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This evening I watched as the NASA Curiosity Rover landed on our neighboring red planet Mars. There's no accurate way to describe how exhilarated I am that still today we are exploring that final frontier. It's been just over 43 years ago today since mankind set foot on the moon. I say mankind and highlight that it was not America because that is what the inscription read on the plaque that the men left on the moon's surface:
"Here Men From The Planet Earth First Set Foot Upon the Moon, July 1969 A.D. We Came in Peace For All Mankind."
Since that momentous day earth has come a long way. Our technology is advanced, our vision is broadened, and our knowledge greater. However with these things does come a hindrance and a large one at that: money. It's what for so long has kept mankind on the ground and for the foreseeable future will keep us on the ground. Sure there's Richard Branson's "Virgin Galactic" that hopes to put man back into space like never before but look at the costs with it. I'm 20 years old and supposed to be full of hope and dreams and I cannot envision a day where I can be one of the lucky ones to see earth from up there.
I have payed very close attention to all of our space endeavors and to this day I continue to do so. Much of America takes a passive interest in mankind's business up above. Why should they you might ask: it's too costly to go up and with little return thus far. Every American should be paying close attention to what Curiosity Rover finds on Mars. Our nation is crippled by debt and that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel seems to only be growing smaller. Yet still somehow NASA has found a way to send a $2.6 billion rover millions of miles away for the further investigation of the minute possibility of life past present and future. That money must come from somewhere, along with the metal and technology it encompasses, and it all comes from your pocketbooks. Yes. Tax dollars fund these explorations. It is for that basic reason that we should pay closer attention to what happens on Mars than any other nation. There is a possibility however small that Curiosity will find evidence of life. When and how is speculative, but the possibility of it's existence is there.
I refer you back to Buzz Aldrin and his broadcast shortly after landing on the moon:
"I'd like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way."
Give thanks that your tax dollars have not literally come down in flames. Pause to contemplate the implications that this mission could have for all mankind. We could yet again be pushing the frontiers of space exploration with a single discovery on that red planet we on earth get to see just occasionally.
The Curiosity Rover is slated to last two years exploring Mars searching for evidence of life. It's hoped that mission could go longer. Certainly the technology and personnel is already on Mars to ensure that, all it lacks is the backing from the government. For that the government needs the people to stand with them. The risk is great, the costs even greater. Yet the reward could far surpass both. I finish with President Nixon.
"...for people all over the world, I am sure they too join with Americans in recognizing what an immense feat this is. Because of what you have done, the heavens have become a part of man’s world. And as you talk to us from the Sea of Tranquility, it inspires us to redouble our efforts to bring peace and tranquility to Earth. For one priceless moment in the whole history of man, all the people on this Earth are truly one: one in their pride in what you have done, and one in our prayers that you will return safely to Earth."
"Here Men From The Planet Earth First Set Foot Upon the Moon, July 1969 A.D. We Came in Peace For All Mankind."
Since that momentous day earth has come a long way. Our technology is advanced, our vision is broadened, and our knowledge greater. However with these things does come a hindrance and a large one at that: money. It's what for so long has kept mankind on the ground and for the foreseeable future will keep us on the ground. Sure there's Richard Branson's "Virgin Galactic" that hopes to put man back into space like never before but look at the costs with it. I'm 20 years old and supposed to be full of hope and dreams and I cannot envision a day where I can be one of the lucky ones to see earth from up there.
I have payed very close attention to all of our space endeavors and to this day I continue to do so. Much of America takes a passive interest in mankind's business up above. Why should they you might ask: it's too costly to go up and with little return thus far. Every American should be paying close attention to what Curiosity Rover finds on Mars. Our nation is crippled by debt and that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel seems to only be growing smaller. Yet still somehow NASA has found a way to send a $2.6 billion rover millions of miles away for the further investigation of the minute possibility of life past present and future. That money must come from somewhere, along with the metal and technology it encompasses, and it all comes from your pocketbooks. Yes. Tax dollars fund these explorations. It is for that basic reason that we should pay closer attention to what happens on Mars than any other nation. There is a possibility however small that Curiosity will find evidence of life. When and how is speculative, but the possibility of it's existence is there.
I refer you back to Buzz Aldrin and his broadcast shortly after landing on the moon:
"I'd like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way."
Give thanks that your tax dollars have not literally come down in flames. Pause to contemplate the implications that this mission could have for all mankind. We could yet again be pushing the frontiers of space exploration with a single discovery on that red planet we on earth get to see just occasionally.
The Curiosity Rover is slated to last two years exploring Mars searching for evidence of life. It's hoped that mission could go longer. Certainly the technology and personnel is already on Mars to ensure that, all it lacks is the backing from the government. For that the government needs the people to stand with them. The risk is great, the costs even greater. Yet the reward could far surpass both. I finish with President Nixon.
"...for people all over the world, I am sure they too join with Americans in recognizing what an immense feat this is. Because of what you have done, the heavens have become a part of man’s world. And as you talk to us from the Sea of Tranquility, it inspires us to redouble our efforts to bring peace and tranquility to Earth. For one priceless moment in the whole history of man, all the people on this Earth are truly one: one in their pride in what you have done, and one in our prayers that you will return safely to Earth."
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