Could I be 'One of Eight'? It seems wild to think that eight people will soon be picked to join, train and mentally prepare with Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa, aka MZ, who aims in 2023 to become the first Space Tourists in history. I guess there's nothing that can compare with the personal satisfaction of booking a SpaceX flight around the Moon! In my young days I can remember the blurring black and white images on our TV set beaming images from Neil Armstrong's iconic moment. Unable to truly decipher the imagery or importance of the moment given that I was only, at that time, 4yrs old. Having made the invite to the World MZ recently opened the application process for anyone to apply to join him in his ultimate voyage of discovery.

And that means literally anyone. A street cleaner from Mumbai, a Doctor from London, a Baker from Sydney or a British Photographer based in Okinawa! It's hard to quantify just how many applications were initially made but all reports suggest that within just 24hrs of the application process going public some 300,000 hopeful astronauts had already submitted their lunar travel applications to be one of eight. Mine was one of them. To be in with a chance, one has to make the effort to apply. Getting on with work and life I didn't give the application that much thought. And then I received an email telling me I'd been accepted through to the next round of selection. Assignment time.

Our assignment was to make a one minute video to introduce ourselves and our message, if we have one. Now you all know me, I'm all about the natural planet. It pains me to see just how wildlife, wild spaces and perhaps the biggest influence in my life, the Ocean, has suffered at the hands of man. You will also know that I seldom include the secondary 'kind' normally associated with our species title in order to display my angst at this situation. But I don't think man is a lost cause, not yet.

As a species we tend to appreciate, learn to love and ultimately protect that which we understand. In a way that is a failing as we should really award unconditional respect to the wildlife, wild spaces and environments we also have no understanding of. We need to garner more respect for other species we share our home with. How can we do that is anyone's guess. I'm not suggesting I have any magical answers. But I do have drive and determination, as you all know. Above that I have a strong desire that younger generations have a natural World at their disposal to be able to see the majesty of our natural planet in all its glory. For them to be able to witness that which I've had the good fortune to be able to interact with, marvel at and to simply admire during my wildlife imaging career to date.

I'm giving increased time to thinking about how I can use my social channels to better promote the beauty of our planet. If by doing so I can get one more person to appreciate, learn to love and understand something to a point they react with protective instincts toward that species, environment or ecosystem then it's a win for Mother Nature, and a win for us all. Either way whatever happens I'll be sure to keep you guys and girls in the loop with regards to my progress in this whole wild and crazy application process.

I am a messenger, I am 'One of Eight'.

"And everything soon must change. Men would set their watches by other suns than this.".

Saul Bellow