Growing up in the 60's and as an avid reader of every sci-fi book I could get my hands on I eagerly awaited each and every next chapter of "The Space Race".

My mother went to school with Rod Serling (she even got me his autograph at a high school reunion)so The Twilight Zone was a weekly staple at our house.
My school notebooks were full of drawings of space ships and alien monsters often to the chagrin of my teachers.

My goal was to eventually get a job with NASA until, in college, the reality hit me that my brain cells were better equipped for doing art than math.
So I ended up painting rockets instead of flying them.
A lot safer choice as I look back on it now.

Throughout my life I have never ceased to be amazed at the things science can accomplish to be used for both good and bad.

However, while I realize most of what we have today can be traced back to the efforts to put men on the moon and possibly on Mars, I wonder if it's time we put the same effort and expense into Terraforming our own planet.

I believe there is still a universe of undiscovered wonders right here on Earth and exploring them would yield many more real benefits which could help save our planet from the pollution and economic pressures it now faces.

Focusing on near space projects,such as experiments in the space station and possibly mining the moon, for example.

These could give us more bang for our buck and result in expanded living areas to now uninhabitable areas, more and cleaner water, cheaper and less polluting energy sources, etc.

I'd hate to be one of the astronauts who travel on a round trip to Mars and then realize there is no place to go home to.

Just stirring the pot.
Have a great one,
Carkins