Somewhere between the Earth and the Moon

Welcome back, or thanks for tuning in for the first time. Over the next few weeks, I plan to share with y'all a bit about my experience at the International Space University's (ISU) 36th annual Space Studies Program (SSP) hosted by Rice University in Space City. Since I've always wanted to write something, I imagine I'll sprinkle in some stories, observations, and lessons learned after ten years in the space industry.

I first encountered Astronaut Bill Anders' Earthrise quote last year at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA. More precisely, I remember really noticing it for the first time during that visit. Although I had likely seen it before in my nine years in the industry, it hadn't struck me as deeply. It's like finally fitting together a puzzle piece you’ve held many times before; timing and circumstances matter so much in shaping our perceptions at any given moment. I remember reading the quote, moving on, and quickly deciding to circle back for the hurried selfie that is the cover image of this article. What was different this time, and why did I feel compelled to commemorate this quote?

Jules Verne’s book, From the Earth to the Moon, isn’t the first story about a journey to the Moon, but it’s one of the best known. The novel tells the story of the Baltimore Gun Club’s attempt to build a giant Columbiad Space Gun to launch three people to the Moon from Florida. Published in 1865, it influenced early space pioneers like Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, Robert Goddard, and Hermann Oberth. Among many other accomplishments, Tsiolkovsky derived the rocket equation, Goddard developed the first liquid-fueled rocket, and Oberth popularized rocketry and space exploration as a technical adviser for the film The Woman in the Moon.

In our Space Age’s version of "manifest destiny," these pioneers dreamed of exploring beyond Earth as the next step for humanity. This is summed up in Tsiolkovsky’s quote, “Earth is the cradle of humanity, but one cannot live in the cradle forever.” President Kennedy echoed this sentiment in his 1962 speech, “We choose to go to the Moon,” concluding, “Well, space is there, and we’re going to climb it.”

For the first 100 years of our Space Age, from Verne’s 1865 novel to Anders’ 1968 quote, the focus was on exploration. Then, somewhere between Earth and the Moon, the puzzle piece clicked into place.

In 1969, soon after the Earthrise picture, Vikram Sarabhai, the first chair of the committee that formed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), wrote, “To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with economically advanced nations in the exploration of the Moon or the planets or manned space-flight. But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in applying advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society in our country. And we should note that applying sophisticated technologies and methods of analysis to our problems is not to be confused with embarking on grandiose schemes, whose primary impact is for show rather than for progress measured in hard economic and social terms.”

In one of our classes at International Space University ’s SSP 36, humankind’s cycle of progress was described as: dreams inspiring art; art inspiring science; and science inspiring dreams. Our initial dreams of exploration inspired Verne’s journey to the Moon. This art inspired the science that led to the Apollo missions, which in turn led to new dreams about discovering Earth and new art in Anders’ Earthrise photo. I’m proud to contribute to this cycle as part of the Blue Origin team because at Blue Origin, we aim to preserve Earth while ensuring a dynamic future for humanity. This video best explains what we mean by “…for the benefit of Earth.”