As a science fiction fan and a firm believer that our destiny is tied to the exploration and colonization of space, I would dearly love to make a trip “out there”. True there are dangers as there are in any new territory. But Mankind must face those dangers if we are to overcome stagnation and develop as a species. All the more reason to remember those who have died in that noble quest. 10 years ago today the shuttle Columbia broke up over Texas during reentry killing all seven crew members. We must never forget these brave explorers.
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I wholeheartedly agree with you. Man is an explorer by his nature and the minute he stops doing so, he dies.
Whenever someone complains to me that “we’re wasting so much money on all this space stuff” I tell them: name one advance in the last 40 years or so, in any field, that hasn’t come either directly or indirectly from the space program, they try to do so but I can always find a link.