By Steve Krutzler / 06:50, 23 February 2004 / TrekWeb Features

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Mankind's Future Lies in Space: A Conversation with Robert Picardo
By Jacqueline Bundy

Robert Picardo is an enthusiastic supporter of space exploration. When you speak with him on the subject his interest is very apparent, as is his knowledge of the both current and upcoming NASA projects. To some extent he has used his celebrity to help promote space exploration through a position on the advisory board of The Planetary Society. At the recent STAR TREK tribute to NASA I had an opportunity to talk with Mr. Picardo about his thoughts on the importance of humans continuing to strive toward moving out into space.

"I'm a cheerleader for the Planetary Society," states Picardo. "I like to try to encourage STAR TREK fans to extend their interest in science fiction into real science and to take a look at what were doing in space exploration." He encourages everyone to visit the society's web site at http://www.planetary.org to learn more every chance he gets.

"It's been a banner year," Picardo continues. "The Mars Rovers Spirit and Opportunity are sending back incredible images and information. It's been a tremendously successful mission thus far. And a very exciting year in space exploration."

Sighting the huge increase in web hits to the NASA site and other space-related web pages since the Mars Rover landing, Picardo says, "I think that just illustrates what I've always felt and that is that the American public and the population of the world have a real interest in finding out about Mars. And they would really support a program that gives us a date for a manned mission. We just have to figure out how to pay for it."

When asked if he thinks that NASA is back on track after the set backs of the past few years Picardo replied, "I think that the reason so many people lost interest in the space program is that we were trapped in near-Earth orbit for 30 years."

But the interest has been rekindled in his opinion. "There's a tremendous passion for adventure in the average American and I think they will support a program to build a permanent base on the moon and to send a man to Mars," Picardo says enthusiastically. "Landing a man on the moon is one of our defining moments as a generation. All of that excitement and thrill will be reinvigorated as we pursue set goals and a set timetable to bring us to Mars."

Interest in space exploration and a desire to do something concrete to support NASA's goals is a family affair with the Picardo's. Robert Picardo's twelve-year-old daughter Gina attended the NASA tribute with her father and volunteers with The Planetary Society. "Who knows," says Picardo. "My daughter could be walking on Mars in thirty years."

The interest of young people like Gina is critical to keeping support for space exploration alive and Picardo thinks it is important to build on their passion. "This is the most exciting time for the space program in recent memory. If we can just keep that enthusiasm alive we should be in good shape," Picardo said referring to the younger generations.

It will also vital he added, "for subsequent administrations to build on President Bush's recent call for renewed exploration."

"I know we have a lot of problems here on Earth and in our own country that need to be addressed, but that's not a reason not to follow our dreams and our imagination and make the great leap to extend mans presence in the universe. There will always be problems and it's easy to find a reason not to do anything but the solution is to address our problems here at home as well as possible AND pursue a course where man will learn more about himself by making the great leap out into space, because that is ultimately where out future lies."