In our previous blog 'What's out there?' we suggested it is never too early to encourage the young to think about space and science. In a follow-up to that item, we present an inspirational video that every young (and not so young) space enthusiast should watch! Spare just 10 minutes of your time to hear the inspirational accounts of 3 female astronauts who were launched into space at 25,000 miles per hour in their journeys to the International Space Station (ISS). Kathryn D. Sullivan and Nicole Stott are former NASA astronauts, who between them spent 127 days in orbit, while in 2006, Anousheh Ansari became the first Iranian in space when she arrived at the ISS as a self-funded space tourist for 9 days.
As of July 2016, only 60 women have flown in space, out of a total of 537 space travellers. Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first women in space on 16th June 1963, when she launched on Vostok 6, and there followed a gap of 19 years before Svetlana Savitskaya became the second women in space (Soyuz T-5, 19th July 1982). Meanwhile, the first US female astronaut to launch was Sally Ride, happening almost 20 years to the day after Tereshkova (Space shuttle Challenger, STS-7, 18th June 1983). Perhaps this short film called Dot of Light, written and directed by Eliza McNitt, in collaboration with Google, will inspire more young ladies to follow the path of the sciences and to dream about one day heading into space, to the Moon, or even Mars.
Blog written by Mary Upritchard
2 Comments
Science comes in a kaleidoscope of different shapes and forms and we at InnovaSpace believe it is never too early to encourage young people to think not only about the world around them, but to consider the stars, the universe and beyond. This is exactly what 13-year-old Jack Belmont did when he investigated the Wow! Signal, first spotted in 1977 and once considered by many to be a possible alien radio transmission. As part of a school project linked to science, Jack creatively produced the following video, and InnovaSpace Director Thais Russomano was very pleased to contribute by answering a few questions Jack had. Very well done to Jack and we hope his interest in Space continues. Blog written by Mary Upritchard
In the words of Mario Mollo from Belvedere Marittimo, Italy: "The growing importance of Space as the 'Last Frontier' has increasingly involved Nations from all over the world, both emerged and emerging Nations. But what is the real challenge today? To look at Space as something open to everyone: from government research institutes and industry professionals, to the child playing on the street. InnovaSpace's revolutionary mission is to improve relations between the components to bring new protagonists (emerging nations, young entrepreneurs and scientists) to the scene. It will be this kind of approach that ends Space as a sectoral niche, a vision we know well and characteristic of the latter half of the 20th Century. Undoubtedly, InnovaSpace will lead to the progressive democratisation of Space, ensuring easier access to it, thanks to the "Network of human and material resources" created. I was born in Belvedere Marittimo, in Italy. I'm a physical therapy major. If I've time, I'll do some stargazing. My passion for Space has never ceased since I was a child." Written by Mario Mollo The exhilaration and trepidation of being launched into space is a privilege so far enjoyed by a relatively small number of people; as of May 2017, around 556 people have reached the altitude of space according to the American definition (above an altitude of 80km). However, these figures are set to significantly rise over the coming decades, with the advent of space tourism and a growing desire by nations and private organisations to travel to and settle on Mars. This idea is further reinforced by eminent theoretical physicist and cosmologist Professor Stephen Hawking, who recently expressed the view that humans should leave the Earth within the next thirty years to establish colonies on Mars and the Moon, taking with them a Noah's Ark of plants, animals, fungi and insects, leading to the creation of a new world. The stark reality of the moment is that much is yet to be learned about the effects of long-term exposure to microgravity and radiation on human physiology. We already know that adaptations to reduced-gravity or microgravity environments occur, which can have detrimental consequences for the human bone structure, musculature and eyes, among other things. So much still needs to be researched and solutions found to ameliorate the negative side of living in such an extreme environment, for which the human body was not designed. To this end, new generations of scientists, researchers and doctors need to be nurtured and encouraged to focus on life beyond our planet. Fresh minds and ideas are required, inserted into expanded arenas of learning and discovery in which multidisciplinary teams come together to examine a problem from many and different angles. Traditional centres of learning, such as those promoted by national space agencies, unquestionably have an important role to play in the future of space exploration. Nonetheless, there is yet further scope to develop new centres of learning and research, to increase participation in space at many levels, from national, regional, organisational and individual. One such example is the establishment of a university-based organisation of students, The Glasgow University Space Medicine Society, being the only society dedicated purely to space medicine in Scotland and linked by a common interest in space, space medicine, and space exploration. Established by medical student and space-enthusiast Christina Mackaill, and now running for just a year, the society has already organised several events, such as a talk given by a Mars One finalist, and a debate about colonising the Red Planet, all aimed at stimulating and propagating space-related discussion, thought and ideas. The society also offers help and guidance to those interested in space medicine with links to possible elective opportunities and research. This student-based university society is undoubtedly a mere speck in the universe in comparison to the likes of NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, and the CNSA, but it showcases an instance of gripping and directing the interest and imaginations of young professionals at a grassroots level. It is an initiative for which Christina should be commended and, as such, InnovaSpace is pleased to include the Glasgow University Space Medicine Society among the organisations of its Global Partners & Friends. Blog written by Mary Upritchard |
Welcometo the InnovaSpace Knowledge Station Categories
All
|