In the fall of 1962, President John F. Kennedy said these famous words: “We choose to go to the moon.” Seven years later, astronaut Neil Armstrong took that “one giant leap for mankind.”

Now, several decades after man’s first venture into space, we continue to explore space and plan to go a bit farther than we did before. Our next destination? Mars.

NASA’s Journey to Mars is unlike anything our space program has ever completed. Astronauts will travel hundreds of days away from home and travel farther than any humans have before.

A mission like no other requires a rocket like no other. This is what brings us to NASA’s Space Launch System. When it is completed, it will be the most powerful rocket in the world. It will be bigger than the Saturn V, the world’s current tallest, heaviest and most powerful rocket.

The SLS is also designed to be more adaptable, carry larger payloads and fly farther into deep space beyond the moon.

Space exploration is no small feat. It is the product of not only astounding innovation and dedication, but also countless hours of manpower by thousands of individuals. Many of those individuals have ties to Alabama by way of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Two engineers working on SLS in Huntsville are Sara Sumner and Mark Paxton, both employees of Onyx Aerospace, headquartered in downtown Athens. Sumner described her experience of working on SLS as a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“Every single day, we are making history, and I’m proud to say that I have a small part in what will be a monumental event for the world,” Sumner said.

When asked about the importance of SLS, Paxton pointed to the potential to inspire new generations of engineers and scientists.

“Humans are curious,” he said. “Curiosity breeds discovery. Discovery breeds innovation.” These new generations of innovators will find new and exciting ways to further the American space program in ways that we can’t even imagine right now. Some readers may be wondering why space exploration matters. Does it even affect your everyday life? It absolutely does, in ways we may not expect.

Innovations in space lead to medical and technological advances, making the lives of Americans better and safer every day. We experience the benefits of the space program when we use our cellphones to communicate, watch television or swipe a card in any of the wonderful shops and restaurants in Athens.

The next time you’re in Athens, notice the scale model of the SLS, America’s next great rocket, proudly on display in the windows of the Onyx Aerospace offices. And, as you look it over, think of all the work that your neighbors have put into this next great achievement in American space exploration. Ad astra (to the stars)!