The World's Best and Brightest

Here's a short one.

I have the great privalege of working at Marshall Space Flight Center, one of the NASA centers most inimately involved in the current and future manned space flight programs. One side effect of living and working so closely with so many people who are so invested gives me an interesting vantage point. The Space Shuttle Transportation System is the most complicated machine ever built by man. It takes thousands and thousands of people giving of themsevles to keep these machines working perfectly. The visible point of these people include the corps of Astronauts, made up of our nations best and brightest: scientists, engineers, soldiers, and even high school teachers (keep an eye on STS-118 launching in August!). On Friay, June 22nd, the space shuttle Atlantis touched down safely at Edwards Air Force Base in California, brining an end to the very successful 14 day STS-117 mission. So who cares? Besides me that is.

Every morning of a shuttle mission, a special song is played for one of the members of the crew. The morning of flight day 11 was "Reedemer" by Nicole C. Mullen, selected for Pat Forester by his family. Pat Forester is an astronaut. Pat Forester is a Christian.

The crew took up a new space station expedition member and brought home Suni Williams, who first joined the space station crew in December. She now holds both the female endurance record in space, the first person to run the Boston Marathon from space, and also the female record for most hours in space walk. During her stay on station she wore a necklace which could be seen floating about her. It's medalian? A cross. Suni Williams is an astronaut. Suni Williams is a Christian.


I don't really think this needs any more explination. These are just two stories of many of the members of the Astronaut Corps, made up of the very best and brightest our nation has to offer. The majority of them are active Christians. What does this mean? I think it speaks volumes.


Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
and Who told the ocean you can only come this far?
and Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives yeah

The very same God that spins things in orbit
runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry

I know my Redeemer, He lives

To take away my shame
And He lives forever, I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive and
There's an empty grave

And I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer,

I know my Redeemer
I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
I know that I know that I know that I know that I know my redeemer lives
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
I Know I know
He lives He lives yeah yeah I spoke with him this morning
He lives He lives, the tomb is empty,
He lives I gotta tell everybody

~AndyJams~