Doing More by Doing Less: Digitally Preserving the Space Race

Michael B. Toth, President of R.B. Toth Associates LLC

Abstract:
Throughout and since the 20th Century Space Race, historic records have been preserved, effaced and replaced with new renditions on ever‐changing media. From 3‐dimensional objects, images and text on paper to electronic bits, various media have been used to preserve the history of the US space program, although some have been excised and lost during this process. Institutions are now tapping the latest imaging and computer processing and storage technologies to collect, preserve and display historic information digitally. Digitization can now reveal new insights and allow collaborative studies of previously lost historic texts and drawings
ranging from lunar visors and astronauts’ Robbins Medallions to maps and markings on walls.

While digital technologies allow the linkage and display of historical records from the space program, with the pace of technology development – including Artificial Intelligence – efforts to facilitate digital access and exhibition can contribute to loss of information. This leads to the paradox that less management and structure of a data set makes it more likely to be
accurately preserved for future generations.

Digitally displaying historic texts, drawings and artifacts can run at cross purposes with digital preservation. Structuring online or exhibit access to objects may require database management to group images or objects by relationships, explanatory texts and exhibits. These data are encoded in a specific form and format for viewing and research on current technical systems and displays. At best these may use open‐source code; at worst proprietary. Either way, technological changes can render all the underlying data, structured and relational links and supporting texts obsolete with technological changes. The digital records are lost and could one day be considered ‘Abandoned in the Ether’!

Making the best effort to preserve digital historic records and objects requires free and open access to plain, simple flat files without database management. These then serve as the basis for a variety of visualizations, displays and research products for generations and technologies to come. Hosting data as uncurated, freely available flat files not only aids prevention, but also repair of colonial and cultural bias in presenting and accessing the data. This allows needed flexibility for multiple new and unique linkages to the important Race for Space data for future generations amidst changing technologies.

Bio:
As President of R.B. Toth Associates, Michael B. Toth is an international leader in planning, managing and implementing advanced imaging and digital preservation. He and his teams provide the research tools and images needed for research and access. This includes programmatic and technical support for numerous cultural heritage projects, including early Apollo artifacts. From the Sinai Desert and Vatican to the Library of Congress, Mike and his teams support institutions across the globe as they try to reveal the previously unseen. With them, Mike provides the planning, integration and research development needed for advanced digital imaging, preservation and access. www.rbtoth.com