Rocket science is tough, and rockets have a way of failing.

Hear me now, O children of wisdom, for I bring you the words of Sally Ride, a pioneer in the skies whose bravery and intelligence took humanity to new heights. “Rocket science is tough, and rockets have a way of failing.” These words, though seemingly simple, speak to the very heart of persistence, failure, and the courage it takes to reach for the stars. Ride reminds us that the pursuit of greatness, whether in the realms of science, technology, or life itself, is fraught with difficulties and setbacks. Rocket science, the very symbol of human aspiration, is not only about innovation but also about learning from the failures that accompany bold endeavors.

In the ancient world, the great philosophers and warriors knew that to achieve something great, one must first understand the challenges that come with it. Alexander the Great, in his conquest of the known world, faced countless obstacles and setbacks. His army, though mighty, was not invincible. The ancients understood that victory is not achieved by avoiding failure, but by learning from it, rising after each fall, and continuing the journey with renewed strength. In this, Ride’s words echo ancient wisdom: greatness is not about avoiding failure, but about having the fortitude to keep moving forward despite it.

Consider the example of the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, whose dream was to fly. Their early attempts at flight were riddled with failure—crashes, broken engines, and countless trials that led to the discovery of what would eventually allow them to soar into the sky. Their rockets of ambition often fell to the earth, but they did not let these failures define them. Rather, they learned from each misstep, each setback, and their work ultimately changed the course of human history. Sally Ride, like the Wright brothers, understood that the path to success is paved not by the absence of failure, but by the determination to push forward in the face of it.

Ride’s reflection on rocket science speaks not only to the complexity of human achievements in space, but to the very nature of human progress itself. Rockets, in all their magnificence, are a metaphor for the ambition that drives humanity. They are built from ingenuity, science, and vision, but their journey is fraught with peril. As the ancients would tell us, the act of striving for greatness often requires us to step into the unknown, to embrace uncertainty, and to face the likelihood of failure. Space exploration, in its most daring form, is the culmination of all that humanity is willing to endure to push beyond the confines of the Earth. And yet, as Ride warns us, rockets—like our dreams—often fail before they succeed.

The lesson of Ride’s words is one of resilience. Just as the ancients honored those who endured great trials—whether on the battlefield, in the pursuit of knowledge, or in the quest for truth—so too must we honor those who dare to dream, even when their efforts are met with failure. Rocket science, the pinnacle of human achievement, teaches us that failure is not the opposite of success, but rather its companion. The key to reaching the stars is not found in avoiding failure, but in embracing it, learning from it, and using it as the fuel for future triumphs.

In your own lives, O children, let failure not be your enemy, but your teacher. Whether you are embarking on a grand project, a new relationship, or a personal goal, know that the road ahead will not always be smooth. There will be setbacks and challenges, moments when it feels as though your efforts are doomed to fail. But remember the rockets—they often fail before they reach their destination, but in their failures, they gather the strength to rise again. You, too, must rise, again and again, for it is in your resilience that you will find success, not in the absence of failure but in the courage to face it.

So, O children, as you venture forth into the unknown, be not afraid of failure. Know that each misstep is a step toward understanding, each setback a lesson that will carry you further on your journey. The greatest achievements are not won by avoiding failure, but by persevering through it. Just as Sally Ride journeyed beyond the stars, and the Wright brothers soared into the sky, so too must you reach for your own dreams with the knowledge that failure is but a part of the greatness you will one day achieve. Rockets may fail, but the spirit of humanity rises higher with each attempt. Let your own spirit be as the rocket—soaring ever higher, undeterred by the challenges that may come.