April 8, 2016 (Friday)
Is it actually possible that 47 years have passed since Americans first walked on the moon? It was on a Sunday night here in Rockport and the eyes of the world were glued to their black-and-white television screens, awaiting the magic moment. I remember when we met for church that evening that “Pete” Moss took me aside to get my promise that the service would last no longer than an hour because he wanted to make sure he would be able to see the man on the moon that evening.
Nowadays, however, the talk is about a manned trip to Mars. Unmanned craft are already there, making scientific measurements and sending back pictures of “The Red Planet.”
The chief scientist of NASA is making speeches around the country, reminding the public of plans to land people on Mars in the 2030s.
Many people want to go on that journey. But it won’t be a joy ride; it will include people with skills appropriate for the project. Everyone who goes–at least on that first trip–will have a job to do. (Click here for larger image and article on NASA’s Journey to Mars).
It will take about eight months to make the trip, and that’s hard on people. For example if you fly from Houston to Singapore today, at 550 mph, it will take more than 11 hours to make the trip. It’s hard to stay put that long, and unhealthy besides. Our bodies need to move around. Serious problems can develop from remaining in a sitting position too long.*
I’m sure the planners are taking into consideration these factors and many others as they make possible a trip that lasts for many months. (Click here to read a Washington Post article about this).
Would you like to go? Fine. You can have my seat. Personally, I’ll just enjoy the vicarious experience as people much more qualified than I experience the thrill of that journey.
The 2030s will be here before you know it, and when the landing takes place the whole world will be watching. Since I will be well into my 100s in age, I’ll just stay at home.
But I am prepared for a space trip that is predicted in the Bible. Here’s the prediction: “The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise–they’ll go first. Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 MSG).
If you happen to be on Mars when that day arrives, He won’t leave you behind. If you are one of His, He will take you home with him to Heaven.
(Later-April 11) – I got some facts wrong about flight times and my son, David, who has flown the routes he describes, gave me the real times:
“Flight from Houston to Singapore takes over 21 hours, with one refueling stop in Moscow.
Flight from Houston to Doha takes 14 hours, nonstop.
Flight from Houston to Tokyo takes over 13 hours, nonstop.
Flight from Houston to London takes 10 hours, nonstop.
Each flight is brutal on the body.”