Science meets song

Shake, shake, shake . . .
Beamer shook, Sunni shook. Seventeen became eleven. It was not enough, however.
Hanging on for dear life - from our point of view, at least - the adventurous astronauts gave it their best. They and all the others involved in the might effort were able to get the solar array size down to only 11 bays exposed, the best to date. They will try again later to assist; there seems no substitute for human ideas, eyes and hands. NASA will conduct a fourth Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) on another day, with the goal of a complete retract of the old solar array.
Because the two space-walkers needed daylight to see and work, the effort carried across a period of space night. The two took advantage of their down time to "sight see" the earth below - Sunni for her first, Beamer for his "umpteenth." During the brief 30+ minute "night," they flew at 18,000+ mph over Baja California, Arizona, Chicago, Iceland, the Atlantic, Africa, etc. Bill inside gave them words about where they were. Silence. Then with a practiced eye, "there's Chicago," said Beamer. More silence. The partners took care not to interrupt the other's unique opportunity for their unprecidented adventure. Quietly, almost with awe, Beamer introduced Sunni to the arctic winter experience. "And there's the aurora." More silence as the earth flew below.
The instant sunrise, and back to work. Shake, shake, shake. At the end the ground played the old song by KC and the Sunshine Band in honor of their efforts.
NASA is a very inventive agency. They have invented a whole new living environment called "international space." The intention is scientific, cooperative and peaceful. The goal is to go beyond. The journey is fun. The journey is vicariously awesome! Thanks Beamer and Sunni for taking us along on your ride.
My topical post today at South by Southwest is about Congress.
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Myth is the public dream, and dream is the private myth. - Joseph Campbell