Learning with Granny!
Giant Leap for
Man - Space Travel
In the history of 'Time' - the second half of the 20th
Century will surely be remembered for some 'Giant Leaps for Man' in the conquest
of space.
Space Travel becomes a reality
In October 1957 the first satellite was put into orbit
around the Earth by the Russians. It was called Sputnik. It traveled around the
Earth in just over 95 minutes, transmitting messages and receiving instructions.
Just like they did in the early days of aircraft , people around the world
watched this tiny moving star as it traveled the night sky. Sputnik 1 was
unmanned, but shortly after this Sputnik 2 was launched - carrying a very
special passenger, a dog named Laika - the first living creature to have left
Earth and gone into space. She made it possible for further studies to enable
Man to step off his home planet and survive in space.
In 1958 the Americans launched their first satellite
and space exploration has gone on continually since then.
Space travel is by no means a new idea in the minds of
Men. Writers have been describing it for hundreds of years. A Greek author in
the year A.D.125 - named Lucian, described a journey in space on a ship.
He wrote about a great wind that lifted the ship and landed it on the moon, from
where he describes how the sailors could see the Earth far down below.
People have been viewing Earth from balloons for
centuries. Rocket fireworks were understood and studied with interest too - with
a view to use in reaching further out into space. Their experiments have all
been of value in pioneering space travel.
 Jules
Verne and H.G. Wells and many other authors created science fiction tales with
such imaginative scientific feats of engineering and such descriptive
possibilities that they stirred the enthusiasm of many a future space fan and
one can't ignore the value of the American comic in stimulating an interest
space in young readers all over the world.
By 1959 everyone knew that the moon was being studied
with the idea of eventually putting a Man on it's lonely surface. A number of
unmanned space probes by both Russia and America took pictures and completed
many  tests
before finally, on the 20th July 1969, America put a "Man on the Moon'.
Those of us who could not receive live TV coverage of
this historic event, were glued to the radio the whole night long.
We listened as it was explained that the astronauts
Armstrong and Aldrin broke away from the 'Mother Ship' which was in orbit around
the moon and prepared to land on the moon's surface in the landing craft called
"The Eagle'.
We didn't see it , but we felt the excitement of the
moment when a crackling voice announced that "The Eagle has Landed."
Sometime later, we followed the report of the opening of the hatch and the
descent down the ladder of Armstrong - well protected from the alien environment
in his cumbersome space suit.
As his huge heavy boot stepped down from the bottom
rung to rest on the dusty surface of the moon, the whole  world
heard the words "One step small step for Man, one giant leap for
Mankind"
Do you know - You Too can be an
Astronaut? Click on picture for the larger image.
Let's hear it for
Africa's first person in space!
 Meet
Mark Shuttleworth - 'Africa's First Man in Space'- seen here giving the 'A for
O.K.' ( Click on the picture to see the larger image).
Mark grew up in South Africa and realized from a very
young age that there were no 'short cuts' in life. If you wanted to see your
dreams come true, it was hard work all the way. He worked at becoming a
successful entrepreneur and eased his way into cyberspace - the stepping stone
to 'space' and to the universe.
One of his dreams was to find out more about space and
experience the thrill of leaving the Earth and being able to travel 'past our
sky'. This has come true and we are very proud of Mark Shuttleworth who is an
inspiration to us all and who gives a very positive message that through
determination, hard work, serious dedication to discipline and learning - dreams
need not stay dreams, but can materialize into exciting events that will change
our futures.
Mark undertook to do a number of experiments while in
space to help in the advancement of science and technology, the results of which
will be of benefit to us all in the future. He was more than just a passenger
having the experience of his lifetime.
He also had to monitor and control all communications
between Earth and the crew. - himself, Italian astronaut Roberto Vittori and
Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gidzenko so had to be skilled in radio control and be
able to send back accurate information to Earth.
His greatest experience must surely have been when he
looked out from his cramped quarters at his home - the Earth - for the first
time.
You can start at the beginning and learn about the
stars. Take a return visit to Granny's
archives
Science and Technology - your 'ticket' to
space
Science and technology you must agree
Have enabled Man to advance in history.
Man didn't just sit back and mope
He got up and stirred his mind to cope.
He experimented and used his skills
To advance his life and cure his ills.
He utilized Nature and all he found
And worked on his theories - trying to make them sound.
Each generation learned from the last
So technology improved as each century past.
Science was behind Man all the way
Recording, explaining, seeking every day.
We are living now in a wonderful age
We can go back in time and explore each page.
We can all be part of the wonderful race
And keep up to date with space and cyberspace.
A walk on the moon - once a story fictitious
Was the start of many a quest most ambitious.
"Being square is hip" so they say
"But being in space seems a long way away."
If You have the drive to succeed
There are many books out there to read.
Read of early Man as he gazed at the stars
And stories told of trips to Mars.
Of travelers drifting in huge balloons
Excited passengers - some in swoons
All viewed the Earth with starry eyes.
Enthralled to see it from the skies.
Read how Men from each generation
Left information for each nation
All the knowledge from the past
Has helped to document a history vast.
When you study science today
You'll find that Man has come a long way
Sharing his skills and energy
As he engineered with technology.
The more Man knows - the more he learns
And knowledge brings respect - which he very soon earns
With a mathematical mind Man can calculate
And understand the mysteries great.
In language too - Man must learn to be a master
Not to communicate would be a disaster
Radio skills help Man keep in touch
In space they depend on this very much
To be able to learn - keep your body in good health
Strive for this - it's your greatest wealth
If you master math's, science and all you are taught
One day You could be an Astronaut
Jenny Marais 25th April 2002.
Some useful keywords and some web-sites to
visit
Astronautics - 'The
Science of Space Travel'
Astronaut - 'A person who
is trained to travel in a space craft'
Astro -Relating to the
stars or outer space'
 Cosmonaut
- 'A Russian astronaut' The picture to the right is of Yuri Gagarin - the very
first man to orbit successfully once around the Earth on 12/4/1961 - in under
two hours.
Cosmic - 'The universe
or cosmos'
Outer Space - The universe
beyond Earth's asmosphere Everyone can be scientifically aware in this exciting
age of technology.
It has been most exciting to follow the World-wide
interest in South African born Mark Shuttleworth. Mark Shuttleworth and his
companions Roberto Vittori (Italian Astronaut) and Yuri Gidzenko (Russian
Cosmonaut) returned safely to Earth on Sunday 5th May 2002 so keep watching out
for more news from 'The First African in Space
Sites: http://www.africaninspace.com
Three interesting books that I can recommend
are:-
1) 'The Conquest of Space' by Erich Dolezal with
Forward by W. von Braun - illustrated.- Printed 1969 - so just pre- First man on
the moon.
2) "Space' a novel by James A Michener - in his usual wonderfully
researched style.
3) 'The Young Astronomer' by Harry Ford - a beautiful Dorling Kindersley book -
a must for a young astronaut.
If you would like to e-mail Granny
your questions and ideas please do so at granny@scienceinafrica.co.za
Until Next Month, Happy Reading!
Granny Jenny
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