It is the human race's destiny to explore the great ocean of space. The last century, the new century, is a mere nano-second in the scope of time.
Millions, perhaps billions of years from now, earth will cease to exist, a cinder crisp of space dust due to the sun's demise.
The human race will have long before left this planet we love so dearly and which sustains us.
Tonight, we take a small step into our destiny.
May Opportunity be safe. May Opportunity give us that small step to sail that great ocean to our destiny.
Originally posted January 24,2004