“Man is an artifact designed for space travel. He is not designed to remain in his present biologic state any more than a tadpole is designed to remain a tadpole.”
– William Burroughs, Author (1914 – 1997)
Neil Armstrong, the first human to set foot on the Moon, was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio. From an early age, Armstrong was fascinated by flight, earning his pilot’s license before he could legally drive a car. After studying aeronautical engineering at Purdue University on a Navy scholarship, Armstrong served as a … Read More “Neil Armstrong (1930 – 2012)” »
Sally Ride, a trailblazing astronaut and physicist, made history as the first American woman in space and became an inspiration for generations of scientists and explorers. Born on May 26, 1951, in Los Angeles, California, Ride showed early promise in both academics and athletics. She attended Stanford University, earning bachelor’s degrees in English and Physics, … Read More “Sally Ride (1951 – 2012)” »
Michael Collins, often dubbed “the forgotten astronaut,” played a crucial role in one of humanity’s greatest achievements: the first Moon landing. Born on October 31, 1930, in Rome, Italy, where his father was stationed as an Army officer, Collins developed a passion for aviation early in life. He graduated from the United States Military Academy … Read More “Michael Collins (1930 – 2021)” »
John Glenn was a pioneering American astronaut, decorated military pilot, and long-serving U.S. Senator whose remarkable career spanned decades of public service. Born in Cambridge, Ohio, on July 18, 1921, Glenn developed a passion for flight early in life. He studied engineering at Muskingum College before enlisting in the Navy in 1942 following the attack … Read More “John Glenn (1921 – 2016)” »
“War and space exploration are alternative uses of the assertive, exploratory energies that are so characteristic of human beings. They may also be mutually exclusive because if one occurs on a massive scale, the other probably will not.”
– Frank White, The Overview Effect, 1981
“The moon is a loyal companion. It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light.
The moon understands what it means to be human. Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.”
– Tahereh Mafi, from her book “Shatter Me”