My main involvement in science and engineering intended for use on planet Earth has been in the areas of plasma physics and controlled, magnetically confined fusion. I became interested in these topics when I realized that many advanced space transportation system are based on the use of plasmas, with applications ranging from low thrust satellite station keeping, all the way out to very high thrust fission-fusion rockets. I also found that the knowledge of plasmas and their behaviour is very advantageous in understanding the space-environment, where humans will (hopefully) work and live someday.