Neil Armstrong has died. I find this immensely sad, in that the man who took that great symbolic step onto the moon is no longer with us. What's more, he has died in a time when that feat is unequalled in current achievement and unsurpassed in human exploration.
Had someone, anyone, set foot on any third planetary body (considering Earth as the first and the Moon as the second) before his passing, it may not be quite so depressing an event in the sphere of human achievement. This having not been done, his death is a step in the extinction of humanity as a space-faring race and, ultimately, in our extinction overall.
If we as a species do not now seek to recapture that achievement and surpass it, then we leave ourselves vulnerable and bereft. We will see the Apollo astronauts and others die in their turn and, with them, witness the passing of a generation of humanity that tried to move beyond its cradle.
I do not wish to diminish the achievements of the astronauts of today, or the engineers and scientists who strive still. Great things are accomplished daily in the operation of the International Space Station and our robotic probes ─ Curiosity on Mars and Voyagers 1 and 2 nearing the edge of interstellar space ─ but humanity stays confined to its cradle. Even the ISS occupies low Earth orbit, enjoying the protection of our planet's magnetosphere. Today's accomplishments, though astounding feats of science and engineering, are cautious and hesitant.
Neil Armstrong, along with his fellows in the Apollo programme, embodied the ancient spirit of exploration. In centuries past brave men set sail across oceans whose expanse they could scarcely realise in the hope of reaching new and wonderful places. Often they were thought foolhardy, or mad, for their endeavours. Some believed the same of the Apollo programme. Today some see the human exploration of space as a waste, needless expense and unreasonable risk ─ foolhardy and mad.
The pioneers of centuries past were but the first of many and though the results of their exploration were often sullied with conquest we must recognise the optimism, bravery and accomplishment that was theirs. Neil Armstrong was one of the first, and the greatest symbolic hero, of generations whose achievements would be far greater in stature and free from the quagmire of conquest and oppression of others; there will be no natives to conquer on the Moon, Mars or other planetary bodies in the Solar system. Alas, he has not lived to see others carry the torch to new worlds.
May he rest in peace. May we not rest on his laurels.
