Civil War II continues to intensify apace. Just as the first one did it frequently establishes unprecedented parameters for bitterness in internecine conflict in America. But an anniversary is marked now which must give us pause and good reason to dwell for a redeeming moment on its shining and perhaps unequaled example.
Its the 40th anniversary of the launching of Voyagers II and I. I fear I cannot find adequate words but I will try to describe the gladness and pride this inspires in me. I'll attempt not to wax too wordy but I may not be able to avoid it. One of the many sometimes undeserved good fortunes in being a boomer is that we are the last generation to have once looked upon physical examination of space as somewhat plausible fiction and its accomplishment as a still astounding development.
Heck, our country couldn't even get Vanguard, with its three pound satellite, off the ground for a long, painful time. But less than ten years later we had done the manned flight I'll always cherish most in my memory - Apollo 8's lunar orbiter, with its fantastic views, eloquent messages from that then unvisited vale and its brilliant accomplishment.
Another nine years and American engineering wrought that which in my opinion is the premier artifice of humanity (excepting of course the medical instruments and substances which have made our healing capabilities miraculous), the monumental Voyagers.
Their present realities are beyond laudable. They are approximately 11 and 13 billion miles from Earth. They have, by some informed reckonings, entered INTERSTELLAR space. What must it be like out there? The deep, deep cold, the indescribable sights but with Beatles' songs aboard too; what a gas. Every last minute of their 40 year lives they have transited tens of thousands of miles. I believe I've read we still hear from them and their composite portrait of the 8 planets from outside the orbits beggars my 70 year old imagination. The records they carry with information on Earth for (God help me understand this), alien civilizations, are said by scientists to be capable of lasting from 1 to 3 billion years!!!!!! What may be of humanity in such a time period is beyond prediction.
The astronauts are deservedly revered by level headed Americans. But the largely anonymous engineers, with their demanding and sometimes unfashionable lifestyles (in such tony places as Southern California, Long Island and Florida's sea coast), have earned lasting fame. My Uncle recruited and supervised many of them and I will always hold them in awe and affection. Just imagine, they created vehicles which may outlive Earth and communicate to, well, who knows who. The Voyagers have lasted way beyond their projected lives; this is the product of unrelenting and largely uncelebrated rigorous devotion to duty on the part of their creators. Just think, their product could be the last surviving record of Earthly humanity some day. What an accomplishment! What satisfaction for their often ascetic lives they are so richly due.
The wonders which we may behold at an incalculable distance on any clear night are beyond understanding for most of us. A few intensely discerning humans may be able to grasp some of them sometimes. The Voyagers, products of our very time, may actually visit some of them. What wonder there is in that and what great good fortune that we may know it.
Who can say what interstellar entity or association we may someday or, unknown to us, may already be citizen . Perhaps the Voyagers, which lived for a time with us, may be our first ambassadors. Just imagine! Jack
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