While some are in a tail-spin looking to for economic hope somewhere, others are looking to the stars.  No not horoscopes; the real thing, those twinkling bits of heaven. “Space enthusiasts consider themselves lobbyists for mankind, and they argue that even science fiction has practical applications.”

“Much of the world is focused on the travails of the global economy. We’re bombarded by news of layoffs and foreclosures.” There is hope hovering above our heads. Those with their heads in the stars are “making an extra effort to look beyond our little planet.  They argue that this age of uncertainty is actually a good time to dream mankind’s biggest dreams. And they’re being encouraged by space-exploration proponents who are finding new ways to involve amateur astronomers.

Last month, the International Space Station, while docked with the shuttle Discovery, was visible to the naked eye. My wife found out the exact minute they would fly over our home in Michigan, and we brought our kids out to the driveway to watch. Sure enough, at the appointed time, a clear bright light arced across the sky 220 miles above us. We were all just wowed. It was an awe-inspiring respite from the challenges down here on Earth.

“We have forgotten the thrill of landing a person on another celestial body. Could there be anything more important than reminding ourselves of just how great we can be?”