I also had a genetic tendency toward alcoholism. [Both of his
parents suffered from the disease.] That eventually reached its peak in
1976 and 1977. Recovery was not easy. Perhaps the most challenging
turnaround was accepting the need for assistance and help. Looking back
at it now--with over 22 years of sobriety--this was probably one of my
greatest challenges. But it has also been one of the most satisfying
because it has given me a sense of comfort and ease with where I am
now.
RE: You went to the moon, fought depression, even served as the
chairman of the National Mental Health Association. Now you have been
setting your sights on new tasks, such as getting us back to the moon and
even beyond to Mars. What's your vision?
BA: Mars is there, waiting to be reached. But we need an
evolutionary set of objectives of where we're going. Our overall
objective should be one that makes use of space transportation. Yet in
order to do that, we have to reduce the cost of getting into space,
increase public involvement and build the next generation space shuttle
that can carry an adequate number of people. It will take some
significant engineering feats as well as a better understanding of
physics.
Tourism is a $4 trillion industry, but it's limited to the surface
of Earth. With funds from Congress, ShareSpace is gradually enlightening
the public. It is currently doing a study on space transportation. I
think humans will reach Mars, and I would like to see it happen in my
lifetime.
RE: What do you say to the people who think that our efforts need
to be focused here on Earth?
BA: Well, we can continue to try and clean up the gutters all over
the world and spend all of our resources looking at just the dirty spots
and trying to make them clean. Or we can lift our eyes up and look into
the skies and move forward in an evolutionary way; not trying to solve
all things at once, but doing it at a gradual pace. All sorts of things
will come as a result of investing in new pioneering efforts. Yes, it
seems absurd to go that far away, but bringing back resources could make
a big change in the way we operate here on Earth.
RE: Are we alone in the universe?
BA: Well, that's hard to say. There's absolutely no evidence. But
[space] is so enormous, so vast, there may be rudimentary forms of life
developing in many places--thousands, tens of thousands, millions of
places.
RE: What's your bottomline message to Americans growing up
today?
BA: There's a need for accepting responsibility--for a person's
life and making choices that are not just ones for immediate short-term
comfort. You need to make an investment, and the investment is in health
and education. These things don't give you an immediate payoff. But as
you proceed through life with arms outstretched, gathering opportunities
and picking the ones that are appropriate, good fortune will come our
way.
RE: If you could accomplish anything during the remaining years of
your life, what would that be?
BA: I'd like to communicate the concepts I have. I'd like to gather
people who can implement my vision and work on the future of the space
program. That is--transportation in space and how to get there in a
progressive way. I want to exhibit the human abilities of creativity and
communication for the betterment of all.
Tags:
alter ego,
amelia earhart,
american icon,
astronaut buzz aldrin,
buzz lightyear,
charles lindbergh,
combat missions,
distinguished flying cross,
driggs,
drive cars,
fellow astronaut,
fictional book,
market space,
moonwalker,
nonprofit company,
return maps,
space tourism industry,
spacecraft rendezvous,
walk on the moon,
zero gravity
