Ms Simone, Ms Simone! This may be a random question, but what are your feelings about this whole Mars thing?

I think space missions, particularly ones that do new things, are important to the national and global psyche. I really do. Forget that space exploration has been a massive boon to our knowledge and science and industry…I think it’s vital for us as humans to stretch further and reach higher. I think we wither without that.

It takes a cold heart and a weak imagination indeed not to be thrilled and moved by this mission. I think it puts our petty squabbles in pinpoint perspective. It makes us think bigger and dream better.

That probably sounds a little touchy-feely.

But if doesn’t mean it isn’t true.