Compared to the first space race, there's going to be something different about the next push for space travel: permanence -- at least that's the goal. In 1961, John F. Kennedy just wanted to get to the moon as fast as possible, but there was no plan to stay there. Now, the aim now is to go there and stay there -- wherever 'there' is or could be.

Even though the average age of our crew (excluding our commander) is not old enough to drink a beer legally, the young members of our crew come from such varied backgrounds as Polymer & Fiber Engineering, Nuclear & Radiological Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and Biology. This spread in knowledge is a far cry from the 'fly boy' credentials of the Mercury, or Gemini crews. It does not mean that there won't be any fly boys involved with the renewed space efforts, but the rational thought process inherent to an education in science or engineering is what is going to make it possible for people not only to go, but also to stay at the exotic destinations that await.

The interesting thing about being locked up with people from such varied backgrounds is the melting pot. Physicists start thinking about biology problems, engineering problems become appealing to chemists, and before you know it, a new wave of knowledge emerges that would not have been possible without mixing such different tides of rational thought.

Going to the Moon will be cool and going to Mars will be awesome, but boldly going where no mind has gone before will be the unexpected yet always welcome surprise of an exploration beyond our own uncertainties.

Jason Sherwin, PAO
MDRS Crew 47