Keith’s note: The popularity of space exploration – both real and imagined – is something that those of us in the developed and throughly wired developed world take for granted. What we often do not appreciate is how much of our content leaks out and finds its ways across the rest of the world. And in so doing how it can inspire millions of people – ones that we never stop to think about – to aspire to explore space. [much more below]

As the whole notion of space exploration filters out the whole commercial space, space debris, humans vs robots, rich people on joy ride memes all tend to self-cancel. It seems that what is left is the essence of exploring space – the adventure, the fact that any nation or people who goes there does so against great odds – hence the accomplishment is great. Moreover it is the basic essence sans politics – the stuff of dreams – whether it comes from looking up at the stars at night or watching recycled western SciFi – that endures as it reaches improbably far throughout humanity.

A good friend of mine was in China just before Shenzhou 1 was launched with China’s first astronaut. The national pride was ubiquitous and palpable – almost as if from an era bygone in America or the old Soviet Union when the race to the Moon embraced an entire generation. The fact that such a thing had been done before by other nations was important only in so much as China – and all of the people of China had now joined that club. You now see the same thing in India and the UAE these days. Soon many other countries will catch the space bug.

When humans set foot on the Moon once again – regardless of who goes back first – the majority of humanity will never have see this happen live with their own eyes. We’ll be doing the same thing – again for – the first time. (see: “Doing Something Again For The First Time“) I am not certain NASA gets that since they tend to wallow in Apollo nostalgia at every possible opportunity. I try and mention it at every opportunity when I get on TV. The Artemis Accords are nice but they are high level government documents with lofty goals minus real world, day to day, applications. The story of going to the Moon and beyond – and how space benefits everyone – now needs to be told in a way that resonates with everyone – everywhere – and not just with certain zip codes in Texas and Florida.

Space exploration is perhaps the one thing that all nations can now aspire to join. And true to form, every nation will take their own path towards that adventure. Some paths will be longer and more arduous than other – but follow that path they will.

The other day something flashed before my eyes on Facebook – from a Star Trek fan page that I follow. The post linked to this charity’s page “The Butterfly Project – Developing youth social entrepreneurs in Africa” – but specifically to this post “Ugandan School Uses Star Trek to help Disadvantaged Children Explore new Frontiers” which says “The Butterfly Project is a unique project in Uganda, which trains up young people from the most remote rural villages and disadvantaged urban slum districts to become social entrepreneurs.”

You may recall that Nichelle Nichols who played the original Lt. Uhura was thinking about quitting the show until Martin Luther King talked her out of it – the reason being (in a nutshell) that her presence spoke to a future of diversity and opportunity – for everyone. So she stayed. The current incarnation of Uhura, Celia Rose Gooding, takes that legacy and runs with it. Indeed, she did so rather succinctly in the first episode of “Strange New Worlds” with this simple one word response that speaks volumes:

Star Trek Strange New Worlds Season 1 Episode 1 — Paramount

I grew up watching the orignal Star Trek series – in Black and White on a Zenith TV the size of a small dorm refrigerator. I was 11 years old – and was waiting for the whole Moon landing thing to happen. The series left an indelible impression on me as to what the future would be like – one that has not left me since then. In essence, the future would have white people and black people and asians and Russians – men and women – and even actual aliens – all working as a team while exploring all those strange new worlds. Yes, it was idealistic (even with the 60s sexist stuff mixed in). And today you’d say it was “woke” even back then – and that Star Trek still is “woke” today. OK, so I guess I am “woke” too. Screw you if you can’t handle that. Let’s go explore.

This paragraph from the blog speaks to the essence of what they are doing:

[The charity’s founder Ben Parkinson] says: “They now rush to get the best seats and the enthusiasm is incredible. Star Trek is a fantastic show to inspire young people and it is generating incredible discussions. The children are fascinated by the technology and intrigued to learn more about the science. They also really engage with the diverse mix of characters which include several African American actors. They can start to imagine how they might go on their own adventures and work collaboratively for the greater good.” The children have responded so positively that they have made their own Star Trek costumes and an impressive carboard model of the Enterprise. The school has put on extra viewings to meet demand and has also treated the children to episodes from Strange New Worlds and Deep Space Nine. It now plans to create a Star Trek club to explore more learning opportunities. Mercy (14) said: “We love watching Star Trek and seeing everyone work together on the bridge. It teaches us so many new things and helps us think about what we might do in the future to make the world a better place.” Her colleague Andrew (also 14) says “Captain Sisko left a profound impression on me. His dedication to the crew of DS9 inspired me, as well as his belief in the potential for peace and co-operation in the Alpha Quadrant. I loved watching his leadership and diplomatic skills at work and I hope one day I can be like him.”

You should read the whole blog post.

Here we are, 1/4 of the way into the 2st century. After too long of a hiatus we are once again going back to the Moon and claim that we are going to Mars. Now, if NASA can’t pull it off companies and other countries can. So, one way or another, we’re going back – and then beyond.

The ingenuity and skill of Ugandan children is often underplayed. This cardboard Enterprise took just a single day to build. Ambrose (who built it) wants to be an engineer, when he grows up. Larger image – Butterfly Project

One of the things that really grabbed me was the picture of the model of the NX-01 Enterprise that one of the students (Ambrose) built – the one that was featured in the Star Trek ‘origins’ series “Enterprise.” The first time I flew on ZeroG’s parabolic flight I brought my little Hallmark NX-01 with me. I am certain that it was the first time anyone actually tried it out in prolonged microgravity (it worked just fine). How curious that Ambrose and I both focused on this one specific Star Trek meme to express our reaction to an important life event.

That’s me on a ZeroG weightless flight in 2007 with a small Enterprise NX-01 – and yes, it does quite well in weightlessness.

An American TV series inspired young children in Uganda to get excited about space – and their future. Imagine that.

As I have posted here had an epiphany of sorts in 2009 when astronaut Scott Parazynski and I went to Nepal so that he could get to the summit of Everest (see “My Star Trek Episode at Everest“). I had 4 small Apollo 11 Moon rocks in my pocket. Scott took them to the summit and then we managed to get the Moon rocks plus a piece of the summit of Everest onto the International Space Station. These rocks have travelled millions of miles in the ISS Cupola since then.

This Moon and Everest rock saga, in turn, inspired a student named Michael Kronmiller. Yes, his last name may be familiar. Michael set up a project in Nepal where he worked with students in Kathmandu to build drones some of which he flew at Everest. There are now ongoing programs in Nepal as a result. Now we fly drones on Mars, right? Somewhere in Kathmandu future Mars drone operators are planning their future. Scott, myself, and Bill Readdy acted as advisors. Now, a piece of the summit of Everest – provided to Michael by some Nepalis – is on board the Astrobotic Peregrine lander which is heading to the Moon. Funny how these circles intersect and interact synergistically. You just need to be open to seeing them.

Left: Plaque on the ISS with Apollo 11 Moon rocks that went to the summit of Everest in Nepal plus a piece of the summit of Everest collected by astronaut Scott Parazynski which now reside in the ISS cupola. Right – a piece of the summit of Everest – form Nepal – sent to the Moon by Michael Kronmiller on the Astrobotic Peregrine lander

Opportunities to engage people outside the usual space bubble – in a meaningful and life altering fashion – are easy to find and act upon. Again, you only need to have an open mind that searches out and then recognizes them. In the case of NASA and other large space agencies, space companies, and various trade organizations, their gaze is always focused on things nearby and how it can affect their projects. Yet NASA talks – brags – about its global reach. With the sole exception of the truly wonderful NASA Space Apps Challenge effort – NASA’s claims about global impact fall woefully short when it comes with dealing with real people in real places outside of their comfort zone.

Yes, NASA is an American government agency and its “stakeholders” are American citizens first and foremost. But if NASA is going to pump up its chest and imply that it is a global leader, tout the Artemis accords etc. etc. then it needs to act globally – down to the places where real people live and work – and dream.

I’ll just stop here and suggest that you take a look at Chrysalis Youth Empowerment Network (CYEN) in Uganda and consider making a donation. And to NASA’s OIIR, Education, and Artemis programs: if these kids in Uganda can find ways to make Star Trek uniforms and Starships (out of cardboard), imagine what they could do with some of that good old NASA conference bling – and maybe some space flown patches. Better yet – a chance to build/launch cubesats. Just sayin’.

Update: I just did a Deutsche Welle TV interview about the Astrobotic Peregrine mission – and I needed a spaceship model to illustrate the solar panel issue – so I grabbed the closest one i.e. my little NX-01 😉

Earlier posts on NASA Outreach and Branding

A Message From – And To – NASA From Star Trek Strange New Worlds (2023)

Anson Mount (Captain Pike): “The dream is what comes first and is the foundation that the future is built upon. For both of us, and so many of our colleagues at NASA, and throughout the space industry, [emotional pause] our dream is Star Trek. [Cue Star Trek music] For over half a century, Star Trek has provided a bold vision of a future full of wonder and awe. During difficult times of disease and strife, Star Trek’s message of hope and optimism stands out like a beacon calling to generations of scientists and engineers and explorers to transform the dream of a better future into reality. Despite whatever challenges humanity may be facing, Star Trek has taught us that tomorrow will be better. That we will feed the world, heal the sick, and join together in a federation that celebrates differences universally. Star Trek’s hallmark of open optimism has never been more relevant – and needed – than it is today.”

Additional previous postings