When I talk about PTS, reactions are always the same. One group is enthusiastic, but hardly believe in success. You get a few nice words and a friendly smile of disbelief. The second group think you are nutty as a fruitcake. You realize that by the way they avoid eye contact. Only a few belong to the third group of the really interested people. They are the ones who want to know everything about the concept, even about minor trifles.
Those are my favorites, they are the most important people, they are like me and all the other PTS members!
Recently, the question arose why we’re doing all of this. Everyone in the team have their own answer. Often it depends on the origin. The common element is the thirst for knowledge, the curiosity! Nothing´s more encouraging! In connection with a competition, it is even better! May the most inquisitive win! From this perspective, we have the best chance! Our team is not only the youngest, it is also the most inquisitive, and we WANT to go to the moon!
As winner of the X-Prize, as the first German team (even though we are on the way to becoming international, which is really great), as the first almost entirely privately funded team, as the first European team, as the first team not supported by a large space agency etc. Enough motivation for a contest! We have the ambition to take this competition and win!
The prize is not only material terms, but the gain in knowledge. The curiosity can not be satisfied! As long as space is out there, people will try to explore it!
Just when such people are coming together on PTS or certainly on other teams.
By the time we will have achieved our common purpose, doubters and those who think we are insane will have disappeared.
Until then, WE ARE LUNATICS … and proud of it!
Michael
A Part-Time Scientist
