21st Century Moonshot

While on vacation in Florida during the week of Oct 26, I had the good fortune to witness the first test flight of NASA'a Ares 1-x rocket ship. The Ares Rocket will replace the Space Shuttle program which is set to phase out within the next year, and will resurrect manned missions to the moon and eventually will lead to a manned mission to Mars. The design harkens back to the first moon missions with a small manned capsule propelled by a large single rocket. The capsule will touch down in the ocean upon its return to earth. While it was exciting just to witness what is hoped to be an historic launch, I am truly excited by what humankind's return to the moon portends. This is not simply an exercise in getting to the moon. Advanced technology will enable this new generation of astronauts and scientists to study the moon in ways that were impossible back in the 70's. There are sure to be landmark discoveries about our moon, the earth and possibly all of the solar system. And that will only be a prelude to the day we watch as humans, for the first time, stand upon the red, rocky soil of Mars. Until then enjoy these photos I took of the launch.