Thanks Rob, I enjoy a good discussion. For me, it is humbling to be among space experts, being rather terrestrial myself. But it's all the same thing, ain't it? Variations on a theme? A system of systems? An endless delight of exploration? There's a cool word: consilience: means moving through the sciences for ultimate understanding. While "speciallization is for insects" it's impossible to be omni-fluent in the sciences. I suppose it is the same thing as moving though scales of observation; one should move observation through the sciences as well (and humanities, politics, metaphysics...) I dunno, getting tired....reading too much philosophy...too much time on the highway ...

If imagination is, as Albert said, as important as knowledge; then I'd have to add enthusiasm, curiosity, and awe into the top five.