a couple years ago my wife and I have were having dinner with some friends and
were having dinner with some friends and
were having dinner with some friends and the conversation around the table got on
the conversation around the table got on
the conversation around the table got on to spaceflight and medicine and so one
to spaceflight and medicine and so one
to spaceflight and medicine and so one of our guests asked me knowing that I’d
of our guests asked me knowing that I’d
of our guests asked me knowing that I’d been back on earth for a few years after
been back on earth for a few years after
been back on earth for a few years after my last flight if I had returned to
my last flight if I had returned to
my last flight if I had returned to normal and I said yes I’ve returned to
normal and I said yes I’ve returned to
normal and I said yes I’ve returned to to normal well my wife interjected and
to normal well my wife interjected and
to normal well my wife interjected and she said no no no no you have not
she said no no no no you have not
she said no no no no you have not returned to normal
returned to normal
returned to normal psychologically she said you were still
psychologically she said you were still
psychologically she said you were still up there in space you’ve never returned
up there in space you’ve never returned
up there in space you’ve never returned so we all laughed and what I meant when
so we all laughed and what I meant when
so we all laughed and what I meant when I replied to our guests that I returned
I replied to our guests that I returned
I replied to our guests that I returned to normal was from a physiological
to normal was from a physiological
to normal was from a physiological perspective I had regained the aerobic
perspective I had regained the aerobic
perspective I had regained the aerobic capacity I had regained the muscle
capacity I had regained the muscle
capacity I had regained the muscle strength I had regained the bone mineral
strength I had regained the bone mineral
strength I had regained the bone mineral density that I’d lost during flight and
density that I’d lost during flight and
density that I’d lost during flight and my body more or less had returned to its
my body more or less had returned to its
my body more or less had returned to its pre-flight State but my wife was correct
pre-flight State but my wife was correct
pre-flight State but my wife was correct psychologically I was still up there in
psychologically I was still up there in
psychologically I was still up there in space and a lot of my priorities a lot
space and a lot of my priorities a lot
space and a lot of my priorities a lot of my perspectives had changed such that
of my perspectives had changed such that
of my perspectives had changed such that what I considered signal versus noise in
what I considered signal versus noise in
what I considered signal versus noise in the past had changed to post flight
the past had changed to post flight
the past had changed to post flight state so let me explain what I meant by
state so let me explain what I meant by
state so let me explain what I meant by that
that
that the first way that space changed me was
the first way that space changed me was
the first way that space changed me was an appreciation for the glorious beauty
an appreciation for the glorious beauty
an appreciation for the glorious beauty of the planet that we live on
of the planet that we live on
of the planet that we live on I remember our my first view of Earth
I remember our my first view of Earth
I remember our my first view of Earth from space we had just launched to space
from space we had just launched to space
from space we had just launched to space aboard the space shuttle Columbia about
aboard the space shuttle Columbia about
aboard the space shuttle Columbia about ten minutes into the orbit and someone
ten minutes into the orbit and someone
ten minutes into the orbit and someone tapped me on the shoulder and I looked
tapped me on the shoulder and I looked
tapped me on the shoulder and I looked out the window and this is what I saw it
out the window and this is what I saw it
out the window and this is what I saw it was the Atlantic Ocean and the Sun was
was the Atlantic Ocean and the Sun was
was the Atlantic Ocean and the Sun was glinting off of the blue waters of the
glinting off of the blue waters of the
glinting off of the blue waters of the ocean beyond the ocean was the curve of
ocean beyond the ocean was the curve of
ocean beyond the ocean was the curve of the Earth’s horizon and then beyond the
the Earth’s horizon and then beyond the
the Earth’s horizon and then beyond the horizon was nothing but empty black inky
horizon was nothing but empty black inky
horizon was nothing but empty black inky space it was surreal it was totally
space it was surreal it was totally
space it was surreal it was totally different than anything I’d experienced
different than anything I’d experienced
different than anything I’d experienced in a simulator anything that I’d viewed
in a simulator anything that I’d viewed
in a simulator anything that I’d viewed in a book or a film
in a book or a film
in a book or a film the view sent a chill up my spine that I
the view sent a chill up my spine that I
the view sent a chill up my spine that I never forgot and thereafter whenever I
never forgot and thereafter whenever I
never forgot and thereafter whenever I had time on subsequent days my favorite
had time on subsequent days my favorite
had time on subsequent days my favorite activity was just a float near a window
activity was just a float near a window
activity was just a float near a window and looked down at this beautiful planet
and looked down at this beautiful planet
and looked down at this beautiful planet down below so deserts come in a hundred
down below so deserts come in a hundred
down below so deserts come in a hundred shades of brown 100 shades of yellow a
shades of brown 100 shades of yellow a
shades of brown 100 shades of yellow a hundred shades of orange 100 shades of
hundred shades of orange 100 shades of
hundred shades of orange 100 shades of red a thunderstorm is a powerful
red a thunderstorm is a powerful
red a thunderstorm is a powerful phenomenon to observe from up above and
phenomenon to observe from up above and
phenomenon to observe from up above and viewed from up above mountain ranges
viewed from up above mountain ranges
viewed from up above mountain ranges erupting volcanoes ocean reefs are
erupting volcanoes ocean reefs are
erupting volcanoes ocean reefs are mesmerizing ly majestic the other thing
mesmerizing ly majestic the other thing
mesmerizing ly majestic the other thing I saw when I looked gazed out the window
I saw when I looked gazed out the window
I saw when I looked gazed out the window I gained an appreciation for the myriad
I gained an appreciation for the myriad
I gained an appreciation for the myriad of interconnections that exist in our
of interconnections that exist in our
of interconnections that exist in our natural ecosystem down below so for
natural ecosystem down below so for
natural ecosystem down below so for example forest fires in Siberia track
example forest fires in Siberia track
example forest fires in Siberia track all the way halfway across the world and
all the way halfway across the world and
all the way halfway across the world and impact the quality of air in North
impact the quality of air in North
impact the quality of air in North America a small atmospheric depression
America a small atmospheric depression
America a small atmospheric depression and the Atlantic Ocean develops into a
and the Atlantic Ocean develops into a
and the Atlantic Ocean develops into a category 4 hurricane and wreaks havoc in
category 4 hurricane and wreaks havoc in
category 4 hurricane and wreaks havoc in the lives of the citizens that live
the lives of the citizens that live
the lives of the citizens that live along the Gulf Coast overnight the price
along the Gulf Coast overnight the price
along the Gulf Coast overnight the price of gasoline goes up 30 cents per liter
of gasoline goes up 30 cents per liter
of gasoline goes up 30 cents per liter in my hometown which is half a continent
in my hometown which is half a continent
in my hometown which is half a continent away and what I began to appreciate is
away and what I began to appreciate is
away and what I began to appreciate is that Earth’s natural ecosystem features
that Earth’s natural ecosystem features
that Earth’s natural ecosystem features multifaceted interconnections between
multifaceted interconnections between
multifaceted interconnections between the land and the ocean in the atmosphere
the land and the ocean in the atmosphere
the land and the ocean in the atmosphere and the fresh water cycle and the flora
and the fresh water cycle and the flora
and the fresh water cycle and the flora and the fauna and a small disturbance on
and the fauna and a small disturbance on
and the fauna and a small disturbance on one part of the natural ecosystem can
one part of the natural ecosystem can
one part of the natural ecosystem can have an effect on the other side of the
have an effect on the other side of the
have an effect on the other side of the planet but ecosystems are elsewhere
planet but ecosystems are elsewhere
planet but ecosystems are elsewhere they’re everywhere and they’re beyond
they’re everywhere and they’re beyond
they’re everywhere and they’re beyond nature they permeate our society they
nature they permeate our society they
nature they permeate our society they permeate our lives so for example think
permeate our lives so for example think
permeate our lives so for example think about the human body the failure of the
about the human body the failure of the
about the human body the failure of the beta cells in our pancreas can put
beta cells in our pancreas can put
beta cells in our pancreas can put patients at significant risk for disease
patients at significant risk for disease
patients at significant risk for disease involving the nerves the eyes the teeth
involving the nerves the eyes the teeth
involving the nerves the eyes the teeth the heart the small blood vessels and
the heart the small blood vessels and
the heart the small blood vessels and even the kidneys all because a tiny
even the kidneys all because a tiny
even the kidneys all because a tiny tiny group of cells in the body no
tiny group of cells in the body no
tiny group of cells in the body no longer produces insulin another
longer produces insulin another
longer produces insulin another ecosystem is the financial world which
ecosystem is the financial world which
ecosystem is the financial world which features complex relationships between
features complex relationships between
features complex relationships between bankers consumers government’s
bankers consumers government’s
bankers consumers government’s shareholders regulators and back in 2008
shareholders regulators and back in 2008
shareholders regulators and back in 2008 the collapse of the Lehman Brothers
the collapse of the Lehman Brothers
the collapse of the Lehman Brothers kicked off a perfect storm of ensuing
kicked off a perfect storm of ensuing
kicked off a perfect storm of ensuing events that rippled outward and almost
events that rippled outward and almost
events that rippled outward and almost brought down our financial empire in the
brought down our financial empire in the
brought down our financial empire in the in the earth on the west coast of
in the earth on the west coast of
in the earth on the west coast of Vancouver Island there is an indigenous
Vancouver Island there is an indigenous
Vancouver Island there is an indigenous nation and there the neutral news and
nation and there the neutral news and
nation and there the neutral news and they believe in a holistic relationship
they believe in a holistic relationship
they believe in a holistic relationship between the physical world and the
between the physical world and the
between the physical world and the spiritual worlds and they have a saying
spiritual worlds and they have a saying
spiritual worlds and they have a saying that they hold on to his shook ish so
that they hold on to his shook ish so
that they hold on to his shook ish so walk which when you translated it means
walk which when you translated it means
walk which when you translated it means everything is one we are all connected
everything is one we are all connected
everything is one we are all connected everything is one we are all connected
everything is one we are all connected
everything is one we are all connected in other words they perceive that the
in other words they perceive that the
in other words they perceive that the universe is an intricate in an orderly
universe is an intricate in an orderly
universe is an intricate in an orderly whole and things that happen in one part
whole and things that happen in one part
whole and things that happen in one part of this whole impact and are connected
of this whole impact and are connected
of this whole impact and are connected to many other systems throughout our
to many other systems throughout our
to many other systems throughout our planet throughout society throughout our
planet throughout society throughout our
planet throughout society throughout our our lives but looking down at the earth
our lives but looking down at the earth
our lives but looking down at the earth with the passage of time and space when
with the passage of time and space when
with the passage of time and space when days became weeks and weeks became
days became weeks and weeks became
days became weeks and weeks became months I began to perceive some of the
months I began to perceive some of the
months I began to perceive some of the small details down on the planetary
small details down on the planetary
small details down on the planetary surface below and that really impressed
surface below and that really impressed
surface below and that really impressed me with the fragility and the
me with the fragility and the
me with the fragility and the vulnerability of our planet and it also
vulnerability of our planet and it also
vulnerability of our planet and it also impressed me with the impact that human
impressed me with the impact that human
impressed me with the impact that human activity is having on our planet as well
activity is having on our planet as well
activity is having on our planet as well so for example off the east coast of
so for example off the east coast of
so for example off the east coast of Africa there’s an island nation called
Africa there’s an island nation called
Africa there’s an island nation called Madagascar and Madagascar is suffering
Madagascar and Madagascar is suffering
Madagascar and Madagascar is suffering from catastrophic loss of topsoil so the
from catastrophic loss of topsoil so the
from catastrophic loss of topsoil so the unregulated removal of forests native
unregulated removal of forests native
unregulated removal of forests native forests from Madagascar over the last
forests from Madagascar over the last
forests from Madagascar over the last fifty or hundred years for a pasture
fifty or hundred years for a pasture
fifty or hundred years for a pasture land for cultivation purposes has
land for cultivation purposes has
land for cultivation purposes has resulted in massive erosion so massive
resulted in massive erosion so massive
resulted in massive erosion so massive loads of topsoil are coming off the
loads of topsoil are coming off the
loads of topsoil are coming off the denuded mountain sides into the river
denuded mountain sides into the river
denuded mountain sides into the river valleys below choking off the river and
valleys below choking off the river and
valleys below choking off the river and then with the river outflow all of this
then with the river outflow all of this
then with the river outflow all of this life-sustaining valuable topsoil is
life-sustaining valuable topsoil is
life-sustaining valuable topsoil is leaving in vanish
leaving in vanish
leaving in vanish from Madagascar for ever so you say well
from Madagascar for ever so you say well
from Madagascar for ever so you say well Bob you know this is the 21st century
Bob you know this is the 21st century
Bob you know this is the 21st century what happened fifty or a hundred years
what happened fifty or a hundred years
what happened fifty or a hundred years ago is the past certainly we’re smarter
ago is the past certainly we’re smarter
ago is the past certainly we’re smarter today we’re wiser we understand the
today we’re wiser we understand the
today we’re wiser we understand the concept of sustainability this would
concept of sustainability this would
concept of sustainability this would never happen again right wrong so this
never happen again right wrong so this
never happen again right wrong so this is a photo that I took of the Brazilian
is a photo that I took of the Brazilian
is a photo that I took of the Brazilian rainforest whenever we pass over the
rainforest whenever we pass over the
rainforest whenever we pass over the Amazon I would see tens of brush fires
Amazon I would see tens of brush fires
Amazon I would see tens of brush fires with their smoky Paul’s coming up into
with their smoky Paul’s coming up into
with their smoky Paul’s coming up into the atmosphere and then being
the atmosphere and then being
the atmosphere and then being transferred halfway across the Atlantic
transferred halfway across the Atlantic
transferred halfway across the Atlantic Ocean towards Africa so the same
Ocean towards Africa so the same
Ocean towards Africa so the same deforestation that happened 50 years ago
deforestation that happened 50 years ago
deforestation that happened 50 years ago in Madagascar is happening today
in Madagascar is happening today
in Madagascar is happening today in the Amazon one particular Brazilian
in the Amazon one particular Brazilian
in the Amazon one particular Brazilian state known as Rondonia is particularly
state known as Rondonia is particularly
state known as Rondonia is particularly bad hit and there is more area now of
bad hit and there is more area now of
bad hit and there is more area now of clear-cut than or is of remaining
clear-cut than or is of remaining
clear-cut than or is of remaining rainforest canopy and this is tragic not
rainforest canopy and this is tragic not
rainforest canopy and this is tragic not just for the Brazilians but it’s tragic
just for the Brazilians but it’s tragic
just for the Brazilians but it’s tragic for all of us because the Amazon
for all of us because the Amazon
for all of us because the Amazon rainforest are the lungs they affect the
rainforest are the lungs they affect the
rainforest are the lungs they affect the quality of the entire atmosphere of the
quality of the entire atmosphere of the
quality of the entire atmosphere of the entire planet
so today was a clear day in Calgary and
so today was a clear day in Calgary and I looked up and I saw clear blue Prairie
I looked up and I saw clear blue Prairie
I looked up and I saw clear blue Prairie sky 360 degrees around me blue blue blue
sky 360 degrees around me blue blue blue
sky 360 degrees around me blue blue blue blue blue and if you’re thinking that we
blue blue and if you’re thinking that we
blue blue and if you’re thinking that we have one resource on earth that’s
have one resource on earth that’s
have one resource on earth that’s plentiful it’s got to be our atmosphere
plentiful it’s got to be our atmosphere
plentiful it’s got to be our atmosphere well viewed from space that’s not the
well viewed from space that’s not the
well viewed from space that’s not the case all that we have that protects us
case all that we have that protects us
case all that we have that protects us from the harsh environment of space is a
from the harsh environment of space is a
from the harsh environment of space is a sheer veil of atmosphere that envelops
sheer veil of atmosphere that envelops
sheer veil of atmosphere that envelops our planet so it protects us against
our planet so it protects us against
our planet so it protects us against hard vacuum extremes of temperature
hard vacuum extremes of temperature
hard vacuum extremes of temperature ultraviolet radiation ionizing radiation
ultraviolet radiation ionizing radiation
ultraviolet radiation ionizing radiation all that we have that sustains life on
all that we have that sustains life on
all that we have that sustains life on Earth is a sheer thin veil of atmosphere
Earth is a sheer thin veil of atmosphere
Earth is a sheer thin veil of atmosphere one of the delights for me during my
one of the delights for me during my
one of the delights for me during my first flight was recognizing that the
first flight was recognizing that the
first flight was recognizing that the nighttime view of the planet is every
nighttime view of the planet is every
nighttime view of the planet is every bit as awesome as the date-time view
bit as awesome as the date-time view
bit as awesome as the date-time view took me by surprise and that’s because
took me by surprise and that’s because
took me by surprise and that’s because of their aura and also because of city
of their aura and also because of city
of their aura and also because of city lights as well city lights look like
lights as well city lights look like
lights as well city lights look like diamonds that are scattered on on black
diamonds that are scattered on on black
diamonds that are scattered on on black velvet and city lights are also helpful
velvet and city lights are also helpful
velvet and city lights are also helpful because they the outline
because they the outline
because they the outline the coastline of a country and they can
the coastline of a country and they can
the coastline of a country and they can also give you them good impression of
also give you them good impression of
also give you them good impression of the economic prosperity of a country or
the economic prosperity of a country or
the economic prosperity of a country or of cities like like Rome and Naples
of cities like like Rome and Naples
of cities like like Rome and Naples someone a long time ago said that from
someone a long time ago said that from
someone a long time ago said that from space you can’t see national borders in
space you can’t see national borders in
space you can’t see national borders in this statement is a nice sentiment and
this statement is a nice sentiment and
this statement is a nice sentiment and it’s partially true in that you know
it’s partially true in that you know
it’s partially true in that you know there’s no red line running along the
there’s no red line running along the
there’s no red line running along the boundary between neighboring countries
boundary between neighboring countries
boundary between neighboring countries that doesn’t exist but when you fly over
that doesn’t exist but when you fly over
that doesn’t exist but when you fly over at night times regions of the world
at night times regions of the world
at night times regions of the world you can certainly perceive which
you can certainly perceive which
you can certainly perceive which countries are doing well and which ones
countries are doing well and which ones
countries are doing well and which ones are not so this is a view of East Asia
are not so this is a view of East Asia
are not so this is a view of East Asia at nighttime in the lower right corner
at nighttime in the lower right corner
at nighttime in the lower right corner is the country of South Korea and the
is the country of South Korea and the
is the country of South Korea and the big intensity of light that’s the
big intensity of light that’s the
big intensity of light that’s the capital city Seoul and in the top left
capital city Seoul and in the top left
capital city Seoul and in the top left that’s China you can appreciate some of
that’s China you can appreciate some of
that’s China you can appreciate some of the big cities in China as well and what
the big cities in China as well and what
the big cities in China as well and what you probably think is that in between
you probably think is that in between
you probably think is that in between South Korea in China there’s a waterway
South Korea in China there’s a waterway
South Korea in China there’s a waterway there joining the Yellow Sea to the Sea
there joining the Yellow Sea to the Sea
there joining the Yellow Sea to the Sea of Japan it’s not it’s North Korea and
of Japan it’s not it’s North Korea and
of Japan it’s not it’s North Korea and in North Korea it’s a desolate blotch of
in North Korea it’s a desolate blotch of
in North Korea it’s a desolate blotch of darkness with no power no heating no
darkness with no power no heating no
darkness with no power no heating no lighting for 25 million citizens and as
lighting for 25 million citizens and as
lighting for 25 million citizens and as i overfly this country i realized that
i overfly this country i realized that
i overfly this country i realized that the north korean political leaders are
the north korean political leaders are
the north korean political leaders are misguided and they neglect the economic
misguided and they neglect the economic
misguided and they neglect the economic plight of their country and they ignore
plight of their country and they ignore
plight of their country and they ignore the standard of living of their citizens
the standard of living of their citizens
the standard of living of their citizens the only spot of light there is the
the only spot of light there is the
the only spot of light there is the capital city of pyongyang it’s it makes
capital city of pyongyang it’s it makes
capital city of pyongyang it’s it makes me feel regret for those societies that
me feel regret for those societies that
me feel regret for those societies that are repressed by harsh rule but don’t
are repressed by harsh rule but don’t
are repressed by harsh rule but don’t get me wrong the experience of
get me wrong the experience of
get me wrong the experience of spaceflight is overwhelmingly positive
spaceflight is overwhelmingly positive
spaceflight is overwhelmingly positive it engenders hope and promise
it engenders hope and promise
it engenders hope and promise collaboration everything that I’ve
collaboration everything that I’ve
collaboration everything that I’ve achieved as an astronaut has been done
achieved as an astronaut has been done
achieved as an astronaut has been done on the basis of collaboration
on the basis of collaboration
on the basis of collaboration collaboration across cultures across
collaboration across cultures across
collaboration across cultures across disciplines across international
disciplines across international
disciplines across international boundaries
boundaries
boundaries and even the view out the window helps
and even the view out the window helps
and even the view out the window helps to set that mindset of
to set that mindset of
to set that mindset of internationalization so at you know that
internationalization so at you know that
internationalization so at you know that the International Space Station orbits
the International Space Station orbits
the International Space Station orbits the earth once every 90 minutes and
the earth once every 90 minutes and
the earth once every 90 minutes and every 90 minutes I see a new pranayama
every 90 minutes I see a new pranayama
every 90 minutes I see a new pranayama of country so on one orbit I’ll pass
of country so on one orbit I’ll pass
of country so on one orbit I’ll pass over Honduras then Cuba Ireland Britain
over Honduras then Cuba Ireland Britain
over Honduras then Cuba Ireland Britain Central Europe the Middle East the
Central Europe the Middle East the
Central Europe the Middle East the Persian Gulf then off we’ll go and visit
Persian Gulf then off we’ll go and visit
Persian Gulf then off we’ll go and visit Australia and New Zealand and then the
Australia and New Zealand and then the
Australia and New Zealand and then the new global panorama starts with the
new global panorama starts with the
new global panorama starts with the start of the next orbit a new sequence
start of the next orbit a new sequence
start of the next orbit a new sequence of countries a new palette of
of countries a new palette of
of countries a new palette of topographies you know a lot of the
topographies you know a lot of the
topographies you know a lot of the countries that prior to flight that I
countries that prior to flight that I
countries that prior to flight that I wasn’t all that aware of suddenly
wasn’t all that aware of suddenly
wasn’t all that aware of suddenly dominate my daily view of the of the
dominate my daily view of the of the
dominate my daily view of the of the planet so I think about the countries I
planet so I think about the countries I
planet so I think about the countries I think about the people that live there
think about the people that live there
think about the people that live there Greece the home of ancient home of
Greece the home of ancient home of
Greece the home of ancient home of civilization Sudan South Sudan with the
civilization Sudan South Sudan with the
civilization Sudan South Sudan with the ongoing civil strife there and the
ongoing civil strife there and the
ongoing civil strife there and the famine and then I think of the Middle
famine and then I think of the Middle
famine and then I think of the Middle East the birthplace of Judaism
East the birthplace of Judaism
East the birthplace of Judaism Christianity Islam on my first week in
Christianity Islam on my first week in
Christianity Islam on my first week in space I eagerly sought out my hometown
space I eagerly sought out my hometown
space I eagerly sought out my hometown and when I found it I called my
and when I found it I called my
and when I found it I called my crewmates over and I pointed out my
crewmates over and I pointed out my
crewmates over and I pointed out my hometown to them the second week I
hometown to them the second week I
hometown to them the second week I became aware of my continent then the
became aware of my continent then the
became aware of my continent then the third week and thereafter I was only
third week and thereafter I was only
third week and thereafter I was only noticing one humanity
noticing one humanity
noticing one humanity I felt predominantly a citizen of planet
I felt predominantly a citizen of planet
I felt predominantly a citizen of planet Earth if you had asked me prior to my
Earth if you had asked me prior to my
Earth if you had asked me prior to my first flight aboard the station what is
first flight aboard the station what is
first flight aboard the station what is the best thing about the International
the best thing about the International
the best thing about the International Space Station I would have said that it
Space Station I would have said that it
Space Station I would have said that it is our unique research facility that
is our unique research facility that
is our unique research facility that allows us to do research you cannot
allows us to do research you cannot
allows us to do research you cannot possibly do on earth and if you asked me
possibly do on earth and if you asked me
possibly do on earth and if you asked me that same question after I flew on the
that same question after I flew on the
that same question after I flew on the ISS then my answer is a little bit
ISS then my answer is a little bit
ISS then my answer is a little bit different I still proclaim that the
different I still proclaim that the
different I still proclaim that the International Space Station is a R&D
International Space Station is a R&D
International Space Station is a R&D facility of no earthly pier but I think
facility of no earthly pier but I think
facility of no earthly pier but I think today best thing about the International
today best thing about the International
today best thing about the International Space Station is its international it is
Space Station is its international it is
Space Station is its international it is brought together
brought together
brought together former adversarial Nations under a
former adversarial Nations under a
former adversarial Nations under a common vision to extend
common vision to extend
common vision to extend the capability of humans and a desire to
the capability of humans and a desire to
the capability of humans and a desire to increase hope for Humanity and to
increase hope for Humanity and to
increase hope for Humanity and to inspire the population to pursue
inspire the population to pursue
inspire the population to pursue audacious dreams International Space
audacious dreams International Space
audacious dreams International Space Station program has demonstrated that
Station program has demonstrated that
Station program has demonstrated that the visions that unite us are more
the visions that unite us are more
the visions that unite us are more important than the things that divide us
important than the things that divide us
important than the things that divide us that we can overcome economic political
that we can overcome economic political
that we can overcome economic political social cultural barriers to extend the
social cultural barriers to extend the
social cultural barriers to extend the reach of humanity and that exploration
reach of humanity and that exploration
reach of humanity and that exploration is important it’s critical that Earth is
is important it’s critical that Earth is
is important it’s critical that Earth is no more than a cradle for Humanity and
no more than a cradle for Humanity and
no more than a cradle for Humanity and that one day civilization will migrate
that one day civilization will migrate
that one day civilization will migrate out to interstellar destinations I
out to interstellar destinations I
out to interstellar destinations I believe that the legacy the enduring
believe that the legacy the enduring
believe that the legacy the enduring legacy of the ISS is going to be the
legacy of the ISS is going to be the
legacy of the ISS is going to be the international partnership the blue
international partnership the blue
international partnership the blue marble is a photograph an iconic
marble is a photograph an iconic
marble is a photograph an iconic photograph that was taken by the last
photograph that was taken by the last
photograph that was taken by the last crew of the Apollo mission series as
crew of the Apollo mission series as
crew of the Apollo mission series as they were venturing from earth to the
they were venturing from earth to the
they were venturing from earth to the moon back in the 1970s its iconic
moon back in the 1970s its iconic
moon back in the 1970s its iconic because it caused a consciousness shift
because it caused a consciousness shift
because it caused a consciousness shift in society for the first time ever we
in society for the first time ever we
in society for the first time ever we began to think about our planet as a
began to think about our planet as a
began to think about our planet as a precious blue planet in the setting of
precious blue planet in the setting of
precious blue planet in the setting of this Dark Void of of the universe well
this Dark Void of of the universe well
this Dark Void of of the universe well the blue marble photo was also important
the blue marble photo was also important
the blue marble photo was also important because it helped to create a term that
because it helped to create a term that
because it helped to create a term that we call the overview effect the term the
we call the overview effect the term the
we call the overview effect the term the overview effect is used by astronauts
overview effect is used by astronauts
overview effect is used by astronauts and by others to describe the spiritual
and by others to describe the spiritual
and by others to describe the spiritual feeling that comes over you when you
feeling that comes over you when you
feeling that comes over you when you look down and you see the planet Earth
look down and you see the planet Earth
look down and you see the planet Earth that we’re all connected and that we’re
that we’re all connected and that we’re
that we’re all connected and that we’re all one and that three International
all one and that three International
all one and that three International Cooperation we can do things that we
Cooperation we can do things that we
Cooperation we can do things that we can’t do alone let me show you one more
can’t do alone let me show you one more
can’t do alone let me show you one more photo that made a similar impact on me
photo that made a similar impact on me
photo that made a similar impact on me earlier this summer we witnessed the end
earlier this summer we witnessed the end
earlier this summer we witnessed the end of the scientific mission of the Cassini
of the scientific mission of the Cassini
of the scientific mission of the Cassini space probe and over 13 years
space probe and over 13 years
space probe and over 13 years Cassini took 450,000 images of Saturn of
Cassini took 450,000 images of Saturn of
Cassini took 450,000 images of Saturn of its rings and of its moons as well but
its rings and of its moons as well but
its rings and of its moons as well but my favorite Cassini photo is not of the
my favorite Cassini photo is not of the
my favorite Cassini photo is not of the Rings it’s not of the moon my favorite
Rings it’s not of the moon my favorite
Rings it’s not of the moon my favorite Cassini photo is of Earth
Cassini photo is of Earth
Cassini photo is of Earth so three years ago when Cassini was on
so three years ago when Cassini was on
so three years ago when Cassini was on the backside of the ring planet it
the backside of the ring planet it
the backside of the ring planet it turned its cameras inward and image the
turned its cameras inward and image the
turned its cameras inward and image the inner solar system earth is in this
inner solar system earth is in this
inner solar system earth is in this field of view do you see it there we are
field of view do you see it there we are
field of view do you see it there we are hidden in the rings of Saturn and as a
hidden in the rings of Saturn and as a
hidden in the rings of Saturn and as a late astronomer Carl Sagan said Earth
late astronomer Carl Sagan said Earth
late astronomer Carl Sagan said Earth viewed from afar
viewed from afar
viewed from afar is a pale blue dot doesn’t this image
is a pale blue dot doesn’t this image
is a pale blue dot doesn’t this image make you feel tiny doesn’t it make you
make you feel tiny doesn’t it make you
make you feel tiny doesn’t it make you feel alone doesn’t it make you feel
feel alone doesn’t it make you feel
feel alone doesn’t it make you feel vulnerable Earth is alone for hundreds
vulnerable Earth is alone for hundreds
vulnerable Earth is alone for hundreds of billions of kilometers surrounded by
of billions of kilometers surrounded by
of billions of kilometers surrounded by nothing but the void of space within our
nothing but the void of space within our
nothing but the void of space within our solar system where the solitary oasis of
solar system where the solitary oasis of
solar system where the solitary oasis of intelligent life and like dr. Sagan when
intelligent life and like dr. Sagan when
intelligent life and like dr. Sagan when I look at this image I can contemplate
I look at this image I can contemplate
I look at this image I can contemplate that all of human history everything
that all of human history everything
that all of human history everything that humans have ever learned everything
that humans have ever learned everything
that humans have ever learned everything that we’ve experienced everything that
that we’ve experienced everything that
that we’ve experienced everything that we will know everyone whom I’ve ever
we will know everyone whom I’ve ever
we will know everyone whom I’ve ever loved is on that isolated dot they are
loved is on that isolated dot they are
loved is on that isolated dot they are and it makes me more diligent in trying
and it makes me more diligent in trying
and it makes me more diligent in trying to preserve our existence you know I
to preserve our existence you know I
to preserve our existence you know I think that a hundred years from now
think that a hundred years from now
think that a hundred years from now humanity will still exist but a thousand
humanity will still exist but a thousand
humanity will still exist but a thousand years from now on our current trajectory
years from now on our current trajectory
years from now on our current trajectory in our present mindset I wouldn’t bet on
in our present mindset I wouldn’t bet on
in our present mindset I wouldn’t bet on it some of the recent rhetoric and the
it some of the recent rhetoric and the
it some of the recent rhetoric and the posturing between nations worries me
posturing between nations worries me
posturing between nations worries me when you consider the snail-paced
when you consider the snail-paced
when you consider the snail-paced progress of humanity over the last
progress of humanity over the last
progress of humanity over the last millennia at great cost an effort
millennia at great cost an effort
millennia at great cost an effort wouldn’t it be foolish
wouldn’t it be foolish
wouldn’t it be foolish wouldn’t it be irresponsible wouldn’t be
wouldn’t it be irresponsible wouldn’t be
wouldn’t it be irresponsible wouldn’t be the ultimate calamity if we ceased to
the ultimate calamity if we ceased to
the ultimate calamity if we ceased to exist at our own hands you know I hope
exist at our own hands you know I hope
exist at our own hands you know I hope that in the coming decades we will
that in the coming decades we will
that in the coming decades we will discover life elsewhere you know in our
discover life elsewhere you know in our
discover life elsewhere you know in our in our galaxy that would be mind-blowing
in our galaxy that would be mind-blowing
in our galaxy that would be mind-blowing that’d be awesome that’d be exciting it
that’d be awesome that’d be exciting it
that’d be awesome that’d be exciting it would be the news event of the 21st
would be the news event of the 21st
would be the news event of the 21st century but it could be that we’re alone
century but it could be that we’re alone
century but it could be that we’re alone it could be that we’re it the only
it could be that we’re it the only
it could be that we’re it the only intelligent life in the universe
well anyways my wife was right of course
well anyways my wife was right of course I never turned back from spaceflight and
I never turned back from spaceflight and
I never turned back from spaceflight and my perspectives and my priorities have
my perspectives and my priorities have
my perspectives and my priorities have certainly been influenced by what my
certainly been influenced by what my
certainly been influenced by what my experience is what’s important to me
experience is what’s important to me
experience is what’s important to me today is not illegal immigration it’s
today is not illegal immigration it’s
today is not illegal immigration it’s not the travel expense claims of
not the travel expense claims of
not the travel expense claims of Senators it’s not the affairs of the
Senators it’s not the affairs of the
Senators it’s not the affairs of the Kardashian family what’s most important
Kardashian family what’s most important
Kardashian family what’s most important to me today
to me today
to me today after having flown in space and looking
after having flown in space and looking
after having flown in space and looking down at the Earth from space is
down at the Earth from space is
down at the Earth from space is overpopulation poverty inequality
overpopulation poverty inequality
overpopulation poverty inequality environmental damage in other words
environmental damage in other words
environmental damage in other words survival survival of humanity survival
survival survival of humanity survival
survival survival of humanity survival of our of nature that’s what I call
of our of nature that’s what I call
of our of nature that’s what I call signal much of the rest is noise you
signal much of the rest is noise you
signal much of the rest is noise you know I don’t think I’m a better person
know I don’t think I’m a better person
know I don’t think I’m a better person because I’ve flown in space but I think
because I’ve flown in space but I think
because I’ve flown in space but I think I am different my wife in fact will
I am different my wife in fact will
I am different my wife in fact will argue that I’m more difficult to live
argue that I’m more difficult to live
argue that I’m more difficult to live with she says that with my head up there
with she says that with my head up there
with she says that with my head up there beyond the clouds that it’s more
beyond the clouds that it’s more
beyond the clouds that it’s more difficult to engage me in some of the
difficult to engage me in some of the
difficult to engage me in some of the practical important affairs of our of
practical important affairs of our of
practical important affairs of our of our household from the dawn of the Space
our household from the dawn of the Space
our household from the dawn of the Space Age a half century ago filled me with
Age a half century ago filled me with
Age a half century ago filled me with Wonder filled me with promise humanity
Wonder filled me with promise humanity
Wonder filled me with promise humanity was gonna boldly go where we had never
was gonna boldly go where we had never
was gonna boldly go where we had never gone before you know exploration is a
gone before you know exploration is a
gone before you know exploration is a way of raising our thoughts from
way of raising our thoughts from
way of raising our thoughts from parochial egocentric issues of the
parochial egocentric issues of the
parochial egocentric issues of the big-picture long-term global goals it’s
big-picture long-term global goals it’s
big-picture long-term global goals it’s ironic you know we go out into space we
ironic you know we go out into space we
ironic you know we go out into space we venture out into space in order to learn
venture out into space in order to learn
venture out into space in order to learn about what’s out there but much of what
about what’s out there but much of what
about what’s out there but much of what we learn is about our home planet and
we learn is about our home planet and
we learn is about our home planet and about ourselves I think every human
about ourselves I think every human
about ourselves I think every human being every decision-maker
being every decision-maker
being every decision-maker we benefit from this orbital perspective
we benefit from this orbital perspective
we benefit from this orbital perspective thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment