A Journey Toward Infinity

BY: ARNEL S. OROCEO

Man normally longs for what is not present. He craves for what is unavailable and yearns for what seems to be impossible. Perhaps, he realizes that in the vast and complex universe where we live, possibilities are as endless as his dreams.

Dreaming is a clear sign of hope and hope is a vital sign of life. An unknown author has said, "Man can live about forty days without food, about three days with out water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope." Hope enables us to make the first step toward a more promising future destination- a better tomorrow. It inspires us to utilize our concealed energy to push ourselves toward what it seems to be a painstaking and infinite journey to impossibility.

Many centuries ago, space travel could have been very inconceivable if not an outright insanity. Nevertheless, scientists’ curiosity over the unreachable has been burning like an unquenchable fire. Astronomers have been probing the sky; observing every detail that they could see and with the invention of the telescope, they have begun to see beyond what the naked eye could see. However, it seems that they would not stop until they could go within arms reach of what they could only see from afar.

The inconceivable, centuries ago, had become reality in recent years. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first manufactured satellite into orbit around the earth- the Sputnik I. The USA followed with its first satellite- the Explorer I the following year. Since then, space agencies had launched into orbit 5,800 satellites although only 1,000 of those remain operational. In 1961, the Soviet Union sent the first man into space, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, aboard Vostock I rocket and the USA sent its first astronaut Glenn Allen into orbit the following year. The US Apollo Projects had sent 12 persons to the moon in the years 1969-1972; among them were Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

In 2004, US President George W. Bush announced a new vision for space exploration in 15-years time span. US astronauts would return to the moon to establish the first manned lunar station. The next moon landings would happen by 2018.

The European Space Agency had begun in 2001 its Aurora Exploration Programme. It is part of Europe's strategy for space, endorsed by the European Union Council of Research and the ESA Council in 2001. This strategy calls for Europe to:

· explore the solar system and the Universe

· stimulate new technology

· inspire the young people of Europe to take a greater interest in science and technology

The primary objective of Aurora is to create, and then implement, a European long-term plan for the robotic and human exploration of the solar system, with Mars, the Moon and the asteroids as the most likely targets. A second objective is to search for life beyond the Earth. Future missions under the programme will carry sophisticated exobiology payloads to investigate the possibility of life forms existing on other worlds within the solar system.

The technological studies scientists’ would carry out under the Aurora Programme will enable Europe to select which of the many available technologies should be given priority for development within Europe, as well as the value of the technologies that possible partners offer. Among the technology needed to make a human mission to Mars possible are aero-braking, precision navigation and landing, propulsion systems that offer cheaper, faster travel and life-support systems to enable humans to live in hostile space environments. The first Mars exploration under the Aurora Programme is set to take place by the year 2033.

Man, indeed, is capable of putting together amazing dedication and fascinating effort to accomplish a great task and put into reality a great vision. Yet, it is not easy to twist in pain or labor with indescribable hardship. Time is not always friendly and circumstances are often cruel. However, the steadfast and unwavering one will succeed convincingly. He will build for himself a highway toward infinity. While the one who lacks determination will fail miserably. Failure is not the end of it all unless he quits trying again. Sadly, some fail to conquer great heights because they have failed to put in good use and maximize their God-given potential. They have been too afraid to fail. Nothing is easy to accomplish as the old clichés say- “no guts no glory”; “no pain no gain.” If you are not afraid, you can take hold of what seems to be impossible today. Soar high beyond the skies!

Sources:

● ESA Aurora Exploration Programme-

http://www.esa.int/esaMI/Aurora/SEMZOS39ZAD_0.html http://www.esa.int/esaCP/index.html

● Readers' Digest 1001 Science Questions Answered-

http://www.readersdigest.com.ph/rd/rdhtml/en/estore/shop_cat.jsp?mcid=0001&ecid=1050

● Philippine Panorama Magazine of the Manila Bulletin

Article: “Without Hope, You only live one second!” pp.22-23

Sunday, June 1, 2008 Edition

By: Henrylito D. Tacio

A P E R S O N A L P O R T F O L I O W E B S I T E