We should celebrate 50 years in outer space

BY JOHN E. USALIS

 

This Thursday is a very significant date in history. In addition to Oct. 4 being the beginning (at sunset) of the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah, along with National Golf Day (a holy day for some, I'm sure), it is the day the United Soviet Socialist Republics launched Sputnik 1, which began the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States.

I was only 3 years old at the time, but from what I've read, the telemetry signal that "beeped" around the world that day scared the heck out of a lot of people in America, since it proved that the Soviets had a rocket capable of putting a satellite into orbit. It also meant the Soviets could send a nuclear weapon just about anywhere in the world. It was really scary stuff.

It wasn't a large satellite, weighing only about 184 pounds and being 23 inches in diameter. The signal quit after 22 days when the batteries went dead, and it entered the atmosphere to burn up on Jan. 4, 1958.

Even if Sputnik had not happened, eventually someone would have sent a satellite into orbit and a space race would have begun. Aside from the political ramifications, the space race - and the technology that needed to be developed - has led to many benefits for us here on Earth. Despite what many people consider a waste of money to send astronauts to the moon, operate the space shuttle or send probes to other planets, the innovations necessary to accomplish those tasks eventually make it to the general public.

Take the Global Positioning System or GPS. That's all space technology, folks. Many of us don't use it yet, but those who do, find it to be a great way to keep from getting lost. Satellites tell you where you are at any time, and that's based on detailed topographical maps created through satellite imagery. Just think: If Moses had a GPS device, it wouldn't have taken 40 years to make it to the Promised Land. That biblical account may be the first recorded instance of a man refusing to ask for directions.

Of course, there is Velcro, the space age version of duct tape. It's a modern-day wonder, although it's been around so long that we don't even think about it as being anything special.

Here are some other technology advances that are now commonplace or will be in the near future.

. Firefighters benefit from the use of breathing systems developed by NASA for astronauts. NASA's Johnson Space Flight Center conducted a four-year program that applied technology from the portable life support systems used by astronauts on the moon. The new breathing system is made up of a face mask, frame and harness, a warning device and an air bottle.

. Every home should have at least one smoke detector, and the technology came through the space program. NASA needed a smoke and fire detector for Skylab in the 1970s, and Honeywell Inc. created it. Untold lives have been saved by such devices.

. Anybody remember Telstar I? It was launched in 1962 and allowed live television broadcasts from around the world. Today, we take for granted turning on the television and watching a football game as it happens or viewing live news coverage of the devastation of a tsunami in the South Pacific. It's not that long ago that those things were impossible.

. In the home, we have cordless power tools and appliances and modern insulation. Thank the space program for them.

. The medical field can credit many advances, from cool laser heart surgery, body imaging, lightweight prosthetic arms and legs, light emitting diodes, pill-sized transmitters, chromosome analysis, digital mammography and more. While we still have a way to go before becoming practical, zero gravity is a great place to create new kinds of medicines. A heart pump is based on the space shuttle's fuel pumps.

. The next time the quarterback takes a hit, he may be able to credit no head injury thanks to his helmet's padding, which is made from cushioning material in aircraft passenger seats, developed by NASA's Ames Research Center. And your Wilson golf ball may fly straighter thanks to a former NASA engineer who worked on controlling the liquids in the external fuel tank of the space shuttle. Now that's a real hole in one!

And don't forget satellite and cable television, cell phones, computers, air purification systems in hospitals, BluBlocker-style sunglasses, thermal protection blankets, solar energy technology, disposable diapers, fire resistant foam, a safer soldering base using torches in jewelry assembly based on the heat shield tiles from the space shuttle, joysticks for computers and game consoles, satellite radio, insulin pumps and on and on and on.

And all this began with a 23-inch satellite that went "Beep, beep, beep" as traveled around the world in 1957.

How do you face Mecca in space?

Here's a related space topic that may have to be considered as we venture into space. In the near future, Sheikh Muszaphar, a medical doctor from Malaysia, will be rocketed to the International Space Station via the Russian space program. He is also a practicing Muslim, which means he observes the tenets of his faith, including praying five times a day while facing Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Here's the big question: How do face Mecca when your orbiting the Earth 16 times a day? Another issue is how do you kneel in zero gravity?

The second issue possibly can be solved by the use of Velcro on the knees and floor, but the facing toward Mecca could cause some challenges.

"I do agree that I am a Muslim, I am Islamic, but my main priority is more of conducting experiments," the 35-year-old astronaut said in an AP story. "As a Muslim, I do hope to do my responsibilities, I do hope to fast in space."

Actually, the issue has been addressed. According to the GetReligion.com blog, "After months of discussion and two international conferences, the Islamic National Fatwa Council came up with guidelines as to how Muslim astronauts should observe daily rituals. The rules were published in 12-page booklet titled 'Muslim Obligations in the International Space Station.'

"Malaysia's National Fatwa Council ruled that Muslim astronauts will not be required to kneel to pray if the absence of gravity makes it too hard. Facing Mecca while praying will be left to the 'best abilities' of the astronaut, the council said."

Again, an interesting situation. How does one deal with religious practices in zero gravity? Maybe artificial gravity - if ever developed - will take care of the situation, but as the possibility is there that humans will begin moving out into space eventually, religion will also. From a Christian perspective, there are also challenges. Kneeling is also an issue, although not as important, but what about liturgical celebrations? How does a priest or minister deal with the wine during a Mass or worship service? In baptizing an infant, how do you pour water in zero gravity? And if the particular tradition includes total immersion in baptism, as far as I know you can't have an open body of water without gravity? Velcro would be needed again to keep the bride and groom from floating off during a wedding ceremony.

I foresee some additions and amendments to liturgical manuals in the future.