When I was a boy I used to visit a local park daily with my brother, best friend and our dog Tuppence. This park was huge, 190 acres, and possessed so many levels of adventure. . .a vast world for three curious boys and a dog to discover.
Today the Red Planet has a new visitor, “Curiosity” has landed. Science fiction has dreamed up some amazing stories over the years; but nothing quite so fantastic as the incredible feat that is “Curiosity”. Whilst giving the nod to the multi-national teams and ingenuity that built and created this mission; one must offer a standing ovation to the Ameicans. As much as they piss me off from time to time with their bizarre attitudes this, like their Apollo missions, in full glare of public attention, is a splendid, remarkable and phenomenally amazing achievement. . .and that is an understatement to be sure. Parachutes, rockets and sky cranes oh my!
To wax lyrical here, this, to me, as akin to art. In the presence of or within earshot of art I have been known to unashamedly tear up . The genius and beauty of humanity simmering in us all given life with each brush stroke, chord or rocket thrust. Watching Curiosity I felt like that boy walking through the park gates toward endless possibilities. I wish I could hug all the NASA technicians and scientists that made all this possible again.
Is this the beginning, are we stepping out into that vast parkland of the universe and launching tremendous adventures of discovery?
Yes.