We are a footnote, a species that could have been if we stay rooted to Terra. Our destiny is out there. Terraform Mars and even Venus. Explore and settle the archipelago of moons around Jupiter. And yes, grind out the word 'impossible' that is married to the nonsense that the stars are unreachable like the dirty cigarette butt it is, and dare to dream of humans falling around them in orbit looking back at Sol's tiny speck of light in the vastness of the sky.
I have long been an enthusiastic supporter of space travel. I can't watch 'Enterprise' without that themesong making my eyes misty. I remember how galvanized I felt watching men walk on our moon. I would trade anything to be out there in the solar system or beyond.
One of the most valuble intangibles about being human is the spirit to dare to challenge all limits. It isn't a matter of, "should we climb out of the egg?" It is a question of whether we collectively realize we have no choice but to do so and go out to make things happen.
As he showed us the worlds biggest electric vehicle, the new tractor crawler, he also pointed out the building that would be used to prepare the NERVA upper stage for flight. He said, "With that piece of hardware, we go to Mars!"
We missed the chance then but maybe now is the time to continue our "Trek"
Next week, NASA will request funding for development of a space nuclear reactor.
It's about d$mned time !