There are currently many reasons for wanting to flee the world.
War in Europe, a never-ending pandemic, extreme weather with increasing climate change, energy concerns or the emerging global hunger crisis.
Anyone who admired the images from the James Webb Space Telescope two weeks ago - these peaceful-looking, colorful nebulae, shining stars and mysterious galaxies - must have felt the temptation to dream away into the vastness of space.
Quite a few do that these days.
There is no shortage of great visions.
The cosmic spirit of conquest is blowing stronger than it has been for a long time.
And unlike what has been the case for decades, the exploration of space is no longer to be carried out solely by means of scientific observation instruments and probes.
NASA, for example, is pursuing an ambitious astronautical moon program with "Artemis" on Donald Trump's initiative, which is also intended to serve as preparation for trips to Mars.
The European, Japanese and Canadian partners are also involved in the "Lunar Gateway", a planned space station orbiting the moon.
ESA built the Orion spacecraft's service module.
The first unmanned Artemis moon flight could take place as early as late August.
In the long term, all of this should serve as preparation for the construction of an international lunar base camp.
China's impressive achievements
China is also planning an international moon station at the lunar south pole.
The Chang'e 8 mission, which will test, among other things, the 3D printing of components made of moon rock, is in preparation.
The impressive and punctual successes of Chinese space travel in recent years have suggested that such self-confident announcements should be taken seriously.
For example, after being expelled from the International Space Station by the Americans in 2011, the Chinese set up their own station, which is currently being expanded to include two scientific modules.
New heavy-duty rockets are also being built in Russia, while India is developing its own spacecraft.
In addition, there are private companies such as those of space billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, who also see the moon as a starting point for further development of the solar system.
Both develop their own heavy-duty rockets and also help NASA with the moon landing.
But where does the current pull into space come from?
It is hardly the desire to create something better somewhere else far away from earthly problems - even if the "good of mankind" is evoked gladly and in flowery words by all actors, including China.
The focus is on national prestige, occupying space and securing resources that may be crucial in the future.
This has not changed significantly since the historical phases of terrestrial exploration.
The Ukraine war has once again noticeably promoted national competition and the outsourcing of geopolitical tensions to space.