If Anyone Can, It's Rutan

I'm working on a longer post, but this caught my eye.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The government announced Wednesday that it has issued the first license for a manned suborbital rocket, a step toward opening space flight to private individuals for the first time.

The Federal Aviation Administration gave a one-year license to Scaled Composites of Mojave, Calif., headed by Burt Rutan. Rutan, who hopes to make affordable space travel a reality in a decade, is best known for designing the Voyager airplane that made the first nonstop, unrefueled flight around the world in 1986.

You should read it all.

Here's why.

This isn't just about the accomplishment. It's more than the flight, it's about the spirit.

It is about America, and our greatness as a Nation and as a People. And, it is people like Burt Rutan and his visionary designs and incredible achievements who set us apart from "them".

We are a superior cuture. No, not a race; a culture. A People. United not by blood, race, religion or creed but by the simple idea that the individual is sovereign, in freedom, liberty and in the pursuit of his dreams.

No nation in history compares.

I defer to the incomparable Bill Whittle. If you've not read his incredibly powerful essay on courage, well, now is the time.

Comments

[Acidman]

We belong in space. It is our destiny.