Telescopes, war, and civilization

Perhaps we are now encountering the Great Filter, the notion that intelligent civilizations may emerge on many planets in a universe, but that most of them are too weighed down by the baggage of their past to adapt to their new circumstances.

NASA’s recently launched Roman telescope, pictured in November 2025, reflects well on the human race, particularly America, which has devoted a great deal of money to seeking scientific answers to important questions, writes Gwynne Dyer. However, there is another side to the coin.NASA photograph courtesy of Jolearra Tshiteya

Opinion

BY GWYNNE DYER

August 31, 2026

LONDON, U.K.—On Aug. 30, a Falcon Heavy rocket delivered the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope onto a direct transit trajectory to its permanent home at the Lagrange Two Point (L2) 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. In 100 days it will reach its station, power up, and star...

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Tuesdays: Innovation & Industry Newsletter

The policies, decisions, and people working on investment and regulation in the industry and innovation realm.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy

FOLLOW THE HILL TIMES: