Dad: “When we go to Kansas, we should visit the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson.”
Me: “A space museum?”
Dad: “Yes. Why are you making that face?”
Me: “I’m just not that into space stuff.”
Dad: “You’re not into it? How can a person not like space?”
It’s not that I don’t like space. I’m just not a space aficionado like Dad and Monty. As a little girl, I’d look up at the moon and think about the astronauts I’d read about, and I’d be overcome with a sensation of intense loneliness—the idea of people stepping out into that deep, still darkness so far from earth was beyond my comprehension. I’ve always loved the beauty of the moon and stars, but that’s as far as my interest in space has gone. Until I went to the Cosmophere two weeks ago while on a road trip with my parents and Monty. As we toured the Hall of Space, these were the things that stood out to me:
The bravery of the astronauts. These men flew straight into the unknown, trusting that the calculations of scientists and engineers would get them to the moon. Every one of them must have at least briefly considered the idea that they might not make it there—or worse, that they might not make it back. When Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong left on their mission to the moon, President Nixon asked his speechwriter to prepare two speeches—one victory speech and one eulogizing speech. The latter said, “Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace. These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.” That’s how unsure people were about space travel at that time. But thankfully, there was no need for that speech, and instead, Americans celebrated when they heard Armstrong speak live to Mission Control: “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.”
Sputnik. The museum had a replica of Sputnik, the first artificial earth satellite, built by the Soviet Union and launched on October 4, 1957. I was struck by how small Sputnik was—about the size of a beach ball. Yet its launch began the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States. And this little satellite could be tracked visually by people on earth. It also transmitted tracking signals from space with a steady beep-beep.
Moon dust. Between 1969 and 1972, twelve astronauts walked on the moon. They were called the “dusty dozen” because their spacesuits were covered in moon dust. When the astronauts returned to their cabin and took off their helmets, they noticed that the moon dust had a smell. Some of them described it as having the odor of spent gunpowder, one man said it smelled like a NASCAR race, and Buzz Aldrin said it was “like burnt charcoal or similar to the ashes that are in a fireplace.” Scientists have differing opinions on why moon dust has this odor, but most agree that it’s caused by the broken electron bonds between atoms. I have a different theory. I think the “dusty dozen” secretly celebrated their moon landings by making S’mores. They could have used specialty space packages of crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows and roasted them over some kind of moon fire. When they put the moon fire out, the moon dust mingled with its ashes and voila!—the burnt smell of moon dust.
Apollo 13. The actual Apollo 13, not a replica, is in the museum. Apollo 13 was the seventh manned mission of the Apollo program, and it was supposed to land on the moon. Two days after the launch, an oxygen tank exploded, and the mission had to be aborted. The three astronauts aboard the craft endured near freezing temperatures, food and water shortages, and limited power during the four days it took to get safely back to earth. As I looked at this craft that had failed to land on the moon but had instead established a record for the farthest human beings had ever traveled from earth, I thought about the three men who’d been crammed together inside of it. Until I saw it in person, I had no idea how small Apollo 13 was—10 feet tall and a little less than 13 feet wide at its base. The seats are so close together that there’s no room to move. The claustrophobia alone would have been stifling, not to mention the fear the men must have felt when they realized what had happened. Yet they’d known this risk all along and had chosen to go anyway.
A few days ago, I stood outside, looking up at the full moon, and I marveled at the bravery of those men. I marveled at the visionaries who had stared up at the moon just like I was but had made their dreams of reaching it a reality. I marveled that they had walked on the very same moon I was looking at. And I stood in wonder at the God who designed the moon, emboldened the astronauts, and gave scientists and engineers the brilliant minds they needed to get the astronauts from the planet I was standing on up to the moon. I saw God’s message to me, as plainly as if it had been written in the stars: If I can do all this, how much more can I do for you? I didn’t feel the loneliness I felt as a little girl when I looked at the moon. I felt the enormity of God’s power. I felt infinite possibility. And, in that moment, I felt brave.
“God’s splendor is a tale that is told; His testament is written in the stars. Space itself speaks His story every day through the marvels of the heavens. His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky, showing his skill in creation’s craftsmanship. Each day gushes out its message to the next, night with night whispering its knowledge to all.”Psalm 19:1-2
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Ansolutly a powerful blog. Your words always touch my spirit.. God bless you abundantly Renee !!!
Thank you so much, Jeannette. One of the ways God has blessed me is with a reader like you. I so appreciate you.
It was an amazing trip and experience! It blows my mind too how brave they were to trust in all the calculations and physics of going to the moon. I know in my mind, that the math and science works out on paper, but STILL! The smell of the moon dust is so interesting too.
I always love your perspective on things. You always add a different dimension of experience to something for me. I love that!
Monty–it really was amazing, wasn’t it? I should always listen to Dad. 😊 Thank you for what you said. And for experiencing it with me. I’m so glad we did. ❤
I had always focused on God’s creation/power when looking up. I’ve never thought much about how the astronauts must have felt. Thank you for a new way to “look “at the moon! 🥰
Lora–You’re so welcome! I don’t think I’ll ever see the moon the same way. Thank you for being such a faithful reader and encourager. Love to you. ❤
The Astronauts have always held my interest. In May, 1961,sitting in French class at Academy if Lynbrook, my second Senior attempt. The teach, Mr. D’Arlin turned on his “transited radio, we all listened to the truth second launch, and splashdown, “how cool”.Fast forward, 1966, the fAtal Fire on the launch pad, killing some very brave astronauts. Then July 1969, sitting in a Burlington,N.C. Motel, having a “Whataburger Meal”, watching, “black and white” tv with “rabbit ears”, “The moon landing, and walk by Neil Armstrong. God Bless the U.S.A., and the NASA team. Alan Shepherd f8nally got his chance, yon”walk on the Moon”. Living in the Houston metro area, have been the Sapce Center at NASA, several times. Impressive, awesome. Neve4 been t9 “Space Camp”, my nephew Jeffrey has. I have lots more moments to reflect on, But, a f7nal Thought , This is wonderful legacy fir JFK, fir havjbg his “vision” for the future in Space. God Bless his Memory, and our time of “Camelot”.Solid Blog, Sparrow.
TexGen–wow–you, too, are a space aficionado! So cool that you got to listen to the launch and splashdown. And I love your memory of the moon landing. I’d love to see the Houston Space Center; my brother just got back from there. You’re right about JFK’s legacy–sad that he didn’t live to see his vision come to fruition. Thank you for your thoughts, as always, my friend. ❤
Space has always fascinated me. I would love to get to see the earth from a different perspective, just like we get to see the moon while on earth. Getting to see the earth from space would be such an awesome sight. I don’t think I would have the bravery the astronauts have and had. Some of the spacecrafts they went in are so small! I would get claustrophobic and not enjoy the moments of being in space and getting to see God’s power and design from up in space. I loved what you said, “I saw God’s message to me, as plainly as if it had been written in the stars: If I can do all of this, how much more can I do for you?” This statement is so true and brings so much comfort. God created everything around us, it was made for our enjoyment and God was pleased with each thing that He made. Not only does he supply our needs, he also is with us at all times, helping us through the good times and the hard times. What a great post, my friend! You always take a story about your life and connect it with God’s truth. You always make me think when I read your words. Thank you for using your gift of writing to bless those who read it. ❤️
Melanie–thank you for adding your insight and thoughts to mine. You give me such encouragement–thank you. I treasure your words. ❤