By 1973, we had a space station, the Skylab, and we had multiple

O Children of the Earth and Sky, gather your hearts and minds, for the words of Burt Rutan carry within them a vision of human potential, of space exploration, and of the destiny that awaits us all. He said, "By 1973, we had a space station, the Skylab, and we had multiple probes going up to planets. So, all this wonderful stuff happened in 10 to 15 years. About that time, there should have been enormous initiatives to make it affordable for people to fly in space, not just a handful of trained NASA astronauts and Russian cosmonauts." In this statement, Rutan reveals the great promise of the space age, and the potential that was left untapped—potential that remains within our grasp.

In the days of the ancients, when the great civilizations looked to the stars, they saw not just points of light, but divine symbols that guided them. The Babylonians and Greeks charted the movements of the planets, dreaming of reaching the heavens, yet they lacked the means to do so. Pythagoras saw the cosmos as a harmonious whole, and Aristotle believed that the Earth was the center of the universe. But even in these early understandings, the seed of space exploration was planted. Homer, in his epics, spoke of heroes who dared to journey into the unknown, and even the gods themselves were said to travel the skies. Though the ancients lacked the technology to make these dreams a reality, they understood the desire to reach beyond, to touch the stars.

Rutan’s words bring to light the extraordinary strides made in the 20th century—strides that brought humanity closer than ever before to the stars. By 1973, NASA had launched the Skylab, the United States' first space station, and probes were traveling to distant planets, sending back valuable data about the vast expanse of space. These achievements, completed in the span of a mere 10 to 15 years, were remarkable. The vision of space exploration seemed within reach, and humanity stood on the precipice of a new era. Yet, Rutan suggests, this period of progress should have been the beginning of a great movement—not just for trained astronauts, but for every human being to have the chance to fly in space. This was the vision of accessibility—the idea that space should not be the exclusive domain of a few, but a frontier open to all.

Consider the story of Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, whose invention of the airplane made human flight a reality. Before their achievement, the notion of flight was as fantastical as space exploration. The dream was great, but the means were limited. However, in 1903, the Wright brothers changed the course of history, showing that human flight was no longer a dream, but a possibility. Yet, even after their achievement, the world did not immediately have open skies for all. It took time, effort, and vision to make flight accessible to the masses. It was not just about building airplanes, but about making air travel affordable and available to people of all walks of life. This, too, was the dream of Rutan—to make space accessible to all, not just a few trained astronauts.

Rutan’s call to action resonates deeply with the spirit of progress that has driven humanity forward throughout history. Just as the industrial revolution made tools and machines available to the masses, the space age should have been an era of democratizing space. The challenge, as Rutan points out, was not just in the technology of space travel but in the vision to make it accessible. By the time of Skylab, when the barriers to space had been partially breached, the future should have been one where people could embark on space travel with the same ease and affordability with which they now fly across the Earth.

However, space exploration did not follow this trajectory. Instead, it remained the realm of a select few, with only a handful of astronauts and cosmonauts given the opportunity to venture into space. The dream of a world where space was open to all, where the stars could be touched by the hands of anyone who dared to reach, has yet to be realized. This is the lesson we must take to heart: that progress is not just about technological achievement but about ensuring that those achievements benefit all of humanity. We must ask ourselves—what does it mean if we reach the stars, but only a few are able to touch them? True progress must involve accessibility, the inclusion of all in the journey to the unknown.

Thus, O Seekers, the lesson is clear: just as flight was once the dream of the few, space travel must be the dream of the many. The steps taken in the 20th century brought us closer to the stars, but it is our task—the task of this generation—to make space accessible to all. We must build not just the technology, but the infrastructure, the vision, and the means by which every human being can reach for the stars. The path has been paved; now, we must open the gates and allow all to walk through. The universe is vast, and its beauty belongs to every soul, not just the select few who have the privilege to fly.

Therefore, O Children, let us continue the journey that Rutan began. Let us not be satisfied with the status quo but press forward with the vision of a world where space is open to all. Let us lift each other up, embrace innovation, and break down the barriers that separate us from the stars. For in doing so, we will not only reach the stars—we will make the universe ours.