Bob Larson
A recent article from AMAC indicates putting politics aside and focus on America’s can-do spirit. That spirit is about believing, reaching, hoping and making things happen few believe are possible. Americans are risk-takers because we believe in ourselves. Nothing illustrates this better than remembering the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.
That brings us to 2019. The moon and Mars, together with other missions, are before us. AMAC interviewed Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 astronaut about his thoughts on the future of space exploration. His comments: There is growing interest in a manned mission to Mars – one that is transformative, and begins mankind on a path toward eventual permanence on the planet. There are scientific reasons to undertake the journey, but another big reason may be mankind’s curiosity. America also has a legacy of leadership in space exploration. I am a believer that America has a rendezvous with destiny, and part of that is reaching outward.
Manned exploration of Mars must be more than leaving footprints on the Martian soil, and planting the American flag. For Americans and all mankind, the mission should bring a revolution in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. A cascade of innovations would follow and would be valuable in space, and on Mars, as well as on Earth. All great journeys begin by taking the first and second steps. If the Apollo Moon missions were America’s first steps into space, Mars must be our second.
America’s destiny is both at home on Earth and space exploration. We owe a debt to those who have brought us to this point. My hope is we will unite together as a planet in the near future to press human space exploration to Mars!
~ Bob Larson is a technologist and Marketing Director for 50 Plus.