All one can really leave one's children is what's inside their heads. Education, in other words, and not earthly possessions, is the ultimate legacy, the only thing that cannot be taken away.

I'm convinced that before the year 2000 is over, the first child will have been born on the moon.

In future utopia will need to hurry to keep up with reality.

It [the rocket] will free man from his remaining chains, the chains of gravity which still tie him to this planet. It will open to him the gates of heaven.

The rocket worked perfectly except for landing on the wrong planet.

Everything in space obeys the laws of physics. If you know these laws and obey them space will treat you kindly. And don't tell me man doesn't belong out there. Man belongs wherever he wants to go - and he'll do plenty well when he gets there.

Basic research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing.

I have learned to use the word impossible with the greatest caution.

Basic research is when I'm doing what I don't know what I'm doing.