The challenge of space exploration and particularly of landing men on
the moon represents the greatest challenge which has ever faced the
human race. Even if there were no clear scientific or other arguments
for proceeding with this task, the whole history of our civilization
would still impel men toward the goal. In fact, the assembly of the
scientific and military with these human arguments creates such an
overwhelming case that in can be ignored only by those who are blind
to the teachings of history, or who wish to suspend the development of
civilization at its moment of greatest opportunity and drama.
-- Sir Bernard Lovell, 1962, in "The History of Manned Space Flight"
