cerns, goals, and the mental strength necessary to manage the hardships of space travel. (Wolfe, 2008) The book eloquently depicts the enormous fortitude, unflinching bravery, and incredible strain that these select individuals experienced as they launched on a revolutionary trip into the universe. Wolfe's story stresses the exceptional attributes that catapulted these astronauts into the public view as larger-than-life individuals, virtually mythologizing their accomplishments and contributions to space travel. Their efforts were viewed as heroic, presenting them as icons of bravery and pioneering spirit, molding public opinion and solidifying their status as legendary personalities in space history. Wolfe portrays not just the exterior exploits of these astronauts but also their internal fights via sophisticated narrative, demonstrating the depth of human persever- ance and the triumph of the human spirit in the face of severe obstacles inherent in space travel. (Wolfe, 2008) The portrayal of space exploration in "Right Stuff" by Tom Wolfe and "How to Make a Spaceship" by Julian Guthrie differs dramatically. While "Right Stuff" methodically concentrates on established astronaut characters inside government programs, digging into the lives, prob- lems, and accomplishments of NASA's Mercury Seven astronauts, "How to Make a Spaceship" flips the focus entirely. Guthrie's story honors a group of non-traditional pioneers—en-

2 trepreneurs, engineers, and visionaries—who opted to break the traditions of space exploration by pursuing private ventures. (Guthrie, 2017) This sharp difference highlights the books' con- trasting approaches to recounting the tale of human exploration beyond Earth's borders. "Right Stuff" captures astronauts' rigorous selection, training, and experiences in established govern- ment programs, emphasizing the institutionalized character of space travel. "How to Make a Spaceship", on the other hand, adopts a disruptive narrative, highlighting the original thinking, entrepreneurial energy, and risk-taking character of individuals creating new paths in space ex- ploration beyond the limits of official organizations. The contrast highlights the varied view- points offered by each book—traditional versus disruptive, institutional versus entrepreneurial— both of which provide important threads to the larger fabric of humanity's ceaseless quest of the universe. (Guthrie, 2017) The difference of ideas in Tom Wolfe's "Right Stuff" and Julian Guthrie's "How to Make a Spaceship" gives insight on the diverse environment of space travel. "Right Stuff" contrasts dramatically with Guthrie's glorification of non-traditional pioneers in "How to Make a Space- ship," highlighting their disruptive ideas and entrepreneurial fervor. Despite their opposing view- points, both books confirm humanity's unwavering pursuit of space exploration. They highlight various paths, such as the institutional rigor of government programs, and the bold innovation of private ventures toward the common goal of cosmic exploration and comprehension. These sto- ries are key historical markers, providing balancing perspectives on human space exploration. "Right Stuff" honors historic astronauts and government-led flights, while "How to Make a Spaceship" honors disruptive inventors and their transformational influence on space technology and accessibility. They bear witness to human creativity, perseverance, and an unwavering ambi-

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3 tion to explore beyond Earth, reflecting the diverse character of human exploration and our ever- changing cosmic goals.

4 References Guthrie, J. (2017). How to make a Spaceship: A band of renegades, an epic race, and the birth of Private spaceflight. Penguin Books. Wolfe, T. (2008). The right stuff. Picador.

Unit 6 Issue Paper

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