Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Infinite Wonders And Formidable Challenges

I was quite taken with this reproduction of the ISS cupola, and the footage from it as it passes over the globe. When I was leaving, I stopped by the museum's gift shop. I bought a pen, a shirt with the Spitfire on it, and a book by American astronaut Scott Kelly, of his photographs taken from the ISS. The book is titled Infinite Wonder: An Astronaut's Photographs From A Year In Space. He spent a good deal of time in the cupola photographing the world in different ways, and he has a good photographic eye.


Among the many experiments astronauts take part in is looking at radiation exposure. A personal concern since you're exposed to it, mostly from the sun. 


A wall of photographs of Canadian astronauts can be seen here.


A golf shirt and crest seen here belong to Dave Williams, another Canadian astronaut.


Time in space takes a toll, especially extended time. Part of what is being learned now by extended time on the ISS will be applied to the missions of the future- how do we compensate for the challenges that space puts on the body? And what lessons learned from the astronaut experience can be applied in general on Earth?

Questions to be resolved before a manned mission to Mars. Unlike going to the Moon, that's a mission that will take a lot longer. We conclude this visit tomorrow.

22 comments:

  1. Physical strength is not so important in space travel, which is why the aliens always have giant smart heads and probing eyes but tiny childlike bodies. Just my theory. Thanks, William

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think that there are those who still view the colonization of Mars as a proximate event, but as you say, any possibility of that is a long way off - even a manned mission is in the distant future.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thats a very nice exposition.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Se ve precioso el espacio desde las ventanas de las naves.

    ReplyDelete
  5. @Cloudia: thank you.

    @David: the physical issues for the astronauts would have to be addressed.

    @SC: it is.

    @Mirada: thanks.

    @Tom: very much so.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Those opening images are especially artistic, William. Nice shooting!

    ReplyDelete
  7. The changes in the eye are spooky.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I wasn't aware of the eye reaction to low gravity. Would I have gone into space (at least near space?) Sure, catch me when I was 20 and give me that opportunity! I loved reading sci-fi and totally wanted to go beyond...you know where.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello,
    I love your header photo, pretty scene! I like the ISS cupola. Take care, enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm going to look for that book!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love your header. Makes me want to go for a walk.:)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Fascinating about vision response in space ~

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days ~

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  13. So much left to learn of man in space.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you so much for taking us on this tour.

    ReplyDelete
  15. @Francisco: thank you.

    @Jeanie: thanks!

    @Jennifer: thank you.

    @RedPat: I can see that.

    @Barbara: if Shatner can go to space...

    @Eileen: that's something I like too.

    @Sharon: it's well worth buying.

    @Happyone: thank you.

    @Bill: it certainly is.

    @Carol: it's one of those odd things.

    @Jan: thank you.

    @Joanne: there is.

    @Gemel: you're welcome.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm betting it's a totally different thing looking down on the earth than being on it, I would be in awe.

    ReplyDelete