ing a complete
vacuum, space is relatively full of matter and energy. Hydrogen gas,
radiation belts, cosmic particles, solar disturbances of unknown nature,
micrometeorites--and, from Pioneer V, proof of a 5-million ampere
electromagnetic ring centered about 40,000 miles away.[82] The director
of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Laboratory in Cambridge, Mass.,[83] has
said that more and more startling astrophysical information was gathered
during the first few weeks of the space age than had been accumulated in
the preceding century.

In brief, it is becoming the vogue in science to refuse to say
"impossible" to anything. On the contrary, the watchword for tomorrow is
shaping up as "take _nothing_ for granted."

FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT LIFE

Everything learned from space exploration thus far indicates that the
knowledge lying in wait for those who manage to observe the universe
from outside Earth's atmosphere will be far grander than anything
uncovered to date.

We may finally learn the origin of our universe and the method of its
functioning. A good part of this knowledge may be no farther away than
the next 3 to 5 years. Satellite telescopes now under construction are
expected to elicit far more information than even the 200-inch giant at
Mount Palomar. One such observatory satellite, to be launched in 1963 or
before, "will permit a telescope of about 10 feet in length to point at
heavenly bodies within a tenth of a second of arc for periods up to an
hour. Present plans call for an orbit between 400 and 500 miles, as a
lifetime of at least 6 months is required to observe the entire
celestial field."[84]

Perhaps, and sooner than we think, we shall find a clue to the destiny
of all intelligent life.

Perhaps the theory advanced by a noted eastern astronomer will turn out
to be true--that biological evolution on the habitable planets of the
universe may be the result of contamination left by space travelers
arriving from (and leaving for) other worlds. In other words, the
fruition of life on the various planets of the millions of solar systems
might be the product of a wandering group of astronautic Johnny
Appleseeds who leave the grains of life behind them. "Space travel
between galaxies has to be possible for this, but of course this needs
to be only quite a rare event. In a time of about 3.3 billion years, the
most advanced form of life occurring in a galaxy must be able to reach a
neighboring one."[85]