I can tell you with some degree of confidence that in the next millennium we'll see human beings walk on other planets and even perhaps go to other stars,

What will ever replace the Cold War as a driver and the impetus for doing these big space explorations?

The flight controllers, the people who manned the trenches in mission control, these were kids. They were in their 20s and 30s. And they were controlling a moon mission.

NASA had to adjust to that cruel reality.

NASA never really adapted to that new paradigm.

They met the challenge. They met it beautifully. The energy that flowed through NASA at that time, the excitement, the adrenaline, it all stemmed from the fact that space had become very crucial to the nation's reputation and strength in the world.