Prunariu. Space reminds us that we all live on the same planet

Humanity is now at the beginning of a new era, an era in which space becomes part of the daily, economic, cultural and spiritual life, said in Alba Iulia, Cosmonaut Dumitru Prunariu, who pointed out that modern life depends on the cosmic space.

Present at an event in which the title of ‘Honorary Citizen of Alba Iulia’ was conferred, Dumitru Prunariu shared with those present at the ceremony some reflections on our place in the Universe and our future among the stars.

‘Looking at the starry sky, from ancient times, the man asked who we are, where we come from, where we go. Cosmic space is not just a distant, silent and mysterious place. He is the scene of our origins, the laboratory of our destiny and maybe, one day, our new house. We are curious beings. Curiosity is inscribed in our genetic code, it is the engine of progress and survival. That’s why we explore. Not from vanity, but out of the deep need to understand, « said Prunariu.

Cosmonaut said that space exploration is not only a matter of technology, but a sense.

‘When we walk on the moon or send wells to the edges of the solar system, we wonder not only what is there, but who we are in the vastness of the universe. We explore the space because we want to understand how the universe appeared, how the earth was formed, how life appeared. We want to know if we are alone or if, in the light of another star, another civilization asks the same questions. But there’s something else. We explore to survive. To protect life, it is essential to understand it and multiply it. The earth is fragile, whether we are talking about climatic changes, cosmic dangers or human mistakes. The colonization of other worlds, no matter how far it seems now, may become a necessity, not an option. We send people into space because no artificial intelligence can replace the intuition, adaptability and humanity that a man brings to an unknown environment. When a man walks into another world, the whole humanity is there with him, « said Dumitru Prunariu.

He pointed out that, whether we realize it or not, the cosmic space is in our daily lives.

‘Modern life depends on space: satellites guide our cars, manage global communications, monitor climate, support agriculture, national safety and disaster management. (…) The exploration of the cosmos is not a luxury, but a strategic investment, in progress and resilience, « he said.

Prunariu added that we are witnesses to the autonomous spatial stations, the orbital industry, the artificial intelligence.

‘Humanity is now at the beginning of a new era, an era in which space becomes part of the daily, economic, cultural and spiritual life. And yet, what does all this mean to us, as a species? In a world often divided by conflicts and borders, the space reminds us that we all live on the same planet, a delicate blue sphere, enveloped in the black of infinity. The borders are not seen from space. The quarrels are not seen, only one land is seen. Cosmic exploration is a collective project of humanity, it is the expression of our best qualities: intelligence, cooperation, vision, hope. It is the way we can transform the present into a future worthy of our potential. And, instead of conclusion, let’s not forget: we were born on this planet, but we are not convicted to stay here forever. Our destiny is where our dreams, science and courage bears us: to the stars, ‘said Dumitru Prunariu.

At the proposal of the University ‘1 December 1918’, the Alba Iulia Local Council approved, at the end of last year, the award of the title of ‘Citizen of Honor’ to Cosmonaut Dumitru Prunariu. The distinction was conferred on a ceremony held on Thursday at the Unirii Hall.

‘For me, this moment is not just an honorary distinction. It is a symbolic return to the fundamental values ​​that define us as a people: dignity, courage, vision and country love. As Alba Iulia was the place of affirmation of a national ideal, the 1918 Union, so, for me, the flight to the cosmos was a affirmation of Romania’s ability to contribute to a great adventure of humanity. To be received in the community of this city with such a deep historical load represents for me a special honor, but also a responsibility, to continue to inspire, to support and to represent the Romanian values ​​where he carried me and bears me destiny, « said the only Romanian who flew into the cosmic space.

Within the same ceremonies, the title of ‘Citizen of Honor of Alba Iulia’ and the physicist Florin-Călin Păun was conferred.