| Nothing was wiser and more visionary for the Egyptians than to consider the Sun as the “Great God” or the Master of the Heavens and, in association with Amon, as the Master of the Universe. Indeed the Sun was for a long time considered to be the centre of the Universe and only recently was it considered to be just only one average star among the 100 billions stars which form our galaxy. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the Sun is indeed the Master of the Solar System and, as such, of our own planet, the Earth.
It is therefore quite natural that the Sun has been the centre of interest of the pioneers of space research who launched the first rockets and artificial satellites to decipher the mysteries of the most famous, most visible of the stars in the sky. Nearly fifty years after the humans sent the first artificial satellite in orbit around their own planet, space has become an indispensable element of research discovery and also management of our planet and our own future. Astronomical satellites look further and further away in distance, and further and further away in the past of the Universe. Planetary probes explore the planets of the Sun one by one with increasing precision as well as the Sun itself. And our own planet, its continents, its oceans, its atmosphere and its resources are permanently observed and monitored providing the most precious information we need to continue living thereon.
Space has revolutionized our vision of the Universe and our ways of living: it is an indispensable strategic asset. Exploring and using space offers one of the richest and most powerful tools to secure the future of our civilizations. It deepens and expands our knowledge for the benefit of Humankind. Some 3500 years after the first pyramids were erected here, we are now building our modern pyramids in space.
|
