Recently, I came across photographs of three Buddhist monks during our visit to Kennedy Space Center in Florida back in December, 2012.
Not only did I find the monks terribly photogenic (in a Holy sort-of way), but it reminded me of another three monks my wife and I saw during our visit this summer to Houston Space Center in Texas.
When the monks boarded the tour bus, they sat in the row ahead of us, and seemed terribly interested in all the buildings that make up the adjacent Johnson Space Center. It's a college-like campus where talented people work on all aspects of the United States space program.
The Texas heat got to all of us, so this gentleman can be excused for rubbing his eyes to ward off sleep while we waited to visit Historic Mission Control.
When the tour bus stopped at the rocket garden, one monk rushed ahead, eager to study the engines and other displays.
Another lingered behind, attempting to capture the Redstone and the other rockets for posterity.
The third snuck his way into my photograph, standing beneath the nosecone of the Saturn V rocket set horizontally within a large aircraft hanger. My apologies if the photo seems a little blurry. He might have been a big guy, but he's puny in comparison to the mighty Saturn V.
I don't know if these two incidents are merely coincidences, or if Buddhist monks are naturally drawn to rockets and spaceships. But right now it seems as if our manned space program is just tippy-toeing ahead, and it'd be great to see it take large leaps instead. Perhaps Buddhist Monks should form a political action group (PAC) that could apply pressure to the President and Congress to speed up our manned space program.
We all need others to get behind us, and support our efforts, if we wish to reach our highest goals.
Dragon Dave
Rusty: Look, there's the Space Shuttle!
I guess they're working on it. I hope they don't end up with any extra pieces!
From behind, it reminds me of an Imperial Star Destroyer. I wonder if Darth Vader ever rode in one. Maybe I'll sneak inside for a moment.
These knobs and switches are cool. And all this to preserve the packaged chocolate pudding the astronauts will consume in space. I bet they wouldn't mind if I consumed one before I finished my exploration of the Space Shuttle. I mean, I'd only eat one…
Say, this cockpit is too cool. I can't imagine how the pilots know how to use so many instruments.
Artist: There you are! I was wondering where you had gotten to.
Rusty: Sorry. I guess time got away from me.
Artist: I know what you mean. This cockpit reminds me of the Millennium Falcon.
Rusty: Yeah, Han Solo and Chewbacca would totally dig it.
Artist: Hey, do you smell chocolate pudding?
Rusty: Umm…
Rusty & Artist Dalek
Stan: I hope you've enjoyed this morning's tour of Space Center Houston.
Rusty: Oh, I have! Now I want to be an astronaut more than ever!
Stan: That's the spirit! I've certainly enjoyed my space missions, and I'm sure you will too, once you become astronauts. So shall we sign you both up for memberships in our program?
Rusty: Absolutely!
Artist: Uh, I guess so.
Stan: Great! While my staff processes the paperwork, let's enjoy a typical astronaut meal in the food court. Astronauts love freeze-dried poultry pieces preserved in seasoned batter, and sections of fried vegetable matter ready for dipping. Not only are they incredibly healthy, but they're also easy and fun to consume in zero gravity.
Rusty: My olfactory senses detect flavor-packed aromas. Why so many sauces, Stan?
Stan: It's an unfortunate fact that the vacuum of space deadens an astronaut's taste buds.
Artist: Ouch!
Stan: Don't worry: it's not painful, and their appreciation for food returns when they get back to Earth. But while in space, astronauts rely on dipping sauces like ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey-mustard, and Red Hot Breathe-Fire-Like-A-Dragon to enhance the flavors of their food.
Artist: Astronauts already endure rigorous schedules, years of preparations, and long periods away from friends and loved ones. I'm not sure I'd want to go into space if it also lessened my ability to appreciate the nutrients I ingest.
Stan: Are you sure? Space travel is too cool to miss.
Rusty: Yeah, and besides, dipping sauces are fun.
Artist: I suppose you're right. What's one more sacrifice, when the rewards could be so great? Okay, sign me up for membership in the space program.
Stan: Congratulations you two! You're now official members of Space Center Houston. That'll be seventy-six bucks apiece.
Rusty: Hey, I thought membership only cost $26 per person!
Stan: Yes, but then you have to add on fifty bucks for "Lunch with an Astronaut."
Artist: Oh nice! And you said dipping sauces were fun!
Rusty: They are!
Artist & Rusty Daleks, and Stan the Cyberman
Stan: Welcome, Space Enthusiasts! I'm Stan the Cyberman, NASA's latest robonaut. Let me show you the highlights of Houston Space Center.
NASA's human astronauts wore these on previous missions. With my cybernetic knitted body, I don't need gloves.
Still, sometimes I wish I had fingers.
The Captain of a previous mission wore this uniform aboard the International Space Station. I can't remember his name right off. Captain Peacock? Captain Pike? Captain Phillips?
I'm sure it began with a P.
After an arduous spacewalk, I enjoy playing chess with my fellow astronauts. Official NASA documents state the agency returned this set to Earth because engineers needed to refurbish the set. I suspect the other astronauts just got tired of me winning all the time, and thought a new set might bring them better luck.
What can I say? They're only human.
Despite the flaws inherent in their biological systems, I enjoying working and hanging out with my human counterparts. We usually have a lot of fun together.
And here's a prototype for another robonaut. He's modeled on the Transformers, an intelligent race of beings from the planet Cybertron. Doesn't he look cool?
So, give me some feedback. Does seeing all this inspire you? Do you think NASA might someday select Daleks for astronaut training?
Rusty: I can't believe Stan made it here before us.
Artist: The wise Dalek finds inspiration, not envy, in others' achievements.
Rusty: You're right, I know you're right. Still, a Cyberman! And I was really enjoying my visit to Houston Space Center…
Stan the Cyberman, and Artist & Rusty Daleks
Yes, you rest, Mistress. A park is a great place to take a break from driving. Relax under the trees, soak in the vivid greens, the...
…Ooh look, planes! Are those T-38s?
They are! I love the T-38 Talons! NASA has used them since the Project Gemini days for research and astronaut training. Northrop built over a thousand for the Air Force, half of which the United States military still uses today. Other countries also use the T-38s for, you know, whatever they want, I guess.
Mistress should get one. It'd be faster than a car.
Say, there is trusty old BP-K, the boilerplate capsule used during the Apollo years. NASA engineers also used BP-K to test aspects of the Space Shuttle Thermal Protection System. Master should get one. He could adapt it into an super-cool office.
Say, this park is really out of this world! I wonder where we are?
Artist Dalek
