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The greatest gain from space travel consists in the extension of our knowledge. In a hundred years this newly won knowledge will pay huge and unexpected dividends.
Wernher Von Braun
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Space travel enhances our understanding of the universe, leading to future benefits.

Wernher Von Braun emphasizes that the primary benefit of space travel is the expansion of human knowledge. He predicts that this knowledge, although it may not provide immediate rewards, will yield significant and surprising benefits for humanity in the future, highlighting the long-term value of scientific exploration and discovery.

Themes

Space TravelKnowledgeScienceDiscoveryFuture Benefits

In practice

Example use cases

During a keynote speech about innovation, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of scientific exploration.

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Crash programs fail because they are based on theory that, with nine women pregnant, you can get a baby in a month.
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I find it as difficult to understand a scientist who does not acknowledge the presence of a superior rationality behind the existence of the universe as it is to comprehend a theologian who would deny the advances of science.
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Basic research is what I am doing when I don't know what I am doing.
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I have learned to use the word 'impossible' with the greatest caution.
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It will free man from the remaining chains, the chains of gravity which still tie him to this planet.
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We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming.
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