Outer Space

Outer Space
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1) - Cite This Source outer space 
1.    space beyond the atmosphere of the earth.
2.    deep space.

Deep Space
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1) - Cite This Source deep space 
space beyond the limits of the solar system.

(Taken from Wikipedia)
October 3, 1942     Rocket to reach 100km (boundary to space)     Nazi Germany     V2 rocket, military program
November 3, 1957     Animal in orbit (dog)     USSR     Sputnik 2
April 12, 1961     Human in orbit     USSR     Vostok 1
July 19, 1963     Reusable Manned Spacecraft (suborbital)     USA-NASA     X-15 Flight 90
July 21, 1969     Human on the Moon     USA-NASA     Apollo 11
April 12, 1981     Reusable manned spacecraft (orbital)     USA-NASA     Columbia
June 21, 2004     Private human spaceflight / spacecraft (suborbital)     USA-MAV     SpaceShipOne 15P

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm a futurist. Anyone who knows me could tell you that I'm so much more caught up with where humanity *could* be rather than where we are now. Looking at the years from WWII through the late 60's one could imagine that by now we would have colonized the moon. Almost 40 years after humanity left the confines of Earth and stepped foot on another celestial body, we have never succeeded, let alone make many attempts, to return.

I've heard all the arguments -

"Why explore with humans what you can do with machines"
"What is the financial benefit for space exploration"
"We're too busy dealing with problems on Earth to be flying around in the vacuum of space!"

In my opinion, we can't afford *not* to be reaching for the stars. The psychological benefits alone are worth it. Consider the incalculable lift that Apollo 11 brought to the United States and the entire world in 1969?

Financial incentives? What about the prosperity that would ensue when an entire new industry becomes available; potentially requiring the minds an labor of hundreds of thousands from around the globe?

In my opinion, George Bush was a little short sighted when he put out a goal for us to re-visit the moon, and setup a staging area to go to Mars. With today's technology it will take roughly 9 months of space flight to reach Mars. 9 Months!!! Anybody else think we're capable of coming up with a better way to get there?

We're capable of so much more than fighting over oil, religion, and race. Who's to say the United States wouldn't be capable of forming an international alliance with other developed nations with the sole purpose of interstellar exploration? Sure, the bureaucracy would be completely awful, but it's a step in the right direction.

Back in '04 I was very excited when a private company was able to put a craft up to the edge of space. Space tourism will be an important indicator to show governments and companies how interested the general population (or rather, the financially well-off) are interested in space. My only fear is that the tourism will see some disasters that result in a loss of life, thus halting any further progress.

Keep dreaming America. I truly believe that you have yet to hit your golden age. Maybe in my lifetime I'll get a chance to take pictures of Jupiter's giant red storm from the deck of a cruise ship :)