A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.
Looking for a reason to feel proud about the United States? Look no farther than, and as far as, Pluto, which was still the ninth planet when the spacecraft that made this image was launched. The British newspaper, The Guardian, in its story on the New Horizons spacecraft’s flyby of Pluto, paid our nation this tribute:
The successful mission means humans – specifically, the US – have now reached all nine planets of our solar system.
We did it with imagination, intellect, engineering expertise, the highest level of manufacturing on Earth, and expert management. Luck had nothing to do with it. We did it because we were, and are, good — and not just good, but the best.
If we can solve the problem of visiting a planet three billion miles from Earth, we can solve the problems of keeping Earth a pleasant place to live.