The Universe, Earth, and Us

There are unforgettable moments in the lives of all people. For each one, they are different. Without a doubt, in the life of an astronaut, it is seeing Earth for the first time from outside of it, from above and in weightlessness, floating in a spaceship and seeing the curved horizon ahead and the Sun against a black background. This experience was lived by astronaut Pedro Duque that first time, a key moment in his professional career. Something he recounts and shares in the "Horizons" conferences organized by the "la Caixa" Social Project in collaboration with the "la Caixa" Scholars Association.

«It changes you a lot to meet so many interesting people and travel to different countries. Space exploration has absolutely changed us; the mentality of all the people who live here changed with the first photo taken by the astronauts who were going to the Moon and in which the entire Earth was seen», says the astronaut in this interview by ALMA. It doesn't just change them, it changes everyone who reads, visualizes, and follows these excursions into space. Since then, there has been more ecological awareness and technology has advanced a lot. Investment in aerospace projects is profitable since the technologies developed have an impact on society and other sectors, making them more competitive and generating better jobs.

But, if we go further, these advances also have a direct effect in terms of equality. «When technologies improve, more people have access to them», Duque maintains. The aerospace industry has contributed to the development of recycling technologies and clean energy. The advances that have been required to go into space also have their place here on Earth.

And about science fiction? Will it become reality? What is expected in the coming years? Discover life on other planets? It is something that also depends on technological advances and the investment allocated. Exploring is always necessary, seeing what is out there and answering questions like where we come from or if there is life elsewhere in the universe. Exploring is something inherent to human beings.

With references like Gagarin, Armstrong, Glenn, or Leonov, Duque eagerly awaits his next trip since the last one he made fifteen years ago.

You can read the full news story in ALMA, the social social network, a new digital space dedicated to the social sphere that brings a new perspective to the present and future of society, based on an optimistic and diverse voice and all the stories promoted by "la Caixa" Social Project.