Second Birth
Many in Russia refer to the time when Cosmonauts are pulled out of the capsule as a Second Birth… Being there, now I knew why! In my last part of the story, I left you hanging in the Soyuz. So, let’s start from there…
The hatch opened and a breath of fresh air took over the smell of burnt wire. I felt like I was hanging from the ceiling and had a hard time raising my head high enough to see who was at the hatch. The hatch door was also blocking the view…
Finally I was able to stretch enough to see out. I recognized the face of one of the rescue team members who was trying to prepare us for the exit. He was the same person who assisted me in my Black Sea survival training. I could hear words of joy and congratulation in Russian… Pavel was responding to them and laughing… there were people with video cameras and mobile phones snapping pictures. I felt like something that was trapped and the captor was taking picture of his catch before releasing it.
First we were handed some hard covers that we were supposed to put over the panels in front of us. Then they started getting Pavel released from his straps. We had tightened our straps so much that it was impossible to properly open them in the position we were in now.
The Search and Rescue (SAR) team member took out a knife and started cutting out Pavel’s knee straps first and reached in to unbuckle his belt. Then two of them reached in and pulled him out.
Being in space for six months does a trick on your body. Your muscles get so lazy that they have a big shock dealing with your weight back on Earth… I also experienced the same effects but mine, I suppose, were milder than what Jeff and Pavel were feeling. Your body is so weak upon return to gravity that it is almost impossible for you to crawl out by yourself…
Next it was my turn… After a few moments of hanging there and just taking a few breaths of fresh air, the same guy returned and started cutting out my straps. This was a little more challenging for him since I was in the right seat and because of the way the capsule landed, I was up higher than the rest of the crew. He finally stretched his torso so much that he could reach over the hatch and cut my knee straps and unbuckle me.
Then he tried to pull me out and I got stuck on the communication hand stick in front… It was hot in the capsule and we were all sweating. I felt heavy and moving was a big challenge. Finally I was able to unhook myself and he pulled me out.
They wrapped me in a blanket and two people carried me to a beach chair… someone came over and handed me a beautiful bouquet of Roses and told me that it was from the Search and Rescue team. There were cameras everywhere and they were continuously snapping pictures.
Before descent, Jeff reminded me to make sure I moved slowly upon landing and to keep my head steady… This helps with the vestibular system’s readjustment to gravity. I followed his instruction and made sure that I did not make any sudden movements. The head of the Training Center handed me an apple that looked appetizing but as soon as I started to take a bite someone from the medical team started shaking his head telling me not to eat it… I guess he was worried that it would make me feel sick. I waited a while but the apple looked too good to give up so I started taking small bites.
Jeff was the last one to be pulled out of the capsule. We all sat there in our beach chairs for a while, thinking about the realities of being back on Earth.
The sun was slowly rising and I enjoyed feeling the warmth of its rays on my face. The morning air was fresh and crisp… I took a deep breath in and it filled my lungs with the energy… I closed my eyes for a second and tried to remember what it was like on the station… I could feel myself floating next to my bedroom window on the station and seeing the Earth slowly going by… I had a big smile on my face and wanted to just stay in that moment forever.
Someone called out my name “Anousheh, Anousheh…” I opened my eyes. It was one of the reporters… How does it feel to be back? I said “Great! I missed my family and I’m excited to see them.”
In reality I was happy to be back and to see my family but I had left my heart on the station. I kept trying to close my eyes again and pretended that I was back up there, where it was safe… where it was free… But I kept getting interrupted by reporters and photographers… I didn’t want to forget that peaceful image and I was afraid that if I don’t try to capture it in my memory now, that it would be gone forever… But I kept getting interrupted…
I looked over to Jeff and Pavel… They were happy and smiling. They looked really pale. The gravity was taking its toll on them. All the blood was draining down into their feet, leaving their faces white as ghosts. This is just one of the things Astronauts and Cosmonauts have to get used to upon their return.
The heart goes on vacation in Zero-G. The blood flows into your head and satisfies your brain that your body is well fed so your heart doesn’t work as hard. Back here on Earth the gravity keeps pulling the blood down to your feet and the heart has to work hard to pump it up to your head.
That is one of the reasons why, when they return to Earth, they feel lightheaded. Pavel was smiling and answering the reporters and Jeff was on the Sat phone talking to his wife back in Star City. The sun was up now and the helicopters carrying the medical team and the reporters kept on arriving… I was looking around to see my flight surgeon. She was supposed to be there. I was told Hamid would be waiting for me in Astana, where the helicopters would take us to catch a flight back to Star City.
The heat from being in the capsule was subsiding and it was starting to feel chilly. I wrapped myself tighter in the blanket and continued searching the crowd with my eyes, keeping my head really still. All of sudden I heard a familiar voice from behind. “Salam… man omoudam!” It was Hamid saying he was there… right behind me… I was so happy to hear his voice… I called out to him “Hamid… Hamid…” I wanted to say “Hamid Hamid come and take me away… away to someplace safe… away from it all.”
Even though I was not supposed to move my head, I looked up and saw him bending over my head… My heart filled with joy and I started crying as I was trying to free my hand from the inside of the blanket and reach up and touch his face…
His face was wet with tears as well and he kissed my face and said “Bargashti! you returned!” I said “I did… I missed you.” I didn’t want to let him go. I felt safe again with him covering my face and feeling his warm cheeks next to mine. I wanted to disappear with him and tell him what a wonderful experience I had and explain every second of it in detail…
But my life here on Earth was not mine anymore and I couldn’t just do what I wanted to… He moved over and sat next to me… I held on to his hand and didn’t want to let go…
They started to move us to the medical tent to take off our space suits and to prepare us for the helicopter ride to Astana. Two guys lifted my chair and started walking toward the tent. I felt like an elephant and felt bad for the poor guys who had to carry me… I kept saying “I’m so heavy!”
They took me to the tent and put my chair down next to a bed. I started getting up to move over to the bed but I got my first surprise! I was pushing down against the chair to get up but I was not going anywhere… I felt like I was strapped down. I sat back down in my chair. It was a strange feeling… Maybe that’s how it feels to be paralyzed. Your head tells you you can do it but your body refuses… Everyone kept asking me “How do you feel… Are you OK?” and I kept responding “I’m so heavy!”
Couple of guys lifted me and laid me on the bed and the doctors and nurses went to work. They had set up a private area for me and had two lady nurses taking care of me. They took off my suit and helped me change into a pair of clean long johns and my flight suit. It was a huge challenge to move. My body felt like lead… It was frustrating… I had to be helped like a baby to dress. They checked my blood pressure and did a quick EKG. Everything looked good. My body felt tired… I noticed some bruises on my legs when they where helping me change. I didn’t have any pain but I felt like I was sinking into the Earth… Hamid called my Mom and sister on the phone and I was able to talk to them. Finally we were cleaned up and ready to fly to Star City…
They asked me to sit up and as soon as I did I felt like I was going to fall down… I had a hard time keeping myself balanced. I laid back down and waited a little longer. Then I sat up again and asked to just sit for a while to get used to this strange feeling of being in gravity… After a few minutes, I tried to stand up with help from my flight surgeon and Hamid. It was hard getting up — I felt REALLY REALLY HEAVY! I stood up in place for a few minutes to get my bearings…
Then, as they were holding my hands, I tried to take my first step… I tried to lift my foot but nothing happened… It was like it was glued to the floor… I tried again and this time with more force, my foot started lifting in slow motion and moved forward just a little bit. I tried moving my other foot and same thing… I felt like I was wearing one of those old brass diving suits, you know the kind they used in the Jules Verne movies… It felt totally strange!
Now I knew why they call it a Second Birth… First you are pulled out of a capsule just like you are pulled out of your mother’s womb, you are then cleaned and need to be taught how to walk again… I don’t remember my birth, but it must have felt just as strange…
Slowly and with a lot of difficulty I walked to a car that took me to the helicopter. They helped me get onboard and laid me back down on the seat. Before they closed the door, Hamid said “here is the capsule!” I had not seen the capsule after landing… I lifted my head slowly and stretched my neck and watched the burnt black capsule in the distance…
It was hard to believe that we had returned to Earth in that capsule… It was so small… but it had protected us from burning in the atmosphere and from the impact of hitting the ground… It was my shield and I felt sad seeing it out there at the end of its life… It had performed well, carried Marcos Pontes, Pavel Vinogradov, and Jeffrey Williams safely to the station and had carried us back, with me instead of Marcos, to Earth.
It was the end… the end for this capsule and the end for my amazing and wonderful journey to my dream land. This was THE END of this chapter of my life…
Wow! That sounds so amazing. Thank you for sharing and for sharing the human side of it all.
Comment by Doris — October 5, 2006 @ 5:07 pm
Beautiful,
Happy your second birth very dear Anousheh…
Thanks for writing.
Take care
Comment by Nazila — October 5, 2006 @ 5:16 pm
Thank You so much !!!! I feel like I was there with you
Comment by antonio, CA. — October 5, 2006 @ 5:19 pm
Dearest Anousheh,
It was NOT the end. It is only the beginning…for you, for me, for all of us. Thank you for taking the steps others will not.
James
Comment by James Dunn — October 5, 2006 @ 5:21 pm
Hi Anousheh,
Thank you very much for sharing your experiences in spacetravel. Must feel a bit awkward, telling all this to the entire world… I am glad you did though, I enjoyed every part of it! The chances of me being able to go to space are not too big, but from your story I got a pretty accurate idea of how it must be - and how it must feel.
It’s like I mentioned earlier - when the trip is over, all that remains are just memories. But somehow I get the feeling that we will see you up in space again, one way or another.
I wish you good luck pursuing your dreams, as I will be doing mine. I think you’re a hell of a lady, people can take you as an example! Don’t let anybody get you under!
I hate saying goodbye. I hope we will hear from you again some time. Take care!
Love and greetings,
Rene.
Comment by Rene Marinus — October 5, 2006 @ 5:30 pm
Dear Anousheh,
What a wonderful story. When you were getting to the station, you told us about the “smell of space” and you indicated that it smelled something like burnt almond cookies. Ofcourse right after you said that many non-Iranians (reporters and bloggers) were puzzled by that comment but for those who were raised in Iran, it was a very tangible description. It’s a traditional candy made of sugar coated fried almonds (I am not actually sure how it’s actually made).
What about the smell of Earth? when they opened the hatch, what did Earth smell like?
Thanks again for finishing this wonderful story. Your amazingly vivid writing style is a breath of fresh air for your readers.
Comment by Tourang — October 5, 2006 @ 5:31 pm
Welcome back Anousheh!
You did a great job telling your story from begining to end. That last part was like (for those who remember the 1960’s or Cheech and Chong) really heavy, man.
So your heart didn’t make it back. And they had to cut you loose and drag you away from the spacecraft. And they had to find your hiding spot on the ISS to put you in it in the first place.
Soounds like you found your calling. We will see and hear you up in the heavens again. Soon.
Thanks for everything you have done, both on earth and in space. May your light always shine bright.
Joe LePage Florida,USA
Comment by Joe LePage — October 5, 2006 @ 5:32 pm
Anoushe Joon,
Magnificent!!! I felt like, i was being born while reading your experience!!!! U R amazing.
Lots of luck to you,
Shideh
Comment by Shideh — October 5, 2006 @ 5:34 pm
Wow! That is an amazing description. I have never hear it described quite like that before. Astronauts and Cosmonauts tend to be stoic and never want to admit being weakened from such an adventure. But it truly was a Second Birth! Learning to walk again as if you were in an accident, but in this case you were in outer space!
Recover quickly! I hope to meet you at the X PRIZE Cup!
Samuel Coniglio
Vice President
Space Tourism Society
Comment by Samuel coniglio — October 5, 2006 @ 5:36 pm
Wow, I almost felt like I was sinking in my seat reading your entry. Hope you’re doing fine now.
Comment by Ann — October 5, 2006 @ 5:38 pm
I anxioulsy waited for you return to the blog and it proved to be worth the wait…not that I ever doubted it.
You know, sometimes I think, “I really need to get a life”, but seriously…this has been a lot of fun and inspirational for many. Not the negative stuff, that was annoying. But reading about a part of you and feeling it and the learning was a blast! (Literally) LOL, Get it…4,3,2,1 blast off…never mind…sorry.
A wonderful ending to a wonderful story. Hope this isn’t the “END”, sniff sniff..tears, but if so, your stories and blog will truly be missed.
I will keep an eye out for Prodea Systems. Who knows, maybe a position may open in the Philadelphia Pa area sometime??
God bless you and your family. God bless the people who also contributed to this blog. And thank you Anousheh and Hamid Ansari and all those affiliated with the “journey to dream land” and for the positive contributions you make to our world. And thank you for bloggin!
Your friend,
Pat Freeman
West Chester, PA
Comment by screamin75 — October 5, 2006 @ 5:39 pm
Anousheh:
First God bless your heart!..Thank you so much for continue telling us the wonderful experience you just lived…..I feel like I was there with you all the trip…..it is wonderful how you describe everything in detail….we are so blessed to have you here safe in Earth, sharing this wonderful details.
Thank you, thank you for keep your spirit up, to embrace the love and encourage you can find in this blog from people that even though does not know you personally, feels like you are part of our families…..we care for you….we are so passionated about your trip as you, and that it is because the way you honestly and and without expenting anything share this experience with us.
I hope you continue writing here for a while telling us every details…share with us the taste of the space….what did you see there….can you pointed out any planet? can you tell if the blue color of the planet is as beautiful as the pictures? tell us everything….you were our eyes, ears in space….keep sharing with us…..I will visit your blog hoping find another part of this manificient experience…..
Remember we all dream about space, what is out there, how is the feeling, etc….you are our dreams become reality…..does not matter if I can go or not to space….does not matter if I have or not the money…..going to space it is more than monetay issue….it is COURAGE….BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, SACRIFICE….SEE BEYOND YOUR OWN SELF….PROJECT IN THE FUTURE….RISK….(big one…we can loose you there)all that and more for the vision and understanding….that every journey start with a step….space exploring also is a journey….and you make this journey so palpable so available to all of us….Be courage you are AN AMAZING HUMAN BEING…..God gives you wealth because you have what it takes to wake up all us in SPACE…because you have the courage to do something bigger than just be a wealty business woman. Your fortune is measured in your unselfish given your own self for other to follow your steps to fulfill dreams in space and here in Earth. You are an amazing human being, and amazing woman.God Bless you
Love, Karina
Comment by Karinak kropilnicki — October 5, 2006 @ 5:42 pm
Here’s me once again,
A last question came to my mind when I read how much trouble you had adjusting to gravity after having been only a few days in space. When we send people to Mars, do you think they will be able to participate in any EVA on the Martian surface, lacking the help you received from the SAR-people? Of course, gravity on Mars is less then on Eart, but all the same…
Rene
Comment by Rene Marinus — October 5, 2006 @ 5:46 pm
Hello again Anousheh! What a precious thing it is for you to share with us, those you don’t even know, the intimate and spectacular events from your voyage to space and back. As you mentioned in an earlier posting, your experience someday will make it possible for others to personally experience all that you have on this mission. But for the rest of us, it is a precious gift you have given us to share your emotions and physical reactions to this incredible journey. I watch in awe as much as I can of what our astronauts are doing on their missions but your journal gives us a much more personal experience and for that I am very grateful. I cannot even imagine all that you went through just to prepare for this journey and hopefully someday you will share that and more in a book. And please, Anousheh, you must ignore whatever negative comments are posted. There will always be those who share a different vision but you must follow your heart. So many more are joyous because of your accomplishments. Thank you so much for sharing. I will continue to read….
Comment by Debbie Celiceo — October 5, 2006 @ 5:47 pm
Dear Anousheh ,
Thanks for sharing your nice dream with us .
I want to say you a special congratulation for being
a part of the “Genome 100″ ! wow you are really amazing !
I saw that here :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5404678.stm
***** BARA KHODET ESFAND DOOD KON PLZ ! *****
And I wish you and Hamid be healthy and successful in all
of the aspects of your life.I want to thank Hamid for being
such a husband with this high sight in supporting you with
all of his existence , I proud of him too and he is a real
pattern of a devoted persian husband for all of us(Iranians)and maybe for all of the nationalities !
Hope to hear from your success in next part of your life soon !
Regards,
with best wishes.
Comment by vahid — October 5, 2006 @ 5:58 pm
Amazing!
Comment by Axure — October 5, 2006 @ 6:01 pm
You rule.
Love.
/Avid.
Comment by Avid — October 5, 2006 @ 6:08 pm
My Heart was beating so fast and I kept my breath while you were in the capsule, i was praying , it was very dangerous,the most critical point in this journey.Thanks God.it was like a shooting star…many things could have happend…thanks God !
you looked so tired when you came out of the capsule as if you have brought a Great message for all of us from the above.
we iranians are so proud of you !
God bless you dokhtar !
Comment by Kamyar — October 5, 2006 @ 6:20 pm
Hi Anoushe…fekr kardam aval misham:( baraye hamin ghabl az inke neveshtato bekhoonam oomadam ke comment bezaram ama engar ta alan 19th hastam:P…..ok..faghat inke khosh halam ke baz oomadio neveshty…ehsas mikonam kheili sal hast ke mishnasamet…nemidoonam chera ama bavar kon har rooz neveshtehato mikhoonam az aval va axato negah mikonam…ehsas mikonam manam bahat boodam…vaghean merc ke in hesse ghashango ba hameye ma share kardy…beram bekhoonam neveshtato badan miam ya english ya finglish (mesle alan)barat coment mizaramo nazaramo migam…felan take care
Comment by samaneh — October 5, 2006 @ 6:32 pm
In Dallas, the time of your return was the same as Eftaar. I quickly finished doing my prayers and sat down with my sister and grandmother to watch it on TV.
I was so concentrated to what was happening on TV, that I forgot to break my fast until I saw you eating that apple. Which then raised a question in my head. . . How does it feel to chew and swallow food in space? Does the food float in your mouth and stomach too?!
I would imagine that it would be difficult guiding the food to chew.
Don’t forget. . . the journey is JUST beginning.
Comment by Ateen - Plano, Tx — October 5, 2006 @ 6:34 pm
I had waited until 3 a.m. GMT+2 to see this moment live on NasaTV the day of your landing, and it was frustrating because all we saw was the people surrounding the capsule and we couldn’t see inside. I was even not sure whether any of you were already outside or not. Then the camera moved to where you were sitting, you and Pavel V, and Jeffrey W was quickly here too, and then I can connect the rest of your account to what I saw. But then I couldn’t know what you felt. Now I know thanks to your blog, and it is amazing. We’re in it really, my imagination was never so stimulated by any science fiction I have read. Thank you so much !
Comment by Raphael — October 5, 2006 @ 6:37 pm
Dear Anousheh, Wow, what a fabulous adventure! Thanks a zillion for sharing it so fully and so well. And I hope you can arrange it to go again! All the best, Robin
Comment by Robin Bonner — October 5, 2006 @ 6:39 pm
“They should’ve sent a poet.” - Ellie Arroway, Contact.
I can’t remember if that line was in the book, but I know it was in the movie. I just remembered it while reading your last post.
Anousheh, I think this is what makes you so special to so many of us: You were that poet.
Comment by just someone on the web — October 5, 2006 @ 6:43 pm
Anousheh joon,
Thank you for telling us the details, i almost felt how you felt.
Maybe in the next chapter in your life, you should become a writer! PLEASE DON’T STOP WRITING TO US, I ALREADY MISSED YOUR WRITING.
love
~yana
Comment by yana — October 5, 2006 @ 6:50 pm
Ba har jomle gerye kardam…ehsas mikonam age jaye to boodam deltangy velam nemikard…ehsas mikonam age ye rooz beram faza dige delam nemikhad bargardam…midooni jaee ke hame chiz pure hast hame chiz calm and pure….nemitunam jeloye ashkamo begiram…manam delam oonja ja moonde…ba neveshtehat zendegy kardam…ehsas kradam ke manam raftam oonja va too tamame jaryanat budam…hamasho hess kardam ba tamame vojudam…midoonam ke kollan kheili busy hasty o in rooza ham busy tar az hamishe!…ama dust daram hatta dar hamin hadde weblog bahat dar tamas basham….ama age man ye rooz beram faza…delam mikhad too tariki va sokute delpaziresh mahv besham…roozo roozegaret khosh….
Comment by samaneh — October 5, 2006 @ 6:54 pm
Anousheh you’re great,aweome,amazing,…
Comment by maryam-Tehran — October 5, 2006 @ 6:55 pm
Welcome back, Princess!
I am forever devoted to your spirit and your writings.
Kenneth (Netherlands)
Comment by Kenneth Rellum — October 5, 2006 @ 7:00 pm
Hi again..i read all the last part of your journey…you said that:”…I looked over to Jeff and Pavel… They were happy and smiling. They looked really pale. The gravity was taking its toll on them. All the blood was draining down into their feet, leaving their faces white as ghosts. This is just one of the things Astronauts and Cosmonauts have to get used to upon their return…
The heart goes on vacation in Zero-G. The blood flows into your head and satisfies your brain that your body is well fed so your heart doesn’t work as hard. Back here on Earth the gravity keeps pulling the blood down to your feet and the heart has to work hard to pump it up to your head…”….i think of something by reading these…on the Earth,we need our feet…i mean that we are dependent on our body that is something material and because of the fact that we believe on our physical power,we may think that we can do anything by material solutions…but out of here,in the place that is more pure and spritual(in my opinion) we can understand the power of our spirit and soul…i don`t know if i could transfer my feeling exactly like what it is….but i have a strange feeling…i just know that i don`t wanna stay here…i have to go…i should do something…i feel like i`ve been there in the space with you and i lost part of my feelings and heart there…i can`t hold back my tears…i wish i could go there and i`ll try to do it one day cause i think we are not belonging to the Earth…we belog to somewhere else in the sky..in heaven…oh my god…i`m not good at all…..take care my dear dear dear sister
Comment by samaneh — October 5, 2006 @ 7:10 pm
Welcome back Anousheh
You are amazing, what a nice pictures and video’s and indeed never give up youré dreams.
From the Netherlands
Marianne
Comment by Mariannes — October 5, 2006 @ 7:10 pm
Dear Anousheh,
your description was very beautiful.
Thank you,
Comment by H.F.Z — October 5, 2006 @ 7:12 pm
Hello Anousheh,
Space flights have been a part of our lives for the last 40 yrs. In some ways they feel routine (even boring). This might be largely due to the kind of information we get from the various space agencies and the media. It has a very clinical feel to it. You hear about the latest launch of a Soyuz rocket or the space shuttle. You hear about an operation taking place somewhere in space, and when the astronauts/cosmonauts return you get to hear about their safe return. After a while it looses it’s appeal.
Watching your return on TV was standard media issue - no different from past missions. Then i read your latest Blog entry on the same return coverage i watched on TV. Suddenly i realized what has been missing all these years. We never get the human side of space travel any more ( if we ever did ). Yes we get the usual “you should see the view from up here”, and “it’s great being up here”, but virtually all of them lack emotion - the human element. You read Anousheh’s writing and you really get it. For instance, intellectually we all know your muscles weaken in zero-G, and it takes a while to re-adjust to earths gravity. But the way you described it really gave me a different perspective on it.
Anousheh, you were not the first person in space, nor were you the first private space explorer, but the perspective on space travel that you have provided all of us is what, i think, has made your trip so special to so many people around the world, and i think we all owe you a BIG thank you. THANK YOU ANOUSHEH!
Muinde JK
Dallas TX
Comment by Muinde Kithome — October 5, 2006 @ 7:16 pm
Anousheh jan
kheily matalebe jaleb va zibayee bood
mamnoon
fatemeh
Comment by fatemeh — October 5, 2006 @ 7:21 pm
Anousheh,
Thank you so much for sharing this incredible experience. I have so much respect for you and your family and those from your two countries that have supported you and believed in you through out your journey. This blog has brought us all together to take part in your story and for that we thank you.
I don’t know how to describe how this experience has changed me, but yesterday I laid down to take a nap and I had the most amazing dream of traveling into space. I know this sounds kinda silly, but you know how some times a simple dream holds a weight of significance that you can’t quite describe by words? That’s how this dream was for me. It was almost like I was preparing for something that’s going to happen sooner than I expected - perhaps it was a premonition of one day traveling to space as you have.
In anycase, when I awoke from my dream I felt oddly disturbed that I had to leave my dream behind and face reality. I’m sure in some ways that’s how you must have felt when you landed back on Earth. But I’m comforted by the fact that my dream might one day come true as yours did. You said that you felt as though you left your heart up in space, but I think you brought more heart back to Earth than what you went up with. And I know that some of that heart you have brought back for all of us.
Comment by Jason D. A. - USA — October 5, 2006 @ 7:38 pm
salam
bargashtanetoon ro tabrik migam. omidvaram ke man ham 1 rooz betoonam in arezoo ro tahaghogh bedam. chon man ham hamchin arezooii daram garche kheili pooldar nistam ama az zire darya va asemoon, asemoon ro entekhab mikonam.
hamishe shad bashid.
soroor az sweden
Comment by Soroor — October 5, 2006 @ 7:40 pm
There were three more space tourists before you, but none of them made an impression like you did!
Nice post-landing story!
Comment by Nasser — October 5, 2006 @ 7:45 pm
سلام
تو رو خدا نخندینا…پری شب خوابتون رو دبدم!
از وقتی فهمیدم یه نسبت دوری با شما دارم نمیدونین چقدر خوشحالم!!!!
Comment by تینا تیماج چی — October 5, 2006 @ 7:53 pm
Anounsheh,
Your running commentary was absolutely incredible. Through your words so many of us were “there with you” while on orbit. I want to thank you for all that you told us. I’m so glad you made it back safe and sound with Jeff and Pavel, I was glued to the TV watching, not only the landing but your whole mission. You have not only made us in the States proud, but you have achieved a new stature for you homeland, Iran. Perhaps this will lead to something better between the US and Iran. I ceartainly hope so, I have many friends there.
Congratulations on a safe and successful mission and welcome bach to the good Earth.
Chuck
Comment by Chuck Christian — October 5, 2006 @ 7:53 pm
ma dar iran montazere safare shoma be vatane khodet hastim.
ansari X prize.
x=sur
Comment by parsa eslami — October 5, 2006 @ 8:01 pm
Hi Anousheh from Geoff Weston here in Dunedin New Zealand.
Well, this is great. Now, as you say, we must carry on and not let the flame die.I have been looking for this decription and it is really interesting. I had found lots of the photos of you being pulled out of the capsul, sitting and eating that very green apple etc. And I’d I had of course seen it live on tv. Now I know what your thinking when I look at these again. I suppose this completes the little book I have assembled, so now I will add the photos. Oh and I have made a tribute on my writer website with a montage of photos of your flight from launch to landing. Thank you once again for all these fabulous insights, inspiration, excitement and positive actions.
Cheers- Geoff.
Comment by Geoff Weston — October 5, 2006 @ 8:21 pm
Dear Anousheh,
You touched my heart again with this story. It’s been said over and over, you have the gift of writing down your feelings and observations in such a way that we readers can relive them too. Thanks for sharing!!
As this apparently ends your story here, I say goodbye now and whish you and your family all the best for the future. Take care.
Comment by Wim Holwerda — October 5, 2006 @ 8:22 pm
Salam Anousheh jan,
It is very nice to read your blog:) you wrote as if you are a writer, good for you! I wish i could one day express my feelings like how you do in writing.
great job again and best wishes,
Ali from NY
PS. still dont know why you didnt send a message in Persian when you were in space? I think you are able to speak Farsi, right?
Comment by Ali — October 5, 2006 @ 8:30 pm
Dear Ms. Ansari,
You are an inspiration to me. I am in the 5th Grade and am doing a current event summary on your amazing journey. I am very inspired by your hard work. Did you learn a lot up there? I liked reading your blog about feeling “really heavy” when you came back to Earth.
I think you are a great person.
Love, Nicole
Comment by Nicole H. — October 5, 2006 @ 8:34 pm
So glad you are back to write for us again!!! We missed you. Me, my family, and friends wish you a speedy recovery - please keep us posted as to your progress.
With all our love and positive energy,
Freshteh
Comment by freshteh — October 5, 2006 @ 8:36 pm
Thank you for taking this step for us, for being a pioneer & sharing your beautifull words & thoughts with us. I feel my heart & mind have been in space my whole life & this journey you described, almost seems within reach of the average person. I know one day it shall be and its exciting to know I was alive during the “firsts” for mankind.
Good luck & keep posting your thoughts about this!!
Sincerely
Perry
Comment by Perry — October 5, 2006 @ 9:05 pm
Zdravstvuj Anya!
I live in Baikonur and i heard much about yours travel.
One friend of our family works on a platform and just filled and served that rocket on which you have departed. He even photos showed of that rocket =) (Exclusive it is possible to say
).
Thanks for that that has informed the travel to the sky with many casual people. It causes respect. I too very much would like though time in life to repeat your adventure.
If wants of news from Baikonurs - you can write and ask =)
Good luck in all undertakings and happiness. Good luck in study of Russian language.
We wait you in second time;)
P.S.:Excuse for my mistakes in English
Alexander, Cosmodrom Baikonur, Russia.
Comment by Alexander — October 5, 2006 @ 9:09 pm
Greetings from Finland! I’ve read some of your blog posts and followed your tip to the station and back with great anxiety. When you describe the feeling to see Earth below, I too get very emotional and even shaken. I am sad about the comments on this blog that have made you feel bad. Those people don’t know anything. I think you are a great inspiror to us all. Thanks for writing this blog and sharing your experience with us. We all should have the same courage as you do, and also follow our dreams as you have done. I also think that it’s just great what you do for science with the X Prize Foundation. Keep on rockin’ and stay well!
Comment by Lauri — October 5, 2006 @ 9:19 pm
Annie;
Your descriptions kinda dovetail with a theory I’ve had for awhile now. You miss the sensations of microgravity, and I’ve read that many who have spent time in it also miss it. My theory is rather simple:
We spend our time from conception to birth in a “microgravity” environment, basically a human neutral buoyancy chamber, then we spend the rest of our lives in gravity.
Could the desire for weightlessness be a desire to return to the womb environment?
Hmmm. Perhaps the psychiatrists can puzzle over that one for awhile.
Thanks again for being as descriptive as you’ve been. There are just some things in this universe that can’t be condensed down into an equation.
Comment by Dave Hromanik — October 5, 2006 @ 9:19 pm
I really have to say that it fullfills me when I read your writing of such ability to use words in describing and expressing your thoughts . . . it somewhat amazes me! . . . good Job!
Comment by Bijan Fard — October 5, 2006 @ 9:46 pm
Dear anousheh
When i loose my hope and be frustrated in doing things i read your writhing more and more.
The more and more reading your webpage,the less and less facing difficulties in my life.
Im so eager to hear about the view of the moon and the sun exactly.
Thank you very much for everyhting you prepared for us even manythings you cant consider and distinguish .
Comment by amir khosravi from kermanshah — October 5, 2006 @ 9:58 pm
Exceptional piece of citizen-reporting ! live ! With photos! Videos! Who needs CNN?
Comment by techbee — October 5, 2006 @ 10:01 pm
hi miss ansari i’m so happy since you came back to earth
that’s very good you are the first iranian webt to the speace
you can make me SO SO SO HAPPY if yo visit my weblog
i’m waitting for u
Comment by Alireza — October 5, 2006 @ 10:07 pm
Dear Anousheh,
That must have really been an odd feeling! I can’t even imagine what your 2 other mates, who stayed for 6 months in the station, must have been feeling for their second (or third or more) birth
I’m really glad you decided to post! I understand your sadness to leave the peaceful station to reenter the world and its obligations… plus it’s always hard to turn the page after something that proved to be particularly enjoyable, touching, and life changing.
But, look on the bright side: this is just the beginning of something bigger which you’re a part of!
I’m quite sure you will return to space and make this dream accessible to all!
Be well,
Michael
Paris
Comment by Michael — October 5, 2006 @ 10:20 pm
Now you got me crying.You had a dream and you went and did it.
Comment by Ken — October 5, 2006 @ 11:00 pm
Welcome home Anousheh, Pavel, Jeff and THANK YOU, Thank you for making my life more fascinating than ever before, and thank you for making me more confidend. I am not affraid anymore. I realized that now from this very moment enything is possible, I just have to cach my chance. And who knows, perhabs we’ll meet somewhere, someday, maybe even not on this planet… Live long and prosper my space friends =/\=
Comment by Bartek Kierzkowski (Poland) — October 5, 2006 @ 11:18 pm
Hi Anousheh-
I have loved reading your posts, you are a fabulous writer, such fantastic detailed descriptions of everything. You are truly inspiring to all.
Your posts have answered almost every question I have thought about going to, being in and returning from space. It’s incredible - like you’ve read my mind for years! So, now, a couple more questions still unanswered - what was it really like going to the bathroom in space? Why are you kept in quarantine upon return from space? What do you do while in quarantine? What was it like being the only woman up in space with just men around? Haven’t you been talking at a mile a minute to your husband and family about your experience? I know I wouldn’t be able to stop talking about it if I were you!!
Again, you are incredibly inspiring and I look forward to hearing more about your space travels in the future!!
Take care,
Sarah
Comment by Sarah — October 5, 2006 @ 11:38 pm
http://www.nojum.net/news/articles/228/
Comment by Zari — October 5, 2006 @ 11:43 pm
Thank you …you’ve made dreams come true for a lot of people to me you are lady of the year…take care
Comment by Bo — October 5, 2006 @ 11:48 pm
AMAZING!
Very beautiful description. The second birth; that’s true. Well done Anousheh, You DID IT! Maybe you can collect that capsule and save it for your future museum. You are part of our history so all those parts can be saved somewhere.
Oh, that part which you wanted to be alone with Hamid and you were not for yourself any more, very romantic, fantastic, marvelous!
Anousheh, The last episode was GREAT!
During this chapter your really touched my heard at least 3 times. First, was this part: “5… 4… 3… I’m really going…2…I love you Hamid”; when you launched. Second was when you looked to the earth for the first time from ISS and you felt now you have touched your dream. And you know the third, when you heard from Hamid and you touched his face: “I heard a familiar voice from behind. “Salam… man omoudam!”; I called out to him “Hamid… Hamid…” I wanted to say “Hamid Hamid come and take me away… away to someplace safe… away from it all.””.
And I enjoyed two titles a lot: Hello World and Second Birth.
Anousheh, what can I can say about this chapter is just PERFECT. Thank you sooo much. But please keep writing time to time. About your feelings, our world, our life, your idea about some news,… Just remind us that our world is beautiful, PLEASE.
Wish you , Hamid and your family the best,
Shahram
Comment by Shahram — October 5, 2006 @ 11:51 pm
After 40+ years of space travel, no scientist has been able to describe their space voyage so vividly (?or maybe want to describe their space experience in as much detail for the ordinary person?).
Probably the easy internet and quick accessible blogging has a lot to do with it too…….
Either way, its been a pleasure to read all your descriptions…(waiting for a book)
Comment by iman — October 5, 2006 @ 11:59 pm
Hi! I am very glad to read another posting from you.What a wonderful story. You must feel awkward though being carried by two men and not been able to walk. So second . birth, huh!
I watch your re entry too. And I pray for your safe return, and I am happy seeing your smile when you are sitting out on the ground with a beautiful bouquet of roses. And the people around you are surely feel very lucky seeing you personnaly and stepping on the same ground as you do and had your pictures taken.I envy them for that glorious moment.
You are right, when you say, the end. I mean the end of the capsule’s usefulness that taken you safely back to the Earth. But you surely know, that it is just the beginning of a different life for you now.May I say, “LIFE is a road that you must keep on going. Have a wonderful journey!
Take good care always because people all around the world care for you.
Jun Uera, Malolos City, Philippines
Comment by jun uera — October 6, 2006 @ 1:20 am
Wonderful gift for writing, you really should write a book.
Comment by James, Mountain View, CA — October 6, 2006 @ 1:32 am
Dear Dear Anousheh,
Hi again,
Hope you saw my previous comment.
Just wanted to say that , I do enjoy reading your nice blogs.You write so sweetly and descriptively.My mind absorbs your experiences so deeply as if I was there myself.Your nice picture IS IN MY ROOM.lOOKING AT THAT EVERY DAY &NIGHT INSPIRES ME TO TRY HARDER ¦HARDER.
BON COURAGE ET PORTE TOI BIEN MON CHERE ANOUSHEH.
Salut a`Hamid.
NILINIK.
Comment by Nilinik — October 6, 2006 @ 2:13 am
Ahousheh,
Once again you gave us a unique perspective with the description of extraction from the spacecraft and adjusting to gravity.
Your writing is so great, I hope you will write a book about the experience from start of your Cosmonaut training to the landing. You have a talent for writing (in addition to your other successes).
I have to tell you a funny side note. My wife, who has no interest in space travel, was curiously fascinated by me telling her of your blog entries. That in itself is an accomplisment.
All the best, and please DO keep writing!!
Dave from NJ
Comment by Dave from NJ — October 6, 2006 @ 2:42 am
Thanks so much for the reporting, best I have ever read. I understand know why the lady astronaut fainted when she was giving her little speech to the press. Thanks again for the wonderful reports.
Comment by Jimmy — October 6, 2006 @ 3:20 am
Welcome back Anousheh, and thank you so much for your blog. It is obviously truly from the heart and it brings the experience of space flight alive more than anything else I have ever read or seen or heard!
Comment by Peter Campbell — October 6, 2006 @ 3:31 am
Dear Anousheh,
I wanted to cry when I read of your meeting with Hamid. Your words are so touching. You are just inspiring! It reminded me of my favourite quote:
“We are each of us angels with one wing, only able to fly embracing one another.”
– Liciano De Cresenzo
With love and best wishes for your future,
Peter
Comment by Peter — October 6, 2006 @ 5:22 am
Dear Anousheh,
Living and working in space has been my life’s dream. My whole life has been i preparation of becoming an astronaut. However in recent years I have had a couple of health problems that will probably disqualify me from NASA astronaut consideration. Thanks to you and other private space travel pioneers, traveling to space might still be possible for me someday. I only hope that I can afford it! Your life and your accomplishments inspire me to never lose sight of my dream. Thank you for giving me that. I’m curious how your life has unfolded; how did you start your business? How did you get to the place where you are today? I hope you can write a book to answer these and other questions to inspire a generation of new space exploration. Congratulations on your honorarary ISU doctorate, and ad adstra!
Warmest regards,
Brian Shiro, Hawaii, USA (ISU SSP05 grad)
Comment by Brian Shiro — October 6, 2006 @ 5:25 am
dear anousheh
Thanx for ur detailed story about journy from earth to space. Its verry amazing. I am a writer from India. I also have a dream to walk in the space, like thousand others. May it will not be fullfil in my present life.But you are verry inspairing person for me and many others. Thanx again. May god bless you.
parag
Comment by Parag — October 6, 2006 @ 6:32 am
Great posting. Keep it up. I have followed your trip to space and am really happy about your successful trip. I am already looking forward to your second trip. Please read my posting in my blog about your trip. Please visit…
Thanks.
Comment by The Outdoor Guy — October 6, 2006 @ 7:10 am
It’s nice sense to have the feeling such as a infant feels at the birth,but you took down correctly,you could simulated it inreality,then if it’s possible to imagine living in space as mother’s womb?, but with inteligence? Wow this the first time that I read the seconds of after landing of an astronaut.I didn’t know that you read my previous comment on 28th Sept. on your video blogs, or not? but I grew up with space and space crafts and science fictions studies and movies, remember that at 14 studied about how “Vastouk” ,if I spelled correct, was retired and Soyoz substitued.Now I’m so interested in that you reply my comment ,I like to know about every moment in small capsule, wasn’t you frightened after seeing that small barier returned you all to earth!! surley before you pass the sky with big planes and now??…It’s nice that we both study electrical but I wish always study aeronatical… but impossible in iran that time.
I’ll wait for your kind reply and please surely do it , I have space on my dreams and you learned me BE CHANGE,I like you see my design of the Trans Atmospheer air crafts that I imagined 10 years ago and now be amazed that it go to reality,I sacnned them and send you, then please email me ,because I start my CHANGE.!!
ALL THE BEST
Comment by Abdi Moshiri (Ansari) — October 6, 2006 @ 7:11 am
سلام
ممنون که ترجمه هاي فارس رو هم روي سايت گذاشتين…
Comment by Mohsen Ebrahimi — October 6, 2006 @ 8:10 am
salam anousheh jan,
i was so so ecxited while reading your blog specially the “second birth”.
it is so wonderfull,unbelievable, incredible, amazing and looks friendly to all of us. I wanna to tell tou again that besides all the hard thing they may have told you to make you feel sad, we are here to be proud of you and many people in iran and any where else feel absulotly faithfull in you and i have had cried so many times while reading your blog. we are all waiting for you to stand up again and do sth amazing one more.
feel free and successful where ever you are
with all my love
zahra
mashhad,iran
Comment by zahra — October 6, 2006 @ 9:39 am
great experience for u and for us reading too … Im proud that a woman did it ..
thanks for sharing your experience with us ..
Comment by suparna — October 6, 2006 @ 9:54 am
Dear Anousheh
Its a tribute to travel trade you pointed out that space also we can use.Keep exploring
Love
Xavier
Comment by Xavier Chacko — October 6, 2006 @ 10:01 am
Dear Anousheh,
Your really are a very very impressive woman. A great role model for any body.
I am hoping you can clarify something for me. Can you tell me the difference between an Astronaut and a Cosmonaut ? and since you had your training in the Gagarin Cosmonaut training center are you technically a Cosmonaut ?
Best Regards Eric
Comment by Eric — October 6, 2006 @ 10:39 am
Hi again…i can`t stop reading your blog everyday:”>…i just wanted to say something and that is,from the time you started your blog on whenever i wanna gain some power to do something,i come and read your blog times and times…don`t you believe me how much it can help me to feel powerful and fresh…i wanna thank you again and again…i wanna be a succesful girl and i will…and you gave me this kind of feeling…i owe you..i`m indebted to you for ever…you changed my life in many ways….cheers
Comment by samaneh — October 6, 2006 @ 10:45 am
I forgot to say something…Anousheh it was a second birth to me also…you changed many things in my life and beliefes as i said…thank you for everything…send my hello to Hamid…take care…
Comment by samaneh — October 6, 2006 @ 10:48 am
Anousheh, that was just beautiful! Thanks for virtually taking us with you on that marvelous trip. You’re not the same person anymore before you started your journey and it must be hard to go back to normal. I’m also not the same person too before I found your blog and reading the last part, I felt sorta sad cause I’m gonna miss you and your stories. Well, I’m gonna look to the sky and wonder where the ISS could be at that moment and remember you and not be discouraged to reach for the heavens. Anyway, you and your family take care. Hope you’re recovering well!
Comment by Yan — October 6, 2006 @ 10:49 am
Anousheh joon
dooset daram ye alameh
fatemeh
Comment by fatemeh — October 6, 2006 @ 10:59 am
hi…i am iranian….
anoushe khanoom man khili khsohahl hastam va be onvaneh ye irani be shoma eftekhar mikonam…..i dont know that u understand my persian word or no..but i cxan…say thats in english word…
be glad too mett u !!!!
Comment by arman — October 6, 2006 @ 11:22 am
Dear Anousheh,
Thank you very much for everything!
I appreciate you not only because you have escaped to space; further I appreciate your strong will to fulfill your dreams.
You were lucky to be in a suitable position and time to do that but “chance deserves prepared mind!”
Hope I would be able to pass the Visa barrier and fulfill my old dream which is studying Astronomy!
Best regards,
Ali.
Comment by Ali — October 6, 2006 @ 11:30 am
Anousheh joonam,
The Second birth!, i loved the way you described it. I wish that i had your mind, sprit and strenght, you are so beautifull, i wish i could just see you and give you a thank you hug for making me feel so much better about life, and everything around it. God bless you and Hamid.
love
~yana
Comment by yana — October 6, 2006 @ 11:31 am
Thank you very much for evrything!
I appreciate you not only because you have escaped to space; further I appreciate your strong will to fulfill your dreams.
You were lucky to be in a suitable position and time to do that but “chance deserves prepared mind!”
Hope I would be able to pass the Visa barrier and fulfill my old dream which is studying Astronomy!
Best wishes,
Ali.
Comment by Ali — October 6, 2006 @ 11:33 am
I have followed your journey. Along the way I have discovered an amazing story of courage, belief and adventure undertaken by a woman with an open and sharing heart. You share your story with us in a completely selfless fashion. In doing so you have reignited my dreams, my hope, my belief in a future that is bigger and more possible than it sometimes seems today.
Follow your heart throughout your life, as you seem to already have done, and you will shine a light into the corners of people’s lives.
Thank you for having the courage to chase your dreams.
Comment by Redbird — October 6, 2006 @ 12:00 pm
Thank you Anousheh.
please continue writing on your blog.
Comment by Golnaz,19,Tehran — October 6, 2006 @ 12:09 pm
Anousheh,
Thanks for being there and saying it the way it was and felt. And congratulations on your honorary Doctorate from ISU. You deserve it lady. Welcome home
Ola
Comment by Ola Abraham — October 6, 2006 @ 12:15 pm
Anousheh,
I felt very sad when I on your blog the impact of the negative comments. Some people will judge you simply because you had the money to realize your dream. Some people will be jealous of your wealth and how you choose to spend your money and they will not be able to move beyond that and will lash out at you.
You are a woman of depth, substance, passion and great vision. You are an old soul who has a perspective that not everyone will understand or be able to “see you.” Your authenticity and quality of heart that come through in your writings on your blog are very moving. You are touching the lives of millions of people. You are changing the world. You are ‘being the change’ and along with that comes the challenge of facing those who can’t truly see you and instead judge, criticize and make false accusations that they believe to be true. Face those who criticize you not by trying to get them to understand you or convince them that your intentions are pure. Face them by continuing to be a role model for the world and continuing to ‘be the change.’ Continue to stand in your truth!!!! You’ve touched my life just from reading the few days you spent in space. First, I could feel the preciousness of this planet and all the beings it supports. After reading your blog I was walking around looking at the world in a new way, in a clearer way, with greater perspective of life and our planet. You also touched me personally as a source of inspiration to continue to pursue my dreams even in the face of all the struggles I face through this process including fears (ok, panic and terror) doubts, feelings of hopelessness, etc. Your message to people is about unity, love, peace, education, learning, growth and following your dreams….don’t let the negativity out there impact you sharing these values with the world. Please keep writing on your blog.
Love,
Deanna
Boston, MA, U.S.
Comment by Deanna — October 6, 2006 @ 12:34 pm
This is, by far, the best blog I have ever read! Thank you Anousheh for all that you’ve done for space exploration. You are a true pioneer.
All the best,
The Spacejunkie
Comment by Spacejunkie — October 6, 2006 @ 12:39 pm
Salam khanume ansari,az safare fazaie khaste nabashi va omidvaram salamatie baedaz safaretun ro be hamrah dashte bashid.
khanume ansarie aziz azatum khaheshi dashtam.shoma chera be tarafdaranetun ejazeh midid ke har chizio be afradi ke nebsat be shoma enteghad mikonand nesbat bedan.shoma dar matlabe chand ruz gozashtatun az in ke nesbat behetun enteghad shode na omid shode budid va khoda ro shokr tedade tarafdaranetun kam nist va azatun defae mikonand.aya behtar nist kami be enteghad ha fekr konid va kami dar tasmim girihatun ajale nakonid va agar enteghadi dorost bud taeedesh konid va agar na dorost rad.be har hal mamnun azatun.OMIDVARAM safare shoma baese gostareshe tahghighate elmi beshe va 20 milon dolar arzeshe in ro dashte bashe.
ba tashakkor
Sayeh
Az IRAN
Comment by Sayeh — October 6, 2006 @ 1:42 pm
There will never be a time again in your life when you are not a space traveler. It may feel like the end, but this is a begining.
The future chapters of your life now all contain this experience, It must indeed feel like a second birth.
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this with us. It has meant so much to me to be able to read this.
Dwight
Comment by Dwight — October 6, 2006 @ 1:57 pm
Anousheh,
I am not much of a writer, so all that I can think of to say is thank you. My warm regards to you and Hamid, and to the X-Prize Foundation.
Alan
Alan
Comment by Alan — October 6, 2006 @ 2:13 pm
Pour Anousheh,
Une lecture qui peut être source d’inspiration :
“Sur la courbe de l’horizon terrestre, le ciel est trés grand, trés pur, plein de choses merveilleuses… C’est du ciel, surtout du ciel que vient la liberté. En lui tout est clair, réalisé. En lui est le luxe, le véritable luxe qui éblouit, étourdit….le ciel m’ouvre, il m’enlève, me soulève….Je sens sa couleur pure, ce bleu illimité qui entre en moi par les yeux, qui se mêle à ce que je respire.
C’est la liberté quand il n’y a plus de frontière.”
“L’inconnu sur la terrre” de J.M.G Le CLEZIO
Le plus souvent l’adulte a abandonné ses rêves, il n’a que des désirs, si ce n’est des besoins.
La magie de votre récit tient principalement au fait que derrière une fraîcheur et une spontaneité toute naturelle, vous avez gardé votre regard d’enfant, vos rêves de toujours, émerveillée devant cette pomme qui défie les lois de la pesanteur !
Au fil de ce récit vrai de cet émerveillement, vous trouvez les mots justes pour faire partager vos émotions qui deviennent les nôtres face à l’espace, à l’infini, source de mystère, parce qu’inconnu et inaccessible, sauf pour les magiciens et les magiciennes…
Sous votre plume, cet infini devient mutin et rieur, nous pouvons l’apprivoiser et nous laisser emporter par vos impressions sur cette toile de rire que vous tissez en toute innocence et toute liberté jusqu’à cette boule multicolore qu’est la Terre.
Je me plais aussi à relire dans “Micromégas”, un conte de Voltaire, l’histoire de ce voyageur céleste qui va de planète en planète, pour “achever de se former l’esprit et le coeur…”
A bientôt, magicienne de l’espace !
Que la poésie soit votre inspiratrice.
Petit Pierre
Comment by Petit Pierre — October 6, 2006 @ 2:43 pm
Dear Anousheh,
Thanks again for your fantastic blog with pictures, videos, and ofcourse the amazing way you described the trip from the begining to re-birth. You aimed at the stars and became one. Best wishes to you and Hamid and without a doubt I can say that both of you will make it happen for others to aim at the stars too with your X prize foundation.
To infiniti and beyond
Comment by Shahram Z — October 6, 2006 @ 2:50 pm
Hi Anousheh!
I am really happy that you decided to join us again and let us get into your amazing experience! I must confess, even if I had the means to go on such an adventure, I would NEVER EVER do it! It really takes a lot of courage, which I unfortunately lack! I am not genetically prepared for radical sports or extreme adventures… hélas! That’s one of the reasons why it is so wonderful that you share your experience with us… THANK YOU! I read it all with interest and dreaming eyes, but happy to be on solid ground!
Kind regards!
Comment by Rosario Andrade — October 6, 2006 @ 3:05 pm
Dear Dear Dear anoushe
happy your new birthday
i saw your landin completly from nasa tv in internet
i love you and hope you be happy and have a nice time ,
from the fierst day of your trip im foloowing the reports and read your comments
i think that maby you read my comments and wishes for you
tack care
Comment by hadi saeidi TEHRAN — October 6, 2006 @ 3:51 pm
مرسی.خیلی خیلی زیاد مزسی.:):*
دختر 18 ساله از رشت
Comment by H.B — October 6, 2006 @ 3:52 pm
سلام خانم انصاری
مثل همیشه این مطلب هم خیلی جالب و خواندنی بود
راستی چند روز پیش یه جمله جالب شنیدم
پیامبر فرمودند اگر علم در ثریا باشد فردی از قوم پارس به آن دست
خواهد یافت
و شما این کارو کردید
باز هم برای شما آرزوی موفقیت دارم
Comment by Pedram — October 6, 2006 @ 4:40 pm
Anousheh,
Le bleu intense
“C’est l’étendue sans repères, le bleu intense où le regard semble s’ouvrir indéfiniment.
C’est le bleu que les hommes voudraient garder en eux, retenir dans leur corps.
Ils le boivent du regard et de la bouche, ils l’appellent.
Ce n’est pas l’infini, ce n’est pas effrayant comme la mer, ou comme la nuit.
C’est le ciel libre offert en un seul morceau, le ciel qui vous prend et vous emporte.”
J.M.G Le Clézio “l’inconnu sur la Terre”
A bientôt
Petit Pierre
Comment by Petit Pierre — October 6, 2006 @ 4:57 pm
Anousheh,
My 12 year old son and I have been captivated by your process.
I think to the time in our country when flight itself was new. When I see the private enterprise now surging to embrace space, it is possible to touch the excitement those people must have felt as the skies opened to man.
My son will see private space travel as a more and more commonplace event in his life, thanks to adventurers like you. He is on the threshold of a new way of living.
My main concern, as we move forward, is how will we treat our new environment? Already we worry about the space debris, from the few people who have made it. I am curious to know how you envision our ability to do it better than we have. Will this be something the X Prixe addresses as it encourages exploration? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I personally believe we are creative enough to progress in a balanced way. Can’t wait to see what we develop!
Thanks again for allowing us to escape to the stars vicariously through your story. Keep in touch.
Comment by Tracy — October 6, 2006 @ 5:14 pm
Great story and what a beautiful happy ending. I was just wondering maybe you can ask the Russian Space Agency to let you have the capsule as a memorabilia. Based on the definition of the word memorabilia “Objects valued for their connection with historical events” nobody would cherish this little ship more than you.
It could be yours after all because I read somewhere the amount you paid is what a Soyuz mission would cost RSA. So technically it’s actually yours! I think the best place to keep it would be the corner of your living room.
Comment by Space Enthusiast — October 6, 2006 @ 5:19 pm
Dearest Anousheh,
I must write once again to this posting of yours, that this is NOT the end, yet only the beginning. I think, and I feel strongly that ‘YOU’ have been able to humanize perhaps more than any other “Participant” thus far, be they professional or otherwise, the sensations of space and the dream of all things beyond.
Perhaps your gift to the program was not the micro biology experiment nor the discovery of the ramifications of weighlessness on sutures. But you did bring a voice and a human touch to the ship, and you sent it home to us.
For that, you deserve and have earned the title of Explorer.
GOD BLESS YOU, “Anousheh Ansari, Explorer”
Always sharing the dream with you and others,
James Dunn
Comment by James Dunn — October 6, 2006 @ 5:25 pm
Dear Anousheh,
Welcome back to Earth and thankyou so much for taking the time to share your experiences with the world. I found your comments fascinating and deeply moving - I’ve been sitting here at work trying to hide my tears as I have read your words. I’m so pleased that you all returned safely. We tend to forget what a dangerous voyage it is that you have been on. I’m sure there will be some low times for you in the coming months - you have been through such an incredible experience that you will miss it terribly I’m sure, and look around you with sadness as you see the world is still the same crazy place it was when you left. But what a wonderful place it is too! Take heart if you feel down; you have changed people’s lives with your touching and inspirational messages. What an achievement! My very best wishes to you and your family.
Andy -UK
Comment by andy — October 6, 2006 @ 5:37 pm
Dear Mrs. Ansari and XPrize Founders,
Besides my real job as a computer programmer, I volunteer to coach kids soccer at a club nearby here in Houston. Within the United States Youth Soccer Association, there are both competitive and recreational programs that kids get to attend. Usually at younger age, kids start off with the recreational ones just to start enjoying the game and when they get older and more serious, they move to the competitive leagues. But experience has shown that the recreational programs are just as important, if not more, as the competitive leagues. That’s where you draw kids into the sport and that’s what feeds the competitive programs.
The other day I was thinking if the same thing holds true for space enthusiasts. Where would the kids go if they wanted to learn about space and astronomy and explorations if they are interested in this field? Traditionally astrounauts and cosmonauts have been recruited from test pilot programs or airforce. But that leaves a whole bunch of people out! young people who are enthusiasts and like to learn and experience space adventures (as we have seen from the responses on this blog).
To make the long story short, would it not make sense for XPrize Foundation, to create schools throughout the United States and maybe even throughout the world for the space enthusiast kids who excel in academics to learn about space, astronomy and Earth? What I have in mind is private space academies that only accept the best kids (academically) and provide them with scholarships if they need them. Maybe the schools can be equiped with astronaut (instructors), centrifuges, 0G simulators, a planatarium, or whatever else is required and if it’s not too cost prohibitive.
I would think that such schools will provide the basis for future private space explorations much better than government space agencies can.
Let me know if I am completely out of the ball park here and maybe this is out of the realm of XPrize foundation.
Regards,
Tourang
Comment by Tourang — October 6, 2006 @ 6:01 pm
salam, khanoome ansari,
migam mahe ramazoon o chetoor didin. shoma ke az oon nazdik didinesh, farghi mikone ba mahaye dige ya na :D.
(harfe jeddi) : baraye ma irania eftekhar bood, enshallah maratebe balatar va movaffagiayyat haye badi
Comment by Mehrdad — October 6, 2006 @ 8:46 pm
Dear Anousheh ,
Thanks soooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOO much
every thing you write here about your journey is amazing and beautiful ,
Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks ,
have golden days ,
Comment by Zari — October 6, 2006 @ 9:41 pm
Dear Anoushe
I can not depict my happiness of reading your blog.
It was very nice to read your experiences in detail.
Thanks a million for writing this wonderful blog.
Love
Live long and happy
Hoda
Comment by Hoda — October 6, 2006 @ 9:54 pm
سلام خانم انصاری.امیدوارم هر جای دنیا که باشی موفق باشی.
انوشه جان منم دانشجوی رشته الکترونیک هستم و امیدوارم روزی مثل تو بتونم موفق باشم.
با آرزوی سلامتی برای تو
Comment by امین رضا — October 6, 2006 @ 10:02 pm
anousheh jan salam
Comment by reza — October 6, 2006 @ 10:18 pm
Congratulations.
You are great and an inspiration.
Peter Welch, Mount Kisco, NY, USA
Comment by Peter Welch — October 6, 2006 @ 10:40 pm
I hope that you will share the joy which new immigrant students here in the USA have found in reading your blog. One woman, 40 years old, who has studied English for six months was so excited to learn of your adventure that she read every word. All of our students are so impressed that someone who arrived in this country with no English could achieve such goals. It has reinvigorated the whole class. My deepest gratitude.
Comment by Elena — October 6, 2006 @ 11:53 pm
Hi our dear Anoushe,
I haven’t read all of your blog, but I have to tell you that we Iranians and of course the World are proud of you and your courage. It is a pleasure for me to read your thoughts and experiences both on the Earth and the space. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful moments with us. I wish a long and healthy life for you and your family.
Nazanin
Comment by Nazanin — October 7, 2006 @ 12:04 am
سلام به شما انوشه عزيز
شما به من ثابت كرديد دست يافتن به رويا ها زياد دور از انتظار نيست نميدوني چه شوري رو در وجودم برانگيختي ..ديگه داشت باورم ميشد دارم تبديل به يه زن خونه دار كه كارش فقط بشور وبپز و بساب تبيديل ميشم ..هر اين كارها در جاي خودش قشنگ …دوست دارم به روياي خودم برسم هر چند بهاش سنگين باشه …متشكرم انوشه تو همانند اسمت روح جاودان هستي ..تو نوشين رواني
نوشين 25ساله از مشهد
Comment by نوشين — October 7, 2006 @ 12:23 am
congratulations on achieving your dream!
thank you sooo sooo much for sharing every moment with us!
This is the first time that ordinary people get to know how it feels to be in space and to return to earth and to experience such an amazing journey!
you are a true inspiration to everyone.
keep it up!
Cheers,
Sindy, Australia
Comment by Sindy — October 7, 2006 @ 1:22 am
Another suggestion:
Wouldn’t be great if you send everyone who post comment on your blog, an autographed signed copy of your new book? It would be the best gift that every of us can dreamed of.
Did I ask you too much?
We love you Anousheh
Hamilton from Canada
Comment by Hamilton — October 7, 2006 @ 3:19 am
Hi everyone again;
First of all, I’d like to shortly say something to a dear friend, ‘Kamran’, who have put informative comments on my writings: Yes, you are right! It was my PERSONAL opinion as an Iranian, but you did the same and state YOUR opinions as OURS too, so, tit for tat! Also I’m not a ‘frantic’ fan for her: even I had made some objections to her action in my previous comments. Neither am a begoted nationalist, like what someone has undrestood about my writings. I’m only one who have been awakaned by what she has done. And as the last item, the king ‘Hammurabi’ had established a ‘Code’, rather than ‘Regulations’, which did not include many details. ‘Cyrus the Great’, although extracted his regulations from his predecessors (like Hammurabi), had prepared a complete set of instructions and procedures that could be followed by anyone and for almost any social matter (e.g., you may find social security regulations for all workers in it). But despite all above, your helpful instructions are all appreciated. Your advices were totally instructive and didactic.
Secondly, I’m glad to see Mrs. Ansari is back to writing. Her description about the last part of her ‘return’ was impressive. However, I don’t agree with her last sentence: phrase ‘THE END’ reminds me of termination and discontinuity; while I beleive theis chapter of her life is started recently. Is it because you need a short rest, Mrs. Ansari? OK! Save your power for the next session! Good luck!
I wish everyone who reads this comment feel (even a little) more responisbility about the world we were living in (as I’ve already got this feeling).
God bless all of us; required your blessings and prays….
Yours, Farhad from Iran (a place in the United World)
Comment by Farhad — October 7, 2006 @ 5:28 am
Mrs Anousheh Ansari
It’s better to say dear Anousheh because I feel that I know you for a long time because I and you have a dream in common.I had your dream like you when I was a child but now I’m in different place. Now I’m a 21 year old genetic student in Iran and it is my last hope to gain my dream because I’m sure that for a better life in space, human should change plants, animals or even his body by means of genetic engineering. I’m sure that someday we meet each other or maybe we could work together because I think that you are the one that could help me to do the same work as you do.
After all I should thank you for your intersting writing.You could be a good writer even among native english Writers.
The last requst: Would you mind asnwer my comment. I know that you are so busy these days but I demand you aganin, please do this favore to me.
Comment by amir hossein — October 7, 2006 @ 5:35 am
Congratulation,
it is really touchy when you describe the second birth.i was so excited reading that.
you are great.Take our prayer from Banglades and deepeat gratituade from our people.
Take salam and salute
Comment by arif — October 7, 2006 @ 6:51 am
hi dear anousheh,
it’s the lesson that i got from you..and your new step in your life that; i am alive..really i am..and i will be,till the time is going on..till i’m breathing..whenever my two angles are ataring at me and want to learn,want to know..i’m alive for them..to teach them..to open their eyes..and spread their wings..and show them the flight……..and then i’m sure they’ll learn how to fly.
dear dear anousheh…thx for waking up my hopes..and for flying my wishes.
laleh from Iran
Comment by laleh — October 7, 2006 @ 7:48 am
Anousheh Jooon
mamnoon az inke blog farsi roo update kardi
love
Fatemeh
Comment by fatemeh — October 7, 2006 @ 8:56 am
Dear Anousheh,
I hope this will not be THE END of your blog. I really enjoy reading it and you’re a gifted writer (Hey - what about a book about your space trip and your efforts for public space flight…
). I’m curious about how long it takes that you don’t feel ‘heavy’ any more and be able to move around normaly. I think there’s still a lot to write about, isn’t it?
Greatings from Germany,
Georg
Comment by Georg — October 7, 2006 @ 8:58 am
hi dear anushe
thank you for promote name of the iran and iranians.
I wish you be for ever alive and shad!!!?.
pls reply me your feedback.
by
Comment by arash — October 7, 2006 @ 9:33 am
سلام یه چیزی میدونی تو افتخار همه ایرانیان هستی
و افتخار تمام ادمایی که به رویاهاشون جامه عمل می پوشونن
Comment by amir — October 7, 2006 @ 10:05 am
سلام
اگر وقتش راداشتید ترجمه ی مطالب جدیدتون را هم در سایت قرار دهید
تشکر