Clarke optimistic about Man on Mars
[03 May 2001]

Space visionary Sir Arthur C. Clarke was optimistic about the manned exploration of planets, but insisted that greater co-operation among nations was important before man stepped foot on Mars, Clarke said in a statement issued to mark the Space Day 2001, which falls on Thursday.

Space Day is a global celebration dedicated to the extraordinary achievements, benefits and opportunities in the exploration and use of space.

"It's true that Stanley and I were too optimistic about the time scale, but sooner or later in the new century, manned exploration of the planets will happen," he said. 

Sir Arthur shared an Oscar nomination with Stanley Kubrick for the best original screenplay in '2001: A Space Odyssey' in 1969.

"Many of our speculations in the movie have come true where information technologies were concerned, including the global Internet," Clarke said.

He also said, careers in space are no longer limited to those engaged in science and engineering. Exploring, colonising and exploiting space in the coming decade will require the skills of a multitude of professionals - ranging from architects and historians to lawyers and accountants.

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