I came across these four posters today online and I love them.  I think they originated from NASA, but I’m not sure.  Regardless of their origin, they are awesome:

When I was a boy I was fascinated by the thought of space travel.  I definitely went through a period of my elementary education when I thought I would be an astronaut when I grew up (I also had a period of time where I thought I would be a CIA assassin, but that’s another story).  The idea of more manned missions to the moon, and eventually Mars seemed simultaneously fascinating, and inevitable.  But something happened.  The space program shifted to a focus on space stations, and not only did I lose my excitement and interest is the space program, it seemed like almost everyone did.  Now, after 30ish years of passive interest at best, I find myself drawn back into the discussion.  Elon Musk, and SpaceX, as well as other influential people and companies are talking about manned missions to Mars in the next 10 years.  I can’t begin to imagine how cool the day will be when someone is the first to step foot on Mars, but it now seems like that day will come sooner rather than later.  How many people will be in the crew?  Where will they be from?  How will they be selected?  What’s it going to be like on Earth when they land on Mars?  What about when/if they return to Earth? Will they be heroes of the magnitude of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin?

30 years ago I would have been ready to sign up to go on the mission myself… today, I’m more than happy to watch history be made from the comfort of my own couch.