Tennessee Makes High-Tech Leap

Some fascinating and welcome news arrived via the Atomic Tumor page where it's revealed that Tennessee is front and center in developing the technologies and programs for an American mission to the Moon.

As the post reveals, the project is termed "Constellation" and reports note:

"The eventual goal is to land on Mars. But for the near term, the Tennessee Valley complex that developed the Saturn V rocket two generations ago is again shooting for the moon.

Marshall Director David King said getting back to the moon will be even tougher than reaching it the first time since plans now call for an extended stay rather than just a brief visit.

"We're going to have to plan this in a much more precise way," said King. "It is larger in scope than what we did the first time by a long shot."

For those skeptics who feel such extensive technological programs are a waste of money, you should know the average computer in home use today is hundreds of times more powerful than the ones used during the Apollo days. It is inherent in the nature of man to learn by exploration, and the rewards are likely to affect many generations to come.

By pushing forward science and technology, the state stands to take greater strides in innovation and employment, which will serve the state far, far better than as a piece-maker of car parts.

In other words, there is no such thing as a missed opportunity - it's just that someone else will take that opportunity while negativity leaves so many others grounded.

Best of luck to all involved in the project!