Vatican premiere
Vatican premiere
According to www.foxnews.com, the pontiff spoke with 12 astronauts, two Italians, Americans and Russians, for about a quarter of an hour, they can see them in the Vatican Library Hall Faconi. This conversation was first for the Holy See organized by the European Space Agency (ESA), where two astronauts - Italian Paolo Nespoli and Roberto Vitti - currently working on the ISS.
"Dear astronauts are very pleased to have this great opportunity to talk with you during your mission and are especially grateful that so many are, because both teams are now on board the space station," said Pope in English, having a prepared text when he entered into directly with the ISS.
The Pope also expressed his admiration for all those who make possible this space mission and encouraged everyone to a safe and successful ending.
Along with the two Italians were the Russian and American astronauts, six of whom were members of the shuttle Endeavour crew, which is in its final mission in space and connected to the ISS on Wednesday.
At the Vatican, with Pope were: German astronaut Thomas Reiter, the ESA, Italian Space Agency chairman, Enrico Saggese, and General Giuseppe Bernardis, from Italian air forces.
.
After a brief introduction, the Pope asked the cosmonauts to effect their position in space on their perspective on various issues, from violence among peoples and protecting the environment, the personal relationship with God.
"Exploring space is a fascinating scientific adventure. I know you refine equipment to continue scientific research and study the radiation coming from space. But I think it is an adventure for the human spirit. A strong incentive to reflect on the origins and destiny of the universe and humanity, "said Benedict XVI.
Pope asked the astronauts if they think about these things and if he prays to God.
"If you have a spare moment to look down (to Earth), we embrace the beauty of our planet soul ... my soul embraces," said Roberto Vitti. "And I pray. I pray for myself, our families, our future," he added.
Speaking in Italian, Pope was also addressed by sending Nespoli and condolences for the recent death of his mother, saying he prayed for her.
Also, the pontiff was also referring to the attempt on his wife American astronaut Mark Kelly, Democrat Gabrielle Giffords, shot in the head earlier this year, and said he hoped that its status will continue to improve. Pope asked in this context the astronauts if they believe that science can help create peace on Earth.
"We fly above the large parts of the world and see no borders," said Mark Kelly, commander aboard the Endeavour, adding however that people often struggle for power while in space, astronauts use solar energy and technology they have to make virtually unlimited. "If this technology could be adapted more on Earth, we could probably reduce the violence," said Kelly.
The Pope also asked if the astronauts had seen any phenomenon that ought to make people more careful about protecting the environment.
"On the one hand, we see how beautiful is our planet, but on the other hand we see very clear and fragile as it is. The atmosphere, for example, when seen from space, is thin as paper. And to think thin as paper that is the only thing that separates the vacuum and all life that protects us, wake up to reality, "said Ron warranty from NASA.
Finally, ask the pope would be the most important message that would send him to return to Earth, Mike Finck, the Endeavour crew, talked about "exploration" and "cooperation."
"We can look down and see our beautiful planet created by God and is the most beautiful planet in the solar system-wide. However, if you look up, see the rest of the universe. And the rest of the universe waiting for us to explore. International Space Station is just a symbol, an example of what people can do when they work together constructively, "said astronaut.
Space Shuttle Endeavour was launched on Monday for her last mission in space and connected to the ISS on Wednesday. This is the last and penultimate mission nevetei Endeavour space shuttle mission to the U.S. before their withdrawal from circulation.
NASA wants to save money to develop new spacecraft capable of traveling beyond the orbit of the ISS.
After launching the shuttle Endeavour, whose landing is scheduled on June 1, the last flight of a U.S. space shuttle Atlantis will be done probably in July. After withdrawal from service of the U.S. shuttle - Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour - the U.S. will depend on Russian Soyuz capsules to transport American astronauts on the ISS until the arrival of American capsule Orion, planned for early 2016.
Russian space agency NASA charged with over 50 million dollars for each place on board the Soyuz capsule. On board the Soyuz capsule can pick up three astronauts.
ISS, whose construction began in 1998 and is permanently occupied since November 2000, is in orbit at an altitude of 350 kilometers, making one complete revolution around the Earth every 90 minutes, speed sailing average of 28,000 miles per hour.
ISS is a space project worth 100 billion dollars, mainly financed by the United States of America and to the 16 countries that participate.
.
Comments and Share this with your friends or bookmark this website ...you have a lot of options to remember this site in seconds.
Enjoy !