Defense

Visiting the Lockheed Martin Space Experience was an amazing opportunity to see how a defense contracting company operates. From walking into the lobby I was impressed by the giant globe standing in the middle of the room with lights and TV screens representing a different part of the world. To the right there was a display case filled with models of ships, missiles, rockets, planes, and satellites, each of which Lockheed Martin helped to create.

            In the back room we were shown a live feed from one of their satellites of the Earth, followed by a series of model rockets they have helped to develop since the Cold War. It was amazing to think about how far we have come as humans since the sixties. The guide showed us missiles, new cockpits for space travel and what I thought was most interesting, interceptors. These interceptors can lock onto an enemy’s rocket and collide into it before it ever hits the ground using infrared sensors. They had pictures of North Korean military bases on the wall, storm systems, and planets. He told us things I thought only existed in movies.

            The company was truly a sight to behold and an amazing experience. If I was not so terrible at science and math I would love to be able to work on satellites to ensure our cell phones work and so we can perform experiments on the International Space Station. Or I could develop missiles and interceptors. Instead I will focus on making sure we use missiles and interceptors as little as possible.

-Evan