Count the days since ISS was established - seven thousand, three hundred and five - an uninterrupted twenty years of human habitation in space. For two decades now, previously competing nations have peacefully cooperated showing slow incremental success with no end in sight. Though the operational lifetime of the station behooves prudent discussion, so do myriad plans for extensions and expansion. This column faithfully observed the origin of this achievement, an accomplishment unappreciated by any civilization in known history, and for all that can be evidenced also our lost antediluvian civilization recalled now only by their mute mighty devices.

Count the ways that Star Trek at the time of its creation and development was intentionally supposed to be about we the people specifically. It was a projection that made some incredible (and some not particularly so) predictions anticipating the development of humanity beyond our global cradle. The future shown in the original series was filled with the spirit of Apollo, not only that of the United States of America but, as the plaques left behind on the moon literally read, "For All Mankind." It was our future, for all of us. (It's not at all clear what message contemporary programs tagged as Star Trek represent.)

Count the space void yet full of every resource that humans might want here on the planet Earth, each found in abundance in the near asteroids alone. All that matters lies reasonably within our pre-warp grasp, as reusable rocket technology matures in recognition of our identity as a space-going race. For those with altruistic intent towards their species this seems a win for all, however the reality is some recognizable forces motivated by control exist without any such intent and in fact act with great animosity towards a free humanity.

Thus the necessary and sufficient change must come from within, and this is the significant challenge of these days. It is not insurmountable indeed our path of promise cannot avoid it. Feeding the darker part of our nature, choosing fear and not faith, is just not how grups should behave. There's too much tendency, too much temptation, to destroy rather than create, and that is about the worst mission plan any team can adopt. Look up! An example has been established in the heavens, circling our home sixteen times a day, brighter than any pole star. The common future into which we boldly go will contain unimagined wonders and bounties. Everything involved with a bright and promising future is ours, if only we can count.


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