Cave, land, ocean, sky, space, moon, and we’ve barely just begun…

Every space faring species must start somewhere. This usually begins first with your own planet, then your orbiting bodies, the neighboring planets, soon the entire solar system and eventually, (sadly those of you alive at the time this book was written will probably not live to see this, though who knows what will be invented before we perish), the galaxy. Perhaps we will even explore other galaxies one day.

We, the human race are at the beginning of this, our story of exploration. This is our story. One that is ever changing and self-written. One that will never end unless humankind forgets its curiosity and its will to explore the unknown. I pray that day never comes.

The will, nay, the urge, to explore and seek out the unknown is one that is best known to us. Curiosity is our ancient companion. She led us out of the cave, across continents, across oceans, into the sky, and now into the black vastness of space. Away from the blue planet and her companion the moon towards Mars and beyond.

Since man appeared, we have gazed at the sky above. Some looked at it with longing and awe, wondering what could be up there but dared not to think about it and avoid the wrath that their deities would incur upon their even daring to conquer their vast kingdom. Those who strayed from religion looked on with terror as well, wondering what could be up there and fearing the wrath of any alien being that could invade and cause havoc. Most looked at it with a mix of fear, reverence, and curiosity.

But there were a brave few who looked at it without fear, without terror, for whatever they set their minds to, they knew they could achieve no matter what the risk.

What you are about to read is about those few, who in the beginning looked out of the cave and dared to explore, just to see what’s out there. They lead the march of exploration. They were followed by others, such as the Wright Brothers who first performed powered flight, Yuri Gagarin who first orbited the earth, and more recently Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin who first stepped foot on the moon.

At the time I am writing this, the various space agencies are gearing up to set foot once again upon the moon. This time, not merely for the glory of setting foot upon an orbiting heavenly body, but to explore it further and to stay there. For good.

“What is this mission?” you might be wondering. The mission I speak of is the Artemis missions, named for Artemis, the twin sister of Apollo and goddess of the moon in Greek myth. In addition to the above stated mission goals, NASA is going to send the first woman, and first person of color to the lunar surface.

Set fifty years after the announcement of the crew for Artemis 2, we’ll take another first step towards being an interplanetary species.

Amelia Wright is part of that step. This is her story.