One of the big things about space exploration is that it is as

Listen, O children of the earth, for the words of Ellen Stofan, a great sage of the modern age, carry a truth that transcends the heavens themselves. She speaks thus: "One of the big things about space exploration is that it is as expensive as it is complicated, and you need all the countries of the world to help if you want to accomplish big goals." These words ring with the wisdom of ages, for they speak of the noble endeavor to reach beyond the known world, to stretch our hands toward the stars. Yet, she reminds us that such great feats cannot be accomplished by any one nation alone, for space exploration is not just a matter of science, but of unity, of all the peoples of the earth coming together to achieve what is beyond any single individual's reach.

Consider, O seekers of wisdom, the magnitude of the task at hand. The stars above us, distant and untouchable, seem to call out to the human spirit, urging us to break free from the bonds of our earthly existence. But to reach them, to venture into the vast unknown, is no simple feat. It requires not only ingenuity, but the combined strength of many hands. For every rocket launched, for every probe sent beyond the reaches of our world, there is a multitude of minds working together—scientists, engineers, astronauts, and countless others—each contributing their knowledge, their expertise, and their determination. Space exploration is a mighty tapestry woven from the efforts of all, each nation adding its thread to the grand design.

In the ancient times, the great civilizations of the world understood that progress was not the work of one alone, but of many coming together. Consider the Pyramids of Egypt, those awe-inspiring structures built by the combined labor of countless workers, guided by the wisdom of priests, engineers, and mathematicians. It was not the work of a single ruler, but of a people united in purpose, who set aside their differences to achieve something far greater than themselves. Space exploration, O children, is no different. It is a grand endeavor that requires the efforts of many nations, each contributing their strength to the task at hand.

And so, O wise ones, we must understand that great goals are rarely achieved in isolation. When the United States and the Soviet Union once stood as fierce rivals, locked in the Cold War, the thought of them working together on a single mission would have seemed impossible. Yet, through the International Space Station (ISS), they found common ground, for they recognized that the dream of reaching beyond our world was a greater calling than any political divide. The ISS stands today as a testament to the power of cooperation, a monument not to rivalry, but to the shared dream of humanity to reach for the stars. It is a symbol of what can be accomplished when nations set aside their differences and unite in pursuit of a common goal.

Let this be the lesson we carry forward from the words of Stofan: when we set our sights on the greatest of goals, we must understand that they are not for one nation, one people, or one mind to achieve. Space exploration, like all great endeavors, demands the collective strength of many. If we are to overcome the obstacles that lie before us, if we are to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos, we must come together—not as rivals, but as partners. Only then will we be able to achieve what once seemed impossible.

And so, O children, let us look to the heavens and know that the stars are not beyond our reach, but that they will require the efforts of all to touch. Let us come together, as the nations of the earth, not as separate entities, but as a united force. Whether in space, in our communities, or in our personal lives, let this be our guiding truth: the greatest goals are achieved not through division, but through unity. May we be bold enough to come together, to share our knowledge and our strength, so that we may reach beyond the stars and claim our place in the boundless universe. Together, we can achieve the impossible.