Glimpses of space physics in the 1960s and 1990s

The author describes his experiences and impressions of space physics in the 1960s and on his return to the field in the 1990s. The field has made significant progress and has changed its operating style to that of a more mature science. It has also become a more closed society with less interaction with outside groups. There is a consequent pessimistic mood including a feeling of lack of progress. The author suggests that the field should become more outwardly oriented. The opportunity presented by present interest in space weather forecasting should be taken seriously by the community as an area of applied science. Additionally, the numerous basic science questions in the field should be viewed in terms of the opportunity of sharing basic discoveries with other parts of the physics community. Examples are given of particular problems where such an outlook will broaden the horizons of space science and allow us to measure our contributions to basic and applied science.