While the origins of our planet date back approximately 4.6 billion years ago, the existence of modern man can be traced back to a single minute in the entire span of our geological calendar. Humanity has progressed from primitive innovations such as building fire and wielding Stone Age tools to the achievements of industrialization and globalization. In our increasingly interconnected world, characterized by population explosion and technological and scientific discoveries, how do we manage the resulting challenges that threaten our existence? In short, how do we survive? Research suggests that space exploration and colonization are vitally important to humanity, as our planet has a limited resource base for future population support, we are at greater risk of mass extinction without widespread Cosmic expeditions promote innovation to spur growth and technological progress. In our short history, Homo sapiens has occupied our planet for almost 200,000 years. Since our origins, we have banded together in small nomadic groups, as hunters and gatherers who scoured the Earth for survival. The resources of our lands were abundant and provided ample sustenance for the development of the population. To date, our growth has exceeded seven billion people and there is no decrease in sight. At the current rate of progression, the world's population is expected to double to thirteen billion by 2067. (Rosenberg, 2009) The current population growth trend poses a substantial threat to non-renewable water and land cultivable that are essential to human survival. As our numbers increase, the rate of resource consumption becomes disproportionate to the degree of availability and replenishment. Although human survival depends... half of the document ......ieved April 4, 2012, from http://www.jayhanson.us/page174.htmRisks to civilization, humans, and planet Earth. (n.d.). On Wikipedia. Retrieved April 4, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risks_to_civilization_humans_and_planet_Earth#ReferencesTyson, N.D. (2012, March 07). NASA's Past, Present, and Future: U.S. Senate Testimony. Retrieved April 4, 2012, from http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson/read/2012/03/07/past-present-and-future-of-nasa-us-senate-testimonyWilson, J.R. and Ross, H. (2008, August 27). Benefits of the Space Program: NASA's Positive Impact on Society. Retrieved April 6, 2012, from http://www.nasa.gov/50th/50th_magazine/benefits.htmlRosenberg, M. (2009, October 16). Population growth rates and doubling times. Retrieved April 10, 2012, from About.Com Geography: http://geography.about.com/od/populationgeography/a/populationgrow.htm