The second important trend in the space-orientation of scientific experi ment, which also began manifesting itself some decades ago, involves the artificial re-creation, or at least simulation, of cosmic phenomena, processes, conditions, and factors (or some of their components). Thus, for instance, the bulk of experiments done in nuclear physics and the physics of elementary particles consists essentially of artificially reproducing those interactions of nucleons and other objects of the microcosm that usually take place under extraterrestrial conditions or occur on our planet (or near it) under the effect of cosmic factors and are intimately linked with them. Such is also the case with experiments dealing with nuclear reactions, the "synthesis" of transuranic elements, the problem of a controlled thermo nuclear reaction, etc. Unquestionably "space-orientated" are the experi ments involving ultrahigh and extremely low temperatures which are characteristic of outer space, vacuum experiments, and experiments with various types of high-energy radiation. This is also true of the modeling of lunar rock formations, the simulation of a given set of space conditions in order to study the way in which plants and animals adapt to them, and the testing of artificial satellites and space instrumentation. Only three-quarters of a century ago such experiments were inconceivable. At the present time, however, they are assuming an ever-increasing importance in the general body of experimental work being done, and this despite the potential feasi bility of carrying out many of these investigations directly in outer space.
Another space-orientated trend has made its appearance recently in experimental science, almost together with applied astronautics, involving the global character of certain experiments, covering in one way or another all the terrestrial globe or at least a major portion of it. For example, when developing the equipment for the production of artificial comets, Soviet scientists obtained in 1958 a cloud of sodium vapor at an altitude of 400 km. Its apparent size extended to the outmost stars of Ursa Major and it was visible from an area of several million square kilometers. Of course, tremendous possibilities for conducting experiments on a global scale have been uncovered by applied astronautics. Suffice it to mention in this respect the work being carried out, or being planned, on drawing up charts of the Earth' s cloud cover, on continuous sounding of the ionosphere using radio waves, on the determination of the density and other properties of the upper atmosphere, on the study of the Earth's gravitational field, etc.
Finally, the fourth trend in the space-orientation of scientific experiment is toward the expansion of the experimental stage into space, far beyond the Earth. The radar echo bounced off the Moon in 1946 constituted in this sense a cosmic experiment, which marked the appearance of radar astro nomy, a necessarily experimental science. A period of on-the-spot space experimentation has begun, and many experiments are beginning to assume truly cosmic proportions. The launching of each artificial satellite or
space rocket is an example of a cosmic experiment. The production of artificial comets, the photographing of the far side of the Moon, and any forthcoming achievements of the same kind may be also classified as such. Accordingly, astronomy itself, which has traditionally been up till now an observational science, is turning into an experimental science. A branch of it, namely celestial mechanics, is also becoming an experimental discipline, for the launching of any spacecraft involves the practical application of the laws of celestial mechanics. Far-ultraviolet and gamma ray astronomy are based almost entirely on cosmic experimental data. Experimental cosmology has got under way, with experiments involving the direct analysis of cosmic radiation away from the Earth and of interplane tary gas, etc. To all these must be added the constantly expanding assort ment of a wide variety of cosmic experiments: geophysical, astrophysical, medico-biological, genetic, psychological, technological, etc.
There is no doubt that cosmic experiments in their various forms will come to play a leading role in science. Completely new experimental domains are bound to appear and within a fairly short time. For instance, stress will be probably be laid on experiments involving the study and use of new rocks, minerals, and other raw materials on the Moon and the planets of the solar system. There are prospects for experiments involving the investigation of as yet unknown states of matter and substances which may be discovered in outer space. A true revolution will be wrought in biology by experiments on the adaptation of terrestrial microorganisms, plants, and animals to the conditions prevailing in outer space and on celestial bodies, on the adaptation of extraterrestrial life forms to terrestrial conditions, and involving the controlled changes made by man on the flora and fauna of other worlds.
Now, after all the foregoing, we have grounds for asserting that modern natural science is in fact on its way into space. Thus, the following question arises: where does this way lead? In other words, if science is now taking leave of the geocentric bias of the prehistorical period, what course is it going to take with the onset of the true history of mankind? Obviously, toward an intrinsically cosmic outlook.
As the situation in natural science now emerges, every scientific field has a corresponding space analog, or even several. Thus physics is paralleled by the whole complex of the astrophysical sciences, chemistry by space chemistry, biology by astrobiology and space biology, etc. Con currently, each of the terrestrial sciences, irrespective of whether it has or has not its space counterpart, is being pervaded by cosmic material and is also becoming "space-orientated from within", as we said before. This process is still largely controlled by the terrestrial part of natural science, but this state of affairs is not due to last very long.