Over the weekend, a positive thing happened.
Actually, more than one positive thing happened. Millions of positive things occurred all over the world, in little spaces, in big places. There were acts of kindness, and gifts of goodness. Smiles, and favors, and good deeds. New discoveries. Old memories.
I am thankful for all of these things, wherever they are coming about. We need every inch of goodness in the world that is possible right now.
But, to the lighter side of things, I was thinking of a larger news-item-goodness. And that was the successful launch of the SpaceX rocket, sending two American astronauts on their way to the Space Station. They arrived safely, on Sunday, May 31. It took them 19 hours to get there, traveling at 17,000 miles per hour. Far and fast.
I saw the news clip of them arriving, both of them floating and bobbing around. That’s probably the only reason I’d ever want to be an astronaut, is to have the experience of zero gravity. I think it would feel good. Fun. I’d roll myself up in a ball and act like a balloon.
Anyway, they made it.
Last night, on 60 Minutes, there was a piece concerning NASA’s next mission — this one to Mars. The goal is to land a new vehicle, which is this super-duper, high-tech “rover” softly on Mar’s surface. And then the thing will begin to search for signs of ancient life on the Red Planet. Not only that, but it will eventually pick up certain items, like rocks, and bring that evidence back to Earth.
There is so much that can go wrong. I watched, completely amazed, at so many people, working in a “clean room” environment, trying to perfect this “rover” which has a powerful big arm, and also it’s own little helicopter. They’ve named it Perseverance.
At any rate, it seems impossible, but those smart scientists say it can be done, and they intend on doing it.
Here’s the thing though. I love science, and the thought of our Universe, its vastness, its infinity. But I question the validity, the rationality of spending so much money on exploring space. I mean. To what end?
Just this ONE project for Perseverance has taken nearly eight years and has cost 2.5 billion dollars. Think about how many houses could have been built for 2.5 billion dollars. Think about how many people could have been fed. We’d still be feeding everyone with a 2.5 billion dollar budget.
What about the research here? On Earth. For how to restore this planet?
I’m not sure if they have colonization of Mars in mind, as an end goal? But today if we checked, the surface of Mars is a radiation-filled desert. And it is really freezing up there — a minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit on average. No walks in the Mars Dog Park for you Fido. Or Rover.
Also, there is only a narrow three-week window to send things to Mars. This one is coming around on July 17. If they miss that window, they have to wait another 26 months before they can try again.
Right now, with all that is happening here on Earth, I’m wondering if that money could be better well spent.
They didn’t ask me, though. And there are a lot of people over the years, who have dedicated their lives to these types of explorations. Maybe one of them could justify the reasoning, giving me some clarification on the topic.
But the happy thing was that two guys made it safely on their way up to the Space Station this time around, much to the joy of their wives, children, dogs, and cats. Well, their cats don’t give a care, one way or the other. But, this country needed to see at least one thing go right.
Before taking off, those two astronauts probably visualized a positive outcome. They probably pictured everything going smoothly, as it should be. Apparently, there is a lot to be said for envisioning good things.
Maybe, collectively, we should all start doing the same thing — visualizing a peaceful place, filled with health and wellness — a country being led by an amazing, caring, intelligent leader.
I certainly think it sounds like a good start, at least.
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We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.
— Franklin D. Roosevelt
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I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.
— Dalai Lama
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My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here.
— Jim Henson
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