Americans seem to find their country stuck in place, with a deadlocked Congress and a deeply divided electorate. Spiritually, our nation lies stuck at the bottom of the Well, uncertain of how to break free. And yet, this is the beautiful thing about the space program: The Gravity Well is not just a metaphor.

At the same time, escaping the Well—even the attempt at an escape—will break us out of the moral well we lie in today. By catalyzing our economy, STEM, and our standing in the world, and helping ensure the survival of our species, the Well becomes more than a barrier. It leads us to... what? Call it the vault of heaven if you like. Or call it the future.