Is the space-race over?

For decades, our quest to explore space has been a symbol of the American power, leadership, ambition and ingenuity. But largely because of financial weakness, American space dominance seems to be slipping away. Some even now predict the "space-race" is over. However, the truth is completely the opposite. We have not even begun!

Existing budget restrictions compounded by the global financial crisis are constraining NASA in ways never before experienced. As a leading economist recently stated in a BBC News interview, alluding to Hank Paulson begging congressional leaders to pass the financial bailout plan, "How symbolic that Chinese astronauts take a spacewalk while the US Treasury Secretary is on his knees" (October 1, 2008).

Budget constraints are now forcing NASA to plan more than 8000 job cuts and retire its aging space shuttle fleet years before the agency has an alternate transport vehicle in place. So, how do we intend to put astronauts and payload into space?

Planners now intend to rely "entirely upon Russian Soyuz capsules and rockets to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station for half a decade." Director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University noted, "It is our fault for not having a replacement for the shuttle much earlier than Orion will be available. It puts Russia in a very powerful position" (CNN.com, August 14, 2008).

What an embarrassment for the once-mighty US space program! And, how long can we depend on friendly support from Russia, China or others to transport our astronauts and our payloads into space?

In the midst of very provocative military saber-rattling, as Russia recently flew nuclear-capable Tu-160 bombers to Venezuela and the Russian navy prepares to participate in joint war exercises with Venezuela as a show of force in "our backyard"; and as China cancels US military communication and meetings because of their anger over our weapons sale to Taiwan, depending on Russian or Chinese good will seems quite naïve.

So, what is the future of US space exploration? Will your children's children explore distant planets and distant moons? The word of God holds the answers.

Despite what the vast majority of ministers and priests incorrectly teach, a Christian's reward is not to go to heaven after death. Jesus made it abundantly clear that no one has ascended to heaven (John 3:13); not Abraham, not Moses, not Stephen the Martyr, not your relatives – no one, except Christ Himself. The truth is that Christ will return to this earth to establish His government here – on the earth (Revelation 11:15; James 2:5; Matt 5:5).

Then, Christ will reign with His saints who have kept His commandments, including His Sabbaths (1 John 5:2-3). The saints will be transformed into spirit beings and will rule with Him forever (1 Thessalonians 2:12; Revelation 20:6). They will become the awesome children of God, superior even to angels, and will shine like the very stars of heaven (Daniel 12:2-3; Hebrews 2:5-8).

At this time, our space exploration will truly begin! We will "inherit all things," meaning the entire universe – all the stars, galaxies and planets throughout the vastness of space, and will enjoy eternity with God our Father and Christ our Elder Brother! We will then look back at our current meager attempts to escape the earth's immediate proximity as utterly unimpressive.

This is our future and our children's future – if we submit to God now strive to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Request our free booklet Armageddon and Beyond, and watch the Tomorrow's World telecasts to learn more.

If you answer God's call, a glorious future awaits you!