Left, derived from a photo taken by Philip Rickerby, the oldest known footprint made by an anatomically modern human over 100 thousand years ago in South Africa. Right, the footprint of Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin on the lunar surface made on July 20, 1969.

Nothing like a little perspective when discussing space travel with a blog full of skeptics. Granted the distances between planets, moons, and asteroids are huge, the environment is harsh and unforgiving, the challenges and danger are unique, unlike any we have ever faced, and our bodies are frail. Maybe the solar system is too much. But over long periods of time we can and have accomplished feats of exploration no single generation could contemplate. Given more time, better technology, and old fashioned persistence it may be possible to repeat those ancient voyages on a far grander scale.