Where Has the Spirit of Exploration Gone?

Noted space author

Andrew Chaikin

has started a video series in response to the drastic cuts proposed for planetary science. This second video in the series features Mars scientist Nathalie Cabrol, who urges America to explore space even in difficult economic times.

Chaikin says he is fighting back against the proposed cuts "with passion — passion for the incredible adventure that began half a century ago and has given us countless wonders and amazing discoveries. I'm making these videos as a call to action."

Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson is a space journalist and author with a passion for telling the stories of people involved in space exploration and astronomy. She is currently retired from daily writing, but worked at Universe Today for 20 years as a writer and editor. She also contributed articles to The Planetary Society, Ad Astra (National Space Society), New Scientist and many other online outlets.

Her 2019 book, "Eight Years to the Moon: The History of the Apollo Missions,” shares the untold stories of engineers and scientists who worked behind the scenes to make the Apollo program so successful, despite the daunting odds against it. Her first book “Incredible Stories From Space: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Missions Changing Our View of the Cosmos” (2016) tells the stories of 37 scientists and engineers that work on several current NASA robotic missions to explore the solar system and beyond.

Nancy is also a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, and through this program, she has the opportunity to share her passion of space and astronomy with children and adults through presentations and programs. Nancy's personal website is nancyatkinson.com