I'm 42 and have the same dream as you. I really have no problem with government programs to explore space although if a private venture wants to do so, I have no problem either. In a way, Columbus' voyages were a "government program" funded by Queen Isabella of Spain, sometimes that is needed as a kick start and the private sector takes over, except for defense of course.
I was hoping to see a man on Mars by now, let alone "by the 1980's." Now I wonder if I'll see before I croak.
BTW, like your description of the Milky Way sans any artificial lights around, it reminds me of the descriptions that were given to me from a World War II vet when he was aboard the USS Melvin, a destroyer in the Pacific, where all lights were out so it would make it harder for the Japanese to find them. He said the Milky Way was so bright. My father saw the same thing when he was on his way to Korea in the mid 1950's on an Army troop ship.
N-Man, in the last half of the last century, about the only entities that had the wherewithall to reach the Moon, and even on to Mars, was government.
Of course, back then, most people lived in social isolation - the only news was on the radio, and as it grew, broadcast TV, and of course, newspapers.
Even telephone calls beyond a few tens of miles were considered long distance and were to be avoided except for truely important things like births and deaths and such like.
Now - or rather at some indefineable point in the future, maybe private enterprise can do a better job. I would prefer that to government, after the last fourty years.
Tagline dittos, too. :)