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Out in space, 230 kilometers off planet earth'
surface, the german astronaut Gerhard Thiele unveils his thoughts
about life on earth. During his exhausting mission on board of spaceshuttle
'Endeavour' he gets to know his very own restrictions.
At a speed of approximately 28.000 kilometers an hour Thiele moves
in space - every 90 minutes a sunset, just twenty minutes from Namibia
over to the indian Ocean next to Australia.
"Daily life on board the shuttle is strict to the watch, not
depending on the sun" he tells in an interview on the wireless.
But in spite of the distance he never felt so close to the people
as he does up there. "If I look down, I'm asking myself, what
do these people think of, what are their dreams." When asked
whether his attitude will change, having this unique perspective,
he says: "Looking at planet earth from up here you won't see
any borders. So why is it that people have all this borders in their
minds, and can't step out."
"Up here, aboard the shuttle, everything is very simple. If
I want to relax, I just place myself under the ceiling, and the
others will know that I need some time out." The 46 year old
physicist praises his team mates and he admits that for his personal
feeling, there is no urge to return to earth too soon.
(translated from a publishing in 'der Spiegel' in 1999 -
tx.)
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