Apple pie Quote by Wernher von Braun
“The first men who set out for Mars had better make sure they leave everything at home in apple-pie order. They won't get back to earth for more than two and a half years. The difficulties of a trip to mars are formidable. . . . What curious information will these first explorers carry back from Mars? Nobody knows-and its extremely doubtful that anyone now living will ever know. All that can be said with certainty today is this: the trip will be made, and will be made . . . someday.”
About This Quote
Explorers must meticulously prepare for long, isolated missions because returning will be uncertain and information scarce.
In simple terms: Prepare thoroughly for distant, lonely journeys.
Plan every detail before departure.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- space travel
- long‑duration missions
- scientific research
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What can be done to mitigate unforeseen challenges?
- How do we balance optimism with realistic risk assessment?
Even with perfect prep, unknown variables can jeopardize success.