Hello, I'm French; can you check my faults please? Good evening ladies and gentlemen!
First, I would like to thank everybody for being present and showing interest.
Though, who would be disinterested? Who has not dreamt about coming one day face to face with a Martian? Well, tonight, your dream has come true! Except you may be disappointed that this incredible adventure did not turn us into little green creatures ...
Our quest as Humans has always been to go faster, to go farther, and to conquer new territories. Our history bears so many extraordinary examples of what we have been able to achieve, including going to the Moon! I commemorate my colleague Neil Armstrong with kindness.
Yet, going to Mars seemed to be the ultimate unreachable goal. It was tiring, yes, to survive in off-terrestrial conditions. Have you ever bound yourself to avoid bumping into something while sleeping? And without my experiences in space, I would not be able to walk right now. I am obviously standing hard …
But this priceless journey has given our nation an invaluable title! As the commander of Ares 1, I cannot begin to tell you how honoured to have been part of it and how proud I am to have planted the flag of our dear America on Mars!
Thank you.