Miracles of Space Travel During Times of War

The duality of human nature

The first week of April was very strange.

On April 1, NASA launched Artemis II, the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo in 1972, sending humans deeper into space than we’ve ever gone before.

The Orion spacecraft traveled 252,756 miles away from Earth to the far side of the moon.

The crew took pictures of what our planet looks like from that perspective. The images are so stunning they evoke a childlike wonder.

On that same day, President Donald Trump addressed the world about “Operation Epic Fury” an extremely unpopular war in Iran on behalf of Israel.

A few days later, on the morning of Easter Sunday, Trump said ‘Praise be to Allah’ after threatening to blow up Iran’s infrastructure.

On April 7, Donald Trump threatened to nuke Iran.

I can’t help but notice the sharp contrast.

Artemis II displays the heights of beauty through human ingenuity. Discoveries in math and physics that lead to our mastery over reality. A highly intelligent species breaking free of its physical limitations.

The War in Iran reflects the depths of human ugliness. Avoidable destruction, heartbreak, and death. Power-hungry barbarians obliterating themselves over territory.

Both of these events, looked at separately, are potential turning points. Being extremely optimistic or pessimistic about the future is simply too arrogant. Humans are far too complicated. There are too many unknowns at play.

This week proves that human nature can go in either direction. We could reach the stars or blow ourselves up. The fate of our species rests on which side each individual decides to defend and cultivate. These are choices.