Space exploration is a big deal--a huge deal! NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has been around a long time--63 years. The goal of the federal agency, as quoted to the press back in 1958, was to "reach for new heights and reveal the unknown so that what we do and learn will benefit all humankind."

The US completed the monumental achievement of successfully launching the satellite Explorer 1 on January 13, 1958, following a series of failed launches. Explorer 1 circled around our planet and helped to identify two Van Allen radiation belts that surround Earth. 

Just before Explorer 1 was propelled up into the sky, the former Soviet Union upstaged us by launching Sputnik 1, which was the first artificial satellite ever to go into space, on Oct. 4, 1957.

From those early beginnings, the United States has been actively involved in space exploration, not only close to home, but to the moon and other planets and beyond. Since I have been young, space travel has seemed fascinating beyond words. 

The brilliant physicist and chemist Marie Curie, (1867-1934) the first woman to win a Nobel prize for her pioneering work in radioactivity, famously stated, “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” The two-time Nobel prize winner is credited for discovering radium. 

In our current climate of uncertainty, it is even more important, in my estimation, to look well beyond one's own immediate sphere and try to gain a higher understanding of life and what possibly lies beyond. People a lot smarter than I have delved into these complex and esoteric subjects--which brings me back to the topic of space exploration.

Why is it important? I think it is because it helps us to expand communication, understand our world more clearly, and learn what exists outside of our limited scope. I want to believe there are other civilizations out there who coexist wherever they are in a more unified and peaceful fashion. And it would be utterly unworldly if we could learn from our neighbors' (if they exist) scientific achievements and exchange ideas. Who knows? Maybe cancer or neurological diseases have been cured and Covid-19 was already eradicated in other places. No one can prove or disprove this unless we continue to venture out. And the space exploration budget is surprisingly modest. 

I was disappointed that there wasn't much coverage of Perseverance's touchdown on Mars a mere 10 days ago. The tape from NASA headquarters was an inspiring sight that gave me chills. This was the start of the goal to get samples from Mars to bring them back to Earth. 

Such an achievement! But the event was covered like an afterthought. This took 10 years to accomplish yet the press did not prioritize Perseverance in the 'lead story' category. This should be rethought. To me, space exploration equals hope.