Hilton_2002abstr

THE REAL REASON FOR EXPLORING MARS

 

Marvin Hilton

 

Here we are sitting in an outer arm of our Milky Way galaxy. We donÕt know really where we are. We do not know our origin. We do not know whether or not we are alone in the universe. The real and very important reason for exploring Mars is to find some answers to these questions. Or at least to take some steps in finding some of these answers.

 

I have the impression that the majority of people do not like to talk about these questions. I have had people tell me that, ÒWe have no business asking these kind of questions. It is not for us to know. Only God knows those answers. These are unanswerable questionsÓ

 

Continually ignoring these questions about our origin and place in the universe is a form of evading our knowledge. That is also why, in a sense, it is dishonest for us not to explore Mars. To not explore Mars is to avoid looking at the evidence on the planet next door and to ignore our truth. Imagine how the discovery of one small fossil on Mars would affect our perception of our place in the universe.

 

When we start to explore Mars for the real reason, we will begin to lift human life to a new level of authenticity. It will represent a new renaissance, a growing up of the human family. A human family that will leave far behind the one that burnt Bruno at the stake and knocked down the twin towers of New York. Then we will become more comfortable with the real Universe, not the one that we imagine. Our status will increase in our own human eyes. That can lead only to success for the entire human family.

The real and very important reason for exploring mars is to discover who we are and our place in the universe.