Interesting People: Anousheh Ansari

Anousheh Ansari was born September 12, 1966, Mashhad, Iran. Her life story could be titled: Dots on the Map from Iran to Texas to Space. She displayed both the American and Iranian flags on the sleeve of her spacesuit.

Anousheh Ansari’s family is originally from Iran but they transplanted themselves in America after the Islamic Revolution; and guess where they chose to settle? Yup! Texas!

She had a childhood dream. Going into space.

Did she realize that dream? Yes she did!

Did she have to overcome prejudices and obstacles? Uuuhhh … hmmm?

A female, an American of Iranian descent who wanted to display both the American and Iranian flags on the sleeve of her spacesuit.

Was she insane? NO! She was a dreamer and her dreams came true!

Anouseh Ansari’s story is your typical American success story. Or at least, all of US would like to believe that her story is “typical” because it feels good to be able to boast to others that this kind of dream realization happens only in America. Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC’s “Hardball” likes to call these kinds of typical fairy tales “American exceptionalism”.

• Books Worth Reading: “My Dream of Stars: From Daughter of Iran to Space Pioneer” by Anousheh Ansari and Homer Hickam

I was lucky. So many didn’t get a chance to live their life to their full potential https://t.co/jJYiIcqwUD

— Anousheh Ansari (@AnoushehAnsari) September 26, 2022

The Benefits of Space Exploration

A satellite is a celestial body that revolves around a planet. Moon is the earth’s satellite. Saturn has 82 satellites. Humans also have made artificial satellites. The purpose of these artificial satellites is to the orbit around the planet, gather information, and send the information in visual form back to the earth. Scientists then analyze and study the information to understand the planet better.

The Beginnings of Space Exploration

• In October 1957, the Russians (their country known then as the U.S.S.R. or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, into space.
• Determined not to be outdone or left behind, the USA or the United States of America launched its first satellite, Explorer 1, in January 1958.

It was the Americans who discovered the Van Allen radiation belts, two concentric rings of energetic particles surrounding Earth. The inner belt is composed of protons, and the outer belt is composed of electrons. James Van Allen was the scientist who supervised not only the design of the instruments which collected the data, but the study of the radiation data which was gathered. In 2018, NASA celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the launching of Explorer 1.

January 1958 was a historic month and year in the history of space exploration but it was in July 1969 when American astronaut Neil A. Armstong became the first human to set foot on the moon.

The Progress of Space Exploration

Star Trek is Fiction

Since the 1950s, those who have engaged in space exploration set out to accomplish many goals. The popular television series, Star Trek, which made its debut September 1966, may have led many to believe that the goal was “To boldly go where no one has gone before!” and “to explore strange new worlds.” But the reality is that from the late 1950s to the present day 2020, human life or humanoid life or any life form on other planets have never been found and likely never will be. None of the other planets – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto ~ are suitable for sustaining human life. These are the conclusions reached by scientists who have thoroughly investigated information and data collected by means of satellites, and also acquired as a result of numerous lunar and planetary missions, using both manned and unmanned spacecraft.

Space Research Yields Facts

In fact, the myriad goals of space exploration, right from the very start, were primarily for the purpose of improving our life ON planet Earth. Although there are some scientists who are committed to researching whether or not certain planets can be colonized, or at minimum, whether the soil on other planets can be used to grow food for we earthlings.

Their commitment, while it may be futile (my opinion), is understandable. After all, the cries and warnings of the environmentalists and the preservationists are not being heeded. The resources of the Earth are not unlimited. They paint a bleak picture of the future of life on Earth. That’s why there are so many books and movies depicting what life would be like for humans living in a post-apocalyptic world. Those committed scientists have reasoned and rightly so, that it doesn’t really take much to keep us alive. All we need is nonpoisonous food, breathable air, and drinkable water. How hard can it be to truly create a Class-M planet? To quote George Bernard Shaw: “Imagination is the beginning of creation.” So? I guess. If you can imagine it; it can become a reality. Right?

But so far, none of the other places in the universe that have been explored have the air and water that we need. So some scientists reason that perhaps these planets have dirt! There are edible plants that do not require a lot of oxygen or sunlight to grow. It could be worth further examination.

The Benefits of Space Exploration

• Even though there are those who are still waiting in anticipation and hoping that one day we will make “first contact” with “new worlds”, many of the scientific endeavors related to space exploration have yielded numerous benefits for the world we live in.
• Communication satellites were used to enable remotely located or isolated communities to listen to the radio and watch television, and learn about the world, albeit on the same planet, beyond their borders.
• Space-based sensors help predict the weather and forecast hurricanes and the movement of other storms, warning people ahead of time so that they can gather a few survival essentials and seek shelter.
• High-intensity flashlights which were originally developed for use on spacecraft to imitate sunlight are also used for search-and-rescue missions and even by campers to spend the night in the woods.

Space exploration has provided valuable information and helped us develop a knowledge and understanding of the natural processes that regularly occur on Earth. The application of space technology has improved our daily everyday life in so many ways.

But at what price?

Original source

Do the Adults at NASA Care About Climate Change?

According to a fact sheet about the history of NASA, the creation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) didn't really have anything to do with the weather. The President of the United States and Congress created NASA on October 1, 1958. Its mission was described as follows: "An Act to provide for research into the problems of flight within and outside the Earth's atmosphere, and for other purposes." So! "Other purposes"? That could include research about climate change. Not sure of the exact date when NASA joined the global climate change debate but they are certainly contributing to the discussion now! You can find lots of information at a site called “NASA: Climate Change and Global Warming”.

On September 20, 2019, several students skipped classes to stage a protest regarding how many governments (“the adults”) are ignoring climate change and how their future is at risk if they don't do something! (“1.1 Million Can Skip School for Climate Protest” – The New York Times)

In defense of “the adults”, it doesn't look like all of them have been ignoring the ill effects of climate change. Four years before this protest was ever planned NASA shared their predictions of what the world will look like in 2100. Not poking fun at this federal agency and the work that they do, but shouldn’t people have been seriously listening to what they had to say a long time ago? (O.o) After all, they can see a lot from outer space.

Here is an important quote extracted from the document:

“ … the data, which can be filtered down to the level of individual cities and towns on a daily timescale, will help developing nations predict and prepare for the local effects changing patterns in weather, floods and droughts. At a global scale, it’ll help Earth scientists, and anyone else who’s interested, explore what’s looking to be a very toasty end of the century.”

I have no doubt that the students involved in the protest were genuinely sincere and genuinely concerned about the impact that ignoring climate change will have on their future. They are concerned enough to refer to climate change as “an emergency”.

I also have no doubt that there are probably several intelligent students in that group (or in the group who did not skip classes) who could work alongside “the adults”, analyze the NASA climate projections, and possibly come up with a way to save planet earth. First, save a city. Then a state. Then a country. And finally the whole world!

What do you say, kids? Why not ignore the adults who are not paying attention and work with the adults who do care?

Original Source

Honoring John Glenn (1921 - 2016) AND His Wife Annie Glenn (1920 - 2020)

This post was first published at this blog in 2016. (content below the “***”.) It is being reposted to honor the widow of John Glenn. She was one of the victims of COVI-19. She lived to be 100 years old and left a legacy of her own. 

+ In Memory of Annie Glenn (1920 – 2020)

Annie Glenn, advocate for people with disabilities and wife of 73 years to former Ohio Senator and astronaut John Glenn has died at age 100, a spokesperson with the John Glen…​ https://t.co/dMshGFfJPO

— FOX4 News (@fox4kc) May 19, 2020

***
Published this blog post November 2014.

Americans Love Their Firsts

An American "first" was NOT on that list.  I did not realize my significant omission until today when it was announced on the radio that this prominent citizen has departed.

• John Glenn, first American astronaut to orbit the earth.

Adding this fact on to my previous blog post about "firsts" and sharing some additional info below. 

 

http://foxnet2017.tumblr.com/post/154228894581/life-john-glenn-the-first-american-astronaut

We remember American legend Sen. John Glenn. Statement from our Administrator Charles Bolden on Glenn's passing: https://t.co/xkmGSjLnOO pic.twitter.com/x63ZAvNUhm

— NASA (@NASA) December 8, 2016

#OTD in 1962, John Glenn met with President Kennedy in the Oval Office. Fifteen days later, he would be the first American to orbit the earth. More photos: https://t.co/aeaAqfpkhN pic.twitter.com/3aPyzeQzNe

— JFK Library (@JFKLibrary) February 5, 2019

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Happy Tree Tuesday!

It's Tree Tuesday. YAY!! Something they do on Google Plus. Don't know if you have a profile or page on G+, however, if you do, let me know. Maybe we can hook up. Let's not get off track. Trees are the reason earth is the best and ONLY planet for humans to inhabit. You can follow the space explorers on their trek adventures to try to see if Mars and Venus (or wherever) can be colonized. That's your decision. But my efforts will be lent to any campaign that supports saving the trees! 

 

My contributions to Tree Tuesday (click here) are not consistent or regular, but they have been substantial enough so that whoever it was that invented this G+ posting practice or tradition can know that this initiative has my backing two thousand percent!! Let the global public recognize that i heart trees! 

* * * 

Content first published at PersonaPaper, Feb 17, 2015.

© Photographer: Hakan Ertan | Agency: Dreamstime.com

© Photographer: Hakane | Agency: Dreamstime.com

 

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One World - Multiple Space Colonies

There's a trend in the world of science and space exploration towards colonizing other planets. We all know the motivation behind this. Uh huh.

Mankind is screwing up planet earth; so people are looking and hoping to build a new community in another part of the universe.

To quote Homer Simpson: “Doh!”

As if … we humans won't do the exact same thing if we set up shop elsewhere!

Oh, it will start off all good, just like planet earth did. But there will be one thing wrong with the new world on Mars, Venus, Jupiter, wherever.

There will still be humans living there.

Humans with the same mindset in the new space colony that they had when they lived on planet earth.

Give it some time. Before you know it, someone will pop the question.

Uuummm … how come we don't have a red button?

* REFERENCE: "Countries Which Could Push the Nuclear 'red' Button." BBC Newsbeat. Ed. Life. BBC, 6 Aug. 2015. http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/33801992/countries-which-could-push-the-nuclear-red-button .

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MARS Social - Network for Artists and Authors

So then after Facebook was invented, other folks decided that there was no law against there being more than one network. Especially when the networks truly connect like-minded people. Voila! MARS Social, a network for authors and artists. Being neither an artist nor an author myself, but having authors and artists as friends (some of whom read my blogs), thought it only right to mention this community because it has fascinating content - news, visual arts, human interest, groups, a Red Pages directory of its members and more!  That's MARS for Media Arts Review Social.  Create a FREE account.

OR ... You could join that other MARS network.  They aim to have the first human colony on the Red Planet by the year 2025.  But it's not free to become one of "them".  :)


Rocket to Mars
Allposters.com


 

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