Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon. I am the first man to piss his pants on the moon.

As someone who flew two space capsules and twice landed in the ocean, I can attest from personal experience how much logistics work is needed to get you home.

Mars has a bit of air pressure; maybe we can build up that atmosphere to be a bit more accommodating to humans.

Just as Mars - a desert planet - gives us insights into global climate change on Earth, the promise awaits for bringing back to life portions of the Red Planet through the application of Earth Science to its similar chemistry, possibly reawakening its life-bearing potential.

There's no doubt that there will be many trials and tribulations along the way in taming space for the benefit of all, unmasking its truths and using the boundless resources available to us. Taking a chance allows us to seek new horizons -- and we all benefit from being horizon hunters.

Unfortunately, kids are led to believe things are easier to achieve than they really are.

To move forward, what's required is a unified space agenda based on exploration, science, development, commerce, and security.