Clicking away in space as the world spins to oblivion
A quite extraordinary success is transpiring way, way above the sky, with Nasa's Juno spacecraft.
Yes, we are talking about outer space … and not about wasting space by writing about the Oscar Pistorius trial (it is done, so let it rest), or the SABC saga (we all know this is censorship).
The Nasa space programme has, over the years, received criticism for spending millions exploring space, while it fails to benefit mankind, that is ravished by plague, famine and hunger right here on Earth.
Nasa’s space exploration is again in the spotlight, and so is the cost of such endeavours, or is that on the radar?
After an almost five-year journey to the solar system’s largest planet, Jupiter, Nasa’s spacecraft recently entered Jupiter’s orbit during a 35-minute engine burn.
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With its suite of nine science instruments, Juno will investigate the existence of a solid planetary core, map Jupiter’s intense magnetic field, measure the amount of water and ammonia in the deep atmosphere, and observe the planet’s auroras.
The mission will also, apparently, let us take a giant step forward in mankind’s understanding of how giant planets form and the role these titans played in putting together the rest of the solar system.
The Juno spacecraft launched on August 5, 2011, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, in Florida.
And yes, it did cost around R16-billion to build and has travelled 2.7 billion kilometres.
Last year I also turned my attention to the solar system when mentioning Nasa celebrating another great milestone, when one of their spacecraft, New Horizons, became the first one to reach the distant dwarf planet – Pluto.
This, at the time, was a significant event, as it was seen as the last unexplored world in the solar system.
So yes, while I am singing (I know, it is a scary thought) Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to my son before bedtime these days, high above us mankind continues to press forward at huge expense to explore the universe.
As with Pluto, and now with Jupiter, Nasa remains in the firing line for embarking on futile adventures that hold no benefit for mankind.
The argument revolves around the point of going to space to explore, when this will hold little value or answers to solve the decay of the world below.
Granted, while it is all good and well to explore our solar system, what about all the refugees orbiting Europe in desperate hope of survival, or all the starving children orbiting an empty bowl?
Mankind has always been on the quest for answers and finding meaning to it all, but that very philosophical or spiritual quest, now extended to the stars, so often means very little for a world that is plunged into famine and poverty.
I am sure all the millions who are famished, impoverished, sick, fleeing or dying are not looking at the stars and admiring Nasa’s ability to explore Jupiter.
They would be more pleased to get just a speck of the billions spent on this voyage.
As mentioned in my space article of 2015, the argument of Nasa’s exploration being futile does hold water, but, then again, where would man be today without exploration?
Stephen Hawking assessed that, because man is human, we love to explore.
Our explorations has, at least, forced mankind to reassess itself in the wake of bloody barbarism, to force itself to hope for a better world not torn apart by violence and to instil courage to seek peace in the face of fear and intolerance.
Let us then also be reminded, while taking time to admire the explorations billions of miles away and cyclists tackling the daunting Tour de France, that the greatest exploration on which mankind should constantly embark is the inner exploration, to become a better human being.
At least again, with the Jupiter adventure, we will be reminded that we are not the centre of the universe and that, even though we have achieved extraordinary things, we should remain humble, because we have, at the same time, been responsible for horrendous crimes.
So, while that little spacecraft up in the universe is spinning and clicking away so that we can oooh and aaah at the photos, at least it serves as a reminder to mankind to look after this little planet – after all, this is our only home.
