On Apr 12, 2006, at 11:39 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
I think every American who was alive at that time remembers Yuri
Gagarin and the first space flight. It was huge news here and left
an indelible mark on the country. Remember, this came at the height
of the cold war, and it was an embarassment to the United States.
It was what led Kennedy to pledge that the US would put a man on
the moon within ten years. Yuri's flight was a tremendous
accomplishment, and it altered the history of the planet.
Yes. And Sputnik before that. (The animated film "The Iron Giant"
circa 2000 recalls that era well, it's brilliant ...)
But I hold to that moment on Christmas eve seven years later as being
the seminal moment. When you can see all that you and your ancestors
have ever known as a quarter-sized dot over the horizon of another
world, and broadcast that for all the rest of the world to share with
you, I think that has compelling power far beyond the prior moments
of discovery and accomplishment that made it possible.
Ok, getting past the heavy stuff, time for a trivia question:
Given that the near limit of outer space is considered to be 100
miles elevation from sea level, what was the first man-made object to
reach outer space?
Godfrey
