40 years ago this week man first conquered the moon. And the first man on the moon Neil Armstrong uttered those immortal words

That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

But has it really been a giant leap for mankind? During a three year period between 1969 – 1972 we six manned missions landed on the moon. But in the 37 years since we last landed there no one has gone beyond the orbit of the earth. So much for those holidays to the moon, Jupiter and Mars. So much for that giant leap.

What did however have a giant leap was robotkind. In the past 40 years we have sent probes out of this solar system, into the sun, and off to investigate every planet in the solar system. We have landed probes on Venus. And had our best success on Mars where to this day two little robots continue to drive around, having robot fun and teaching us heaps at the same time.

But some 150 or so flights into space later what have we really achieved for mankind? We have an International Space Station that is well behind schedule but at the same time the largest thing ever constructed in space, so large that it can be seen from earth with the naked eye. We have GPS, Satellite TV, and a number of other cool gadgets that have completely changed the way we do business on earth through the use of space. And we have used space telescopes to see where no man has seen before.

So where to now? Do we go back to the moon and then Mars as NASA is now finally pursuing. Or do we just stay in orbit. Doing cool experiments and finding ways to better our lives on earth? I for one would still love to own a holiday home on Mars before I die.