Space disasters, personal 

"Whenever we break atmosphere, we call out to two more
From whom we beg to see our much beloved home once more
Whose crews did burn like novae where the Earth's blue fades to black,
To [Challenger] when setting out, [Columbia] when back."

Space is not safe. I am so proud to be living at a time when we can both understand the risks, and dedicate our best and brightest to mitigating what we can, and accepting those left over in the hopes of better understanding our world, our universe, and our place in it.

Per aspera ad astra,
Ex astris, scientia

Good lift and safe landing to you all.

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re: Starfarer's Sacrament (text transcription) 

In ages past we looked above and gazed upon the stars,
And wondered whether we could live on Luna or on Mars;
Today we fly that starry night and blessed are those who know
The hallowed names and faces of the men who made it so.

[Yuri] might not be some say the first into the Black,
But none deny the truth that he's the first to make it back.
We look to good old Yuri as the patron of our race;
Humanity's protector in this vast and outer space.

[Neil] knew it was his duty to use NASA's mighty boon
And take [The Giant] leap on man's behalf up to the Moon.
Now colonists and settlers look to Neil for peace of mind
On having made the choice to leave their homeworld far behind.

[Buzz] was a mighty pilot and just may have been the best,
But more, he was [The Dreamer] seeing far beyond the rest.
With name dear to the hearts of anyone who's grabbed the helm,
We thank Buzz for the future he foresaw our starry realm.

[Michael] chose himself a role that most men could not take:
Crewed his command module [Loner] for Eleven's mission's sake.
When a 'farer's flying solo and their ship is far from home
They can trust that Michael's with them and they're never quite alone.

[John] may have never gone to space but hallowed is his name;
Without his [Steely Eye] Apollo would've died in flame.
His brilliant troubleshooting saved Man's place among the stars,
Now 'farers pray to Johnny as our helpful friend afar.

[Jim] took the role of captain on Thirteen's unlucky flight
And without him as [The Leader] they'd be lost unto the night.
We often think of Jim's example when we're facing matters grave,
For he taught us to be calm, to be resourceful, to be brave.

[Georgy, Vladislav and Victor] earned their solemn, holy place
And will always be [Remembered] as the first to die in space.
When our fellows go to join them they would tell us not to cry
But to drink a shot and know they're in that bright and starry sky.

[Laika] was a mongrel, who had more than shown her worth
As [The Loyal] friend of Man who proved that we could leave the Earth.
Now the shipboard pets and critters that we choose to share our days
Are all guarded and protected under Laika's watchful gaze.

Whenever we break atmosphere, we call out to two more,
For whom we beg to see our much beloved home once more.
Whose crews did burn like novae where the Earth's blue fades to black;
To [Challenger] when setting out, [Columbia] when back.

We lift a glass to those who laid our path into the sky;
A solemn prayer in thanks before into the black we fly.
We ask you to watch over us whenever we are sent
And offer up our voices in a 'Farer's Sacrament.

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