Space Facts. The Coming Age of Space Colonization - James Fallows. A crescent earth rises above the lunar horizon. (NASA/Reuters) The subject of our discussion was the future of space travel. Below is an extended-play version of the interview, with extra questions and themes. James Fallows: Space exploration seems to have lost its hold on the public imagination, compared with a generation ago. Eric Anderson: I think absolutely they are right to feel a little bit disappointed.
On April 12, 1961, the first human being, Yuri Gagarin, goes to space. So I think the reality is that space was unnaturally accelerated by this Cold War conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union during the 1960s. So that part of the industry has gone pretty well. JF: Why should people be excited about what lies ahead? EA: In the next generation or two—say the next 30 to 60 years—there will be an irreversible human migration to a permanent space colony.
JF: I have to ask—really? EA: I really do believe it will. EA: I think it's all about the economics. The Era of Private Space Travel Is Just Beginning. Space. How The Universe Works: Big Stars.