Are human beings going to inhabit Mars? For the first time in fifty years, I believe it's possible!
When I was 12 years old, growing up in the rural Appalachians of Western North Carolina, I developed a keen interest in the space program. I read a lot of science fiction, I became interested in model rocketry, I followed the NASA missions, and built scale models of the Saturn V and the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM). From diagrams published in the huge Sunday newspaper that was delivered to us each week (the Asheville North Carolina Citizen, I believe), I had learned the purpose of all the major components of the rocket and lunar landing module ... I am certain I knew more about that topic than most adults ever did. I know I used words most didn't recognize (which wasn't always appreciated by my "elders").
I was convinced that, at the pace the United States was conquering space travel, that it was perfectly logical to assume that there would be manned colonies on Mars by the time I was 30 years old (18 years hence). And I decided that I would be young enough, still, to work for a year or so on a Mars colony. It became my sole goal in life, actually ... that's when I took an interest in science and technology. I was going to Mars. I was.
Those hopes were utterly crushed. I did have a good career in computer technology, but that was a poor substitute for my real goal for my life.
And now, surprisingly ... the possibility of a permanently manned colony on Mars seems realistic again. for the first time in 50 years. How can I not clutch whatever hope I can, for the future of mankind, from that possibility?
Because I have learned what God is, here on this earth. I don't belong here, although it's far too late for me to anticipate a life elsewhere.
___
Charles
SpaceX Starship Flight 10, 06:30 PM, August 26, 2025, launched from Starbase, Texas, the cluster of 33 Raptor engines fired simultaneously, precisely at the scheduled time:
https://www.youtube.com/live/TpmTivdrQiQ?si=tTcOECeBsI23nI1m&t=10745
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