When I started working with NASA in 1989 as part of a mission to send spacecraft to Pluto, I knew it would take at least 10-15 years to see results of my efforts.
Alan SternRead
The first mission to Mars did not expect to find craters and river valleys, and yet they did. The first mission to Jupiter didn't expect to find ocean worlds and volcano worlds, but they did.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Exploration often reveals unexpected discoveries that challenge our assumptions.
This quote by Alan Stern emphasizes that scientific missions frequently uncover surprising findings that differ from initial expectations. It highlights the importance of exploration and inquiry in expanding our knowledge of the universe, as missions to Mars and Jupiter have shown us features that were not anticipated, reinforcing the idea that there is much more to discover beyond what we think we know.
Themes
ExplorationDiscoveryScienceUnexpectedKnowledge
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a lecture on space exploration to illustrate the surprises that come from scientific research.
More from Alan Stern
All quotes →I can't imagine how many kids around the world will look at pictures of Pluto and think, 'I want to grow up to be a scientist.'
Alan SternRead
If two billion people wanted to watch a robot fly by Pluto, imagine what it will be like when the first humans step on Mars. It'll be the most unifying event anybody could ever put on.
Alan SternRead
We're going to find Marses and maybe Earths out in the solar system's attic of the Oort Cloud and the Kuiper Belt.
Alan SternRead
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