Discovery has landed…
Yesterday’s return of Discovery from space and Sunday’s rescue of the Priz from beneath the ocean consummated two truly amazing feats of human endeavor. And, even though we now take such derring-dos for granted, they are no less awe inspiring than the survival of all passengers from the crash of Air France Flight 358 which was so clearly the result of divine intervention.
Priz AS-28 is rescued!
But, notwithstanding the ingenuity that made the Discovery flight and Priz rescue successful, the most life affirming aspect of these events was the level of cooperation (in space and undersea) they showed between Russia and Western countries (the U.S. and UK) that, alas, geopolitical rivalry seems fated to encumber on dry land. (Especially given Russia’s lurch back into Cold War totalitarianism.)
(Incidentally, did you know that the 2 astronauts who hosted the Discovery crew at the International Space Station – American John Philips and Russian Sergei Krikalev – have been living in space since mid-April, and are not due to return to earth until October – courtesy of Russia’s cash-strapped but evidently more reliable Soyuz rocket program?)
Two guys alone in space for over 6 months! Bi-lateral space exploration is one thing but this cozy arrangement might compel exploration of international relations that I can’t imagine too many men would want to probe into….On the other hand, John and Svetlana in space…But I digress.)
Discovery Crew (L): The Right Stuff…
Priz Crew (R): The Right Stuff…too!
Therefore, as we honor the heroism of the 7 U.S. astronauts and 7 Russian submariners involved, let us not lose sight of the great human achievements that can be attained when powerful nations set aside political differences and share their resources for the common good. Indeed, if only more ingenuity and resources were directed towards earthly endeavors – like returning peace to the Korean peninsula, Middle East and Continent of Africa and rescuing the poor from chronic poverty, starvation and disease – then we would have even greater life-affirming occasions to celebrate our shared humanity.
News and Politics
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