Thought for the day - February 25, 2001

Subject: Thought for the day - February 25, 2001
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 01:34 AM

Driving home this evening we saw a very bright light in the sky. While we tried to determine if it was a star or not, Rog told me that the newInternational Space Station is highly visible, even in the daytime. We logged on to see where it was in the world at that moment...it was around on the other side of the earth, so we confirmed we'd seen a star. The site I linked to has a page which will tell you when the next orbit of the Space Station will be in your area.

I find it fascinating that it is reflects so much light we can see it with our naked eye. I've always thought of humankind as so small and almost invisible when in space, which seems so vast.

I was going to do another TFTD on looking forward to spring (in the Northern hemisphere, at least), but this came about. I do wonder what it would be like in space, not having any seasons, all familiar parameteres of space gone. If I were on the Space Station right now...I wonder if there would be any reminders that spring really is just around the corner. Even if they were experimenting with planting seeds etc. it would all be so artificial, I think it would be interesting but kind of sad...I would miss the prompts we have...the first song of a robin, the crocus pushing its head through the snow...

Of course, I know if we have colonies, there will be every effort put into simulating *home*, probably, and they may already have done this on the Space Station as much as possible. With it being a scientific expedition, I would tend to doubt there is much in that way, though.(I haven't had a chance to look the site over, so don't know how it is set up.) I also understand that the people who are up there are not there to ponder on Springtime and muse about reminders, but I know I would regardless...I think I'd probably want along a CD of Springtime birds' songs, etc. to remind me the upper half of the globe was waking up for another go at new life.

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 25, 2001
From: Naemanson
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 09:29 AM

I remember going out with my dad to see if we could see Sputnik flying over. We couldn't, of course, but then we went in to tune the signal on the radio and listen to it going over.

I also remember watching the space program like a hawk. I was at the TV for the launch of most of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo mission. I remember the always calm Walter Cronkite yelling in his excitement during the first launch of the great Saturn launch vehicle.

There are those who question the space program and the money that goes to it. I never have. I believe we need to keep looking out beyond the boundaries around us. Man has always done this and must continue. Otherwise we will stagnate. We cannot stop.

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 25, 2001
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 11:13 AM

Yeah, I remember that, too, Naes, except for the year we finally walked on the moon...I had discovered boyfriends and hormones that summer and remember coming in, briefly, from a date and mother insisting that I watch Walter and the footage...at that moment I can truly say I cared less. Now, I have the LOOK or LIFE Magazine (can't remember...it's in storage) that she saved which told about such a momentous ocassion and I am glad.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 25, 2001
From: John Routledge
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 11:35 AM

KAT -- Many thanks for reference to a super site. Brings back Happy Memories of my father who died in '83.

He was a Radio Ham and also a member of the British Interplanetary Society in 1950. He would have been as amazed as I at the prospect of him communicating with a space station. We all thought he was a little eccentric. Kind Regards GB John.

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 25, 2001
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 11:43 AM

well, I thought I typed this once and hit submit, but I must not have...

Gerodie, that is really neat about your dad. My Rog is a ham but hasn't had a rig in years. He does go over to his friend's house, though, and they have a good time with his...that's how he found out about the site. I am glad you found it of interest and thanks for letting me know.

Sounds as though you dad was just ahead of his time:-)

kat

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 25, 2001
From: SINSULL
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 12:43 PM

I "saw" Sputnik go by and my kitten was named after it (not by me). I would have preferred Fluffy or Boots. I hope to live long enough to take a trip into space. Of course affording it on Social Security will be a challenge.

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 25, 2001
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 04:38 PM

kat, the night of the first moon landing- and they sent back the first live pictures- I was in a restaurant that had the blurry images on TV. A group of us went outdoors and looked up at the bright, full moon. It was an oddly moving moment- knowing that up there was a human being looking down.

Ebbie

Subject: RE: Thought for the day - February 25, 2001
From: Amos
Date: 25 Feb 01 - 09:14 PM

I also stared at the Moon that night, wondering what the far-reaching consequences would be of this incredible plateau. I frankly thought we would be further than we are today. But that's par fpr the course. What matters is that Jack kennedy said we would do it, and we did it.

A