I was just a child when the Iranian Revolution erupted. It was a tumultuous time, filled with uncertainty and fear. Little did I know that the events unfolding before my eyes would shape the course of my life and my country.
By the age of 10, I'd already journeyed to countless cities across Iran, Europe, and India, each one a unique tapestry of cultures and experiences.
My father believed in a gradual approach to travel. He thought it was important to explore one's own backyard first, then venture further afield. This meant that countries like Japan, Australia, Canada, and the US would have to wait.
That episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond(1)" where Debra and Ray argue about moving across the street from his parents always cracks me up. It's like they start with a simple disagreement and end up debating intergalactic real estate! Classic.(2)
As a child, my understanding of the world was primarily shaped by Iranian geography textbooks. While they provided a solid foundation in domestic geography, our knowledge of distant lands like South America and Africa was quite limited. Our history textbooks, too, were focused on Iran, leaving the broader global context largely unexplored. It wasn't until later that I realized how much of our history had been rewritten, and how much I had yet to learn.
I was captivated by the wonders of space. I vividly remember watching grainy 8mm films of Space: 1999(3) and being mesmerized by the futuristic adventures of the Orion spaceship in The Fantastic Voyages of Spaceship Orion(4). These early experiences ignited a lifelong passion for exploration and discovery.
It was heartbreaking to see the drastic change in our circumstances after the revolution. Our once-valuable passports became nearly worthless, a stark contrast to the opportunities they once held. I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration and disappointment towards my father, who had turned down job offers abroad due to a strong sense of nationalism. While I admired his patriotism, I couldn't shake the feeling that he had missed a chance to secure a better future for our family. It was a painful reminder of the missed potential and the sacrifices made in the name of loyalty to one's homeland.
Moving to Canada opened up a world of possibilities, and visiting NASA facilities was at the top of my list. I was thrilled to explore the cutting-edge research at NASA Ames(5) in California, and the awe-inspiring history at the Kennedy Space Center(6) in Florida. It was a dream come true to witness firsthand the incredible advancements in space exploration.
That's the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center! It's an engineering marvel where history was made. This massive structure has housed some of the most powerful rockets ever built, including the Saturn V rockets that took astronauts to the Moon and the Space Shuttles that ferried crews to and from Earth orbit.
It's truly inspiring to think about the countless hours of work and dedication that went into assembling these incredible machines within those walls.
That's the Crawler-Transporter! It's an incredible feat of engineering, designed to move massive payloads like the Space Shuttle and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. These behemoths slowly trundle the rocket stacks from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to the launch pad, a journey of several miles.
It's truly a sight to behold when you see one of these giants in action.
It's incredible to think about the sheer scale and complexity of the Space Shuttle program. Seeing a Shuttle poised on the launch pad, ready to soar into space, is a testament to human ingenuity and ambition.
It's a shame that the Space Shuttle program has concluded, but the legacy it leaves behind continues to inspire future generations of explorers and scientists.
It's a bit of a tease, isn't it? Seeing just a peek of the rocket can build anticipation and excitement. It's a reminder of the massive scale of these missions and the engineering marvel that goes into each launch.
Those iconic white suits, the epitome of space exploration! It's incredible to think about the courage and determination of the astronauts who donned those suits and embarked on their historic missions.
The "Astrovan," as it was affectionately known, carried these pioneers to the launch pad, a final journey before their cosmic adventure.
The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), a true moon buggy! These vehicles allowed astronauts to explore much greater distances on the lunar surface than would have been possible on foot. They were instrumental in collecting valuable scientific data and lunar samples.
It's amazing to think about the challenges of designing and operating a vehicle on a celestial body with such low gravity and a harsh environment.
A brilliant streak of light pierces the Earth's atmosphere. A capsule, scorched and battered from its lunar journey, hurtles towards its destination. Inside, astronauts, weary but triumphant, endure the intense heat and G-forces of reentry.
A masterpiece of engineering, the Space Shuttle redefined space travel, making it a routine journey to low-Earth orbit.
The Canadian Arm, officially known as the Canadarm, is a robotic manipulator arm that has been a vital tool for space missions. Developed by the Canadian Space Agency, it has played a crucial role in various space endeavors, including the Space Shuttle program and the International Space Station (ISS).
Oh wait, all of this happened in the very state that champions anti-woke culture. Talk about irony!
(c) I personally took these photos and own the
rights to them. Please feel free to use them as you wish.
(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everybody_Loves_Raymond
(2) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0764425/
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