With its vast size, ever growing discoveries and unlivable conditions for humans space is considered by many as the final frontier for man. When we look up at the sky, we only see a tiny glimpse into the vast universe that we have only begun to scrape the surface of. In school we are usually only taught about our Solar System which consists of the Sun, and the planets such as Earth, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. In addition to dwarf planets such as Pluto and also asteroids, comets, and meteoroids. Read along to learn about banknotes that are related to space travel.
The Space Race
The first human in outer space was former Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin who traveled in the Vostok 1. His mission took place on April 12, 1961. This moment was a significant part of the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States of America. Both powers fought for decades to show off superiority in technology and ideology. A comparable feat for the United States would be putting the first man on the moon. It would take place in 1969 and the name Neil Armstrong will forever be remembered in American history. He famously planted the US flag on the moon and originated the phrase “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.
Private Space Exploration Companies
Since initial space exploration has usually been delegated to close governmental organizations. For example, NASA, the Soviet Space Program (defunct) and the China National Space Administration. Other smaller nations have also started developing their own space programs as well. However in modern times private companies dedicated to space travel have emerged. Companies like Virgin Galactic founded by Richard Branson, SpaceX founded by Elon Musk and BlueOrigin founded by Jeff Bezos have brought the idea of space travel for every day citizens to the main stage. They have all launched successful missions as of recently and they all plan to revolutionize space travel in the future.
Banknotes Featuring Space Themes
Many countries have rightfully used their currency to show off their achievements in space travel. For example the polymer Canadian 5 Dollar banknote, 2013 highlights Canada’s frontiers. Centered on its obverse is a portrait of the 7th Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier. He is the first French-Canadian prime minister, serving from 1896 until 1911. The reverse is an illustration of the 57.7-foot-long robotic arm Canadarm2 and the two-armed robot Dextre. It is also called Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator. It also features an astronaut walking above Canada.
Aside from the Dextre whose missions include repairing and installing new parts for the International Space Station (ISS) and the Canadarm2 which was launched into space to deploy and retrieve heavy loads of up to 7,250 pounds, finding the first evidence of a black hole is Canada’s phenomenal contribution to space exploration. The discovery of the black hole Cygnus X-1 in 1972 by researchers from the University of Toronto has earned Canada a space on the star map.
China 100 Yuan & Romania 2,000 Lei
Another banknote that is space related would be the Romania 2,000 Lei, 1999. It commemorates the total solar eclipse visible in Romania on August 11, 1999. Its obverse side features the solar system. The reverse side features a transit of total solar eclipse on August 11, 1999, over the map of Romania. Another banknote that features a space theme is the China 100 Yuan, 2015.
It’s colored in blue and on the obverse it features the Chinese coat of arms and the Dongfanghong I satellite on the far left side. It has a green colore and made out of a foil. In addition it is the first ever satellite launched by China. Its initial launch was in 1970 and its purpose was to test satellite technology in addition to take readings of the ionsphere and atmosphere. In the very center, the largest image consists of the Shenzhou-9 space capsule carrying a space crew docking with the Tiangong-1 space lab. This event occurred in 2012.
On the right side is an image of the Chang’e 1 lunar orbiter 2007 is its initial launch. Its objectives were to gather 3D geographical images, analyze and map elements on the moon, probe lunar soil and also to record the space environment. The reverse side shows images of the Chang’e 1, Shenzhou 9 docking with Tiangong 1 Space Station. Also a modern airplane, an aircraft from Chinese inventor Feng Ru who many consider the father of Chinese aviation, lastly a bird.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27e_1
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-18481806
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/solar-system/our-solar-system/overview/
