Considering the first allfemale space walk

We, as a country, have been in space for more than 60 years. We’ve sent machines, monkeys, and men to space and entrusted each to gather important information about the universe to further human knowledge. But for the first time since we first launched a man into the dark expanse in 1961, this month we saw an allfemale spacewalk, marking the beginning of our true preparedness for the beyond.

To embrace space travel, you must also embrace the value of the diversity of Earth. You must be able to see how men and women alike, and people of all races, are made equal in the safety of atmosphere and oxygen before you can hope to traverse the uncertainty of space. Principles like these are woven into the outreach of the Astronomical Society of New Haven (ASNH), an organization that has been serving southern Connecticut for more than 80 years.

“Women have been withheld from doing stuff like this for a long time,” said Greg Barker, President of the ASNH. “In reality, they can do everything the guys can do. Space is pretty good in that way. You don’t have to be physically stronger than another person, everything is weightless so it’s an equal playing field.”

As an amateur astronomer with an oddly specific interest in astrophysics, I often consider the implications of our inability to see similarities in folks for really we aren’t too different. In that, I find it curious at best and damaging at worst to proclaim any assertion to progress past our atmosphere on to Mars while simultaneously planning for walls that separate and alienate us.

This month as astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir took on the task of performing the firstever allfemale spacewalk, I confronted whether I should be excited, or… dissatisfied.

On the one hand, I know that organizations like the ASNH are diligently working to ensure that a consistent love of space is coupled with a persistent valuation of skill and diversity — and that’s good. We need more of that. On the other hand, I grow increasingly concerned with our inability to practice those ideals from the safety of Earth.

When it comes to space travel, Barker said, “You have to have everyone involved in it no matter who or what they are. Everyone has their place in this universe, and they need to be able to contribute it.”

With regard to our contribution, there have been 339 Americans to space, which accounts for more than 60 percent of the world's astronauts. Of that number, fewer than 20 have been black, fewer than 15 have been Latinx, and exactly 40 have been women. Without even accounting for the various other types of ethnic groups, a clear pattern emerges in which it’s easy to assume space has been lacking in inclusion.

But is that important? You’ll find it hard to convince me that diversity in anything isn’t helpful. You’ll find it harder to convince me that when push comes to shove — and a shove could be the difference between life and death — having a team with a diversity of insight and skills isn’t the most ideal scenario.

That is, in part, the value of local organizations working to ensure that anyone interested in astronomy has the tools, resources, support, and community to do so. Organizations like ASNH are a muchneeded first step to ensuring an entire class of amateur astronomers can progress toward careers that will propel them to the stars. According to Barker, his organization is typically most attendee’s first introduction to the night sky — from there, the interest to continue with the hobby and potentially the career in part relies on how much support you have to persist.

The organization regularly engages a group of Girl Scouts who, in addition to learning about the stars, are eager to have a handson experience with the telescopes and other stargazing equipment. With this group, he said, the most rewarding part is seeing their excitement after seeing the rings of Saturn. The most disheartening, though, is watching their interest wane over time.

“If we get one out of every group to do something with space science or science in general, that’s a plus in our favor,” he said. “Really, I don’t know why their interest wanes after the years or if there’s some other factor for why they’re not pursuing it. But the opportunity is there and there’s nothing stopping them.”

I’m eager to see the future of this country ensure that girls and kids from diverse backgrounds have equal opportunity and support to pursue space science because, in the grand scheme of things, the sky is too limiting for what’s possible for us.

As an amateur astronomer with an oddly specific interest in astrophysics, I often consider the implications of our inability to see similarities in folks for really we aren’t too different.

NASA / Associated Press In this photo released by NASA on Oct. 18, U.S. astronauts Jessica Meir, left, and Christina Koch pose for a photo in the International Space Station. The astronauts who took part in the first allfemale spacewalk are still uplifted by all the excitement down on Earth. Meir said Oct. 21 that when she floated outside, she wasn’t thinking about whether she was going out with a man or woman because everyone is held to the same standard. Nonetheless, she says it was extra special being accompanied by Koch, a close friend.

In this photo provided by NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir exit the International Space Station on Oct. 18.