Shlomo Yishai, Ph.D. (1)
An Historic Moment – Tested by Time
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Neil Armstrong’s immortal line has become embedded in human consciousness as a high-point in human history. Actually, it is a double achievement – it is a peak of technological science generated by the United States through the NASA space agency, and at the same time, it is a political and security summit. Planting the American flag on the moon was a significant victory in one of the major battlefields of the Cold War. The Space Race opened in 1957 with Russia in the lead after launching the first Russian Sputnik into space. In 1961 the Russians widened the gap still further by launching Vostok, the first manned space capsule. The rest of the race is well known, with America closing the gap and taking over the lead. The Apollo 11 team reached the finish line and planted the American flag on the moon on July 20th, 1969. It can be claimed that this double achievement forcefully tipped the balance of power that brought about the collapse of the USSR in 1991. The Moon Conquest can be regarded as the high point in the development of human ability and therefore the defining moment of the 20th century. Yet the test of time allows us to pinpoint another pivotal moment with far-reaching consequences. (2)
That moment came about accidentally during Apollo 8’s mission in 1968 – the moment when the astronauts witnessed Earthrise. The influence of this moment has extended far into the 21st century and its significance will accompany humanity as we face present and future challenges. The famous picture of Earthrise taken by the astronauts during those magical moments generated a new human consciousness. (3) The recording of the astronauts’ conversation within the space craft – published by NASA – is testament to their amazement and awe at their first view of Earthrise. They initially photographed the phenomenon in black-and-white, and on the recording they can be heard searching for color film in order to capture the amazing sight before their eyes. They had no idea they were taking part in a historic moment and that this picture would generate a change in human consciousness.
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