Image details:
HAWK-I view of the Milky Way’s central region
Credit: ESO/Nogueras-Lara et al.
https://www.eso.org/public/images/galactic-centre-b
At dawn on 25th of June, 2025, at the Kennedy Space Centre, Florida a long-awaited, but repeatedly postponed, launch of the NASA/Space X partnership Axiom 4 mission took place. Thereby, four daredevils set out into space on board of the Dragon capsule being the highest stage of the Falcon 5 rocket. These were: Peggy Whitson - Commander (USA), Shubhanshu Shukla - Pilot (India), Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski - Mission Specialist (Poland) and Tibor Kapu - Mission Specialist (Hungary). For the last three, the mission marked a symbolic return to Earth's orbit and the continuation of the history began once by their predecessors i.e.: Rakesh Sharma (02.04.1984; Soyuz T-11), Mirosław Hermaszewski (27.06-5.07.1978; Soyuz 30) and Bertalan Farkas (26.05.1980; Soyuz 36), respectively.
Despite the fact that such expeditions got common a little nowadays, the Universe is still an inhospitable environment for man. Many things can go wrong, regardless on strict pre/after launch procedures. In this context, the word "daredevils" is evidently adequate for the astronauts. In case of any danger, help won't come instantly. Even if it's merely LEO (Low Earth Orbit*), and the "home" is seen below… Therefore, astronauts have to prioritize peaceable, international cooperation over political divisions and interpersonal misunderstandings or prejudices. Sometimes just inevitable. First, because they're professionals, secondly, they're on their own in space. And so did the members of the Axiom 4 mission after being welcomed by the Russians, already present on the ISS.
Luckily the politicians don't fly into space. Then, the matters could, for sure, look different, bearing in mind their actions on Earth. Nevertheless, we haven't declared yet an open war in the cosmos. Perhaps, it's only a matter of time. If some country decides to militarize this sphere, the so-called "Space Treaties"** won't be rather any binding constraint. It isn't a problem to violate them. It's enough to look at the past and current military conflicts.
The Universe isn't, however, only our domain of activity… Somewhere among the stars are they. Whatever they look like and whichever type of the ETC they represent. What would you say Enrico?*** Surely, from the perspective of the hypothetical Interstellar Worlds Exploration Council, the civilization which isn't able to resolve its' problems in a peaceful way, shouldn't (never) aspire to be a rightful member of any interstellar community.
So far, we all share one sky, one planet, and one surrounding us space. Almost 400 kilometres above the Earth, the contrast between the known and uncharted world is clearly visible. It continuously amazes, intrigues but terrifies us as well by its infinity and mysteries, some of which should remain unrevealed. On the other hand, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski said: "When you look out the window of the International Space Station, you don’t see borders or countries – you see one beautiful planet with a delicate atmosphere. I hope that we will use its resources wisely." Unfortunately, we still have problems with this, but we're also working on breakthrough and promising technologies, for instance: a thermonuclear fusion.
For that reason, space invariably unites people around the world, especially its enthusiasts and the ones who had the ability to cross this "final frontier". Maybe, thanks to their joint efforts, and the (non)governmental institutions/organizations, we'll manage to keep it a safe place, against all odds. In the same, or similar way as we try to preserve the heritage of the clear, night sky free from light pollution.
We live in turbulent times, striving to a mulit-context critical point with singularity on the one edge and the threat of new wars on the other one. Whatever the future will bring, each time I gaze at stars, I'm aware of bond between us and how insignificant is my presence in comparison to the infinite Universe. I think, however, that if "I" is replaced by "we", it will be an another example how space unites us all above any divisions.
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- The area in outer space stretching up to an altitude of 2 000 km.
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- A set of law regulations formulated under the auspices of the United Nations.
- ***
- To find out more please check "The Fermi Paradox".