Mission to Mars Read online

  There’s a coincidence today. On this day 390 years ago, the great explorer Sir Francis Drake died aboard ship off the coast of Panama. In his lifetime the great frontiers were the oceans, and an historian later said, “He lived by the sea, died on it, and was buried in it.” Well, today we can say of the Challenger crew: Their dedication was, like Drake’s, complete.

  The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and “slipped the surly bonds of earth” to “touch the face of God.”

  George H. W. Bush (1989–1993)

  President George H. W. Bush (the first Bush in office) supported space development and exploration, ordering a bump in NASA’s budget in tough economic times. His administration also commissioned a report on the future of NASA, which came to be known as the Augustine report when it was published in 1990.

  Bush had big dreams for the American space program. In July 1989—the 20th anniversary of the first manned moon landing—he announced a bold plan that came to be known as the Space Exploration Initiative. SEI proposed the construction of a space station called Freedom, an eventual permanent presence on the moon, and, by 2019, a manned mission to Mars.

  These ambitious goals were estimated to cost at least $500 billion over the ensuing 20 to 30 years. Many in Congress balked at the high price tag, and the initiative was never implemented.

  Remarks on the 20th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing

  National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.

  July 20, 1989

  Behind me stands one of the most visited places on Earth, a symbol of American courage and ingenuity. And before me stand those on whose shoulders this legacy was built: the men and women of the United States astronaut corps. And we are very proud to be part of this unprecedented gathering of America’s space veterans and to share this stage with three of the greatest heroes of this or any other century: the crew of Apollo 11.

  It’s hard to believe that 20 years have passed. Neil [Armstrong] and Buzz [Aldrin], who originated the moonwalk 15 years before Michael Jackson ever even thought of it. And Michael Collins, former director of this amazing museum and the brave pilot who flew alone on the dark side of the Moon while Neil and Buzz touched down—Mike, you must be the only American over age 10 that night who didn’t get to see the Moon landing …

  Project Apollo, the first men on the Moon—some called it quixotic, impossible—had never been done. But America dreamed it, and America did it. And it began on July 16th, 1969. The Sun rose a second time that morning as the awesome fireball of the Saturn V lifted these three pioneers beyond the clouds. A crowd of one million, including half of the United States Congress, held its breath as the Earth shook beneath their feet and our view of the heavens was changed forevermore.

  Three days and three nights they journeyed. It was a perilous, unprecedented, breathtaking voyage. And each of us remember the night …

  The landing itself was harrowing. Alarms flashed, and a computer overload threatened to halt the mission while Eagle dangled thousands of feet above the Moon. Armstrong seized manual control to avoid a huge crater strewn with boulders. With new alarms signaling a loss of fuel and the view now blocked by lunar dust, Mission Control began the countdown for a mandatory abort.

  America, indeed the whole world, listened—a lump in our throat and a prayer on our lips. And only 20 seconds of fuel remained. And then out of the static came the words: “Houston—Tranquility Base here: The Eagle has landed.”

  … Apollo is a monument to our nation’s unparalleled ability to respond swiftly and successfully to a clearly stated challenge and to America’s willingness to take great risks for great rewards. We had a challenge. We set a goal. And we achieved it.

  So, today is not only an occasion to thank these astronauts and their colleagues—the thousands of talented men and women across the country whose commitment, creativity, and courage brought this dream to life—it’s also a time to thank the American people for their faith, because Apollo’s success was made possible by the drive and daring of an entire nation committed to a dream.

  In the building behind me are the testaments to Apollo and to what came before—the chariots of fire flown by Armstrong, Yeager, Lindbergh, and the Wrights … [S]pace is the inescapable challenge to all the advanced nations of the Earth. And there’s little question that, in the 21st century, humans will again leave their home planet for voyages of discovery and exploration. What was once improbable is now inevitable. The time has come to look beyond brief encounters. We must commit ourselves anew to a sustained program of manned exploration of the solar system and, yes, the permanent settlement of space. We must commit ourselves to a future where Americans and citizens of all nations will live and work in space.

  And today, yes, the U.S. is the richest nation on Earth, with the most powerful economy in the world. And our goal is nothing less than to establish the United States as the preeminent spacefaring nation …

  In 1961 it took a crisis—the space race—to speed things up. Today we don’t have a crisis; we have an opportunity. To seize this opportunity, I’m not proposing a 10-year plan like Apollo; I’m proposing a long-range, continuing commitment. First, for the coming decade, for the 1990’s: Space Station Freedom, our critical next step in all our space endeavors. And next, for the new century: Back to the Moon; back to the future. And this time, back to stay. And then a journey into tomorrow, a journey to another planet: a manned mission to Mars.

  Each mission should and will lay the groundwork for the next. And the pathway to the stars begins, as it did 20 years ago, with you, the American people. And it continues just up the street there, to the United States Congress, where the future of the space station and our future as a spacefaring nation will be decided.

  And, yes, we’re at a crossroads. Hard decisions must be made now as we prepare to enter the next century. As William Jennings Bryan said, just before the last turn of the century: “Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved.”

  And to those who may shirk from the challenges ahead, or who doubt our chances of success, let me say this: To this day, the only footprints on the Moon are American footprints. The only flag on the Moon is an American flag. And the know-how that accomplished these feats is American know-how. What Americans dream, Americans can do. And 10 years from now, on the 30th anniversary of this extraordinary and astonishing flight, the way to honor the Apollo astronauts is not by calling them back to Washington for another round of tributes. It is to have Space Station Freedom up there, operational, and underway, a new bridge between the worlds and an investment in the growth, prosperity, and technological superiority of our nation. And the space station will also serve as a stepping stone to the most important planet in the solar system: planet Earth.

  As I said in Europe just a few days ago, environmental destruction knows no borders. A major national and international initiative is needed to seek new solutions for ozone depletion and global warming and acid rain. And this initiative, “Mission to Planet Earth,” is a critical part of our space program …

  The space station is a first and necessary step for sustained manned exploration, one that we’re pleased has been endorsed by Senator Glenn, and Neil Armstrong, and so many of the veteran astronauts we honor today. But it’s only a first step. And today I’m asking my right-hand man, our able Vice President, Dan Quayle, to lead the National Space Council in determining specifically what’s needed for the next round of exploration: the necessary money, manpower, and materials; the feasibility of international cooperation; and develop realistic timetables—milestones—along the way …

  There are many reasons to explore the universe, but 10 very special reasons why America must never stop seeking distant frontiers: the 10 courageous astronauts who made the ultimate sacrif
ice to further the cause of space exploration. They have taken their place in the heavens so that America can take its place in the stars.

  Like them, and like Columbus, we dream of distant shores we’ve not yet seen. Why the Moon? Why Mars? Because it is humanity’s destiny to strive, to seek, to find. And because it is America’s destiny to lead.

  Six years ago, Pioneer 10 sailed beyond the orbits of Neptune and of Pluto—the first manmade object to leave the solar system, its destination unknown. It’s now journeyed through the tenures of five Presidents—4 billion miles from Earth. In the decades ahead, we will follow the path of Pioneer 10. We will travel to neighboring stars, to new worlds, to discover the unknown. And it will not happen in my lifetime, and probably not during the lives of my children, but a dream to be realized by future generations must begin with this generation. We cannot take the next giant leap for mankind tomorrow unless we take a single step today.

  Bill Clinton (1993–2001)

  Construction of the International Space Station began in late 1998, in the middle of Bill Clinton’s second term as President. And in 1996 he announced a new national space policy.

  According to the policy, the United States’ chief space goals going forward were to “enhance knowledge of the Earth, the solar system and the universe through human and robotic exploration” and to “strengthen and maintain the national security of the United States.”

  This latter sentiment was consistent with other space policy statements from previous administrations. However, some scholars argue that the 1996 document opened the door to the development of space weapons by the United States, though the policy states that any potential “control” actions would be “consistent with treaty obligations.”

  George W. Bush (2001–2009)

  President George W. Bush issued his own space policy statement in 2006, which further encouraged private enterprise in space. It also asserted national self-defense rights more aggressively than previous administrations had, claiming that the United States can deny any hostile party access to space if it so chooses.

  Bush also dramatically shaped NASA’s direction and future, laying out a new Vision for Space Exploration in 2004. The Vision was a bold plan, calling for a manned return to the moon by 2020 to help prepare for future human trips to Mars and beyond. It also instructed NASA to complete the International Space Station and retire the space shuttle fleet by 2010.

  To help achieve these goals, NASA embarked upon the Constellation Program, which sought to develop a new crewed spacecraft called Orion, a lunar lander named Altair, and two new rockets: the Ares I for manned missions and the Ares V for cargo. But it was not to be; Bush’s successor, President Barack Obama, axed Constellation in 2010.

  Remarks on U.S. Space Policy

  Washington, D.C.

  January 14, 2004

  Two centuries ago, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark left St. Louis to explore the new lands acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. They made that journey in the spirit of discovery to learn the potential of the vast new territory and to chart the way for others to follow.

  America has ventured forth into space for the same reasons. We’ve undertaken space travel because the desire to explore and understand is part of our character. And that quest has brought tangible benefits that improve our lives in countless ways.

  The exploration of space has led to advances in weather forecasting, in communications, in computing, search and rescue technology, robotics and electronics …

  Our current programs and vehicles for exploring space have brought us far, and they have served us well.

  The space shuttle has flown more than 100 missions. It has been used to conduct important research and to increase the sum of human knowledge … At this very hour, the Mars exploration rover Spirit is searching for evidence of life beyond the Earth.

  Yet for all these successes, much remains for us to explore and to learn.

  In the past 30 years, no human being has set foot on another world or ventured farther up into space than 386 miles, roughly the distance from Washington, D.C., to Boston, Massachusetts.

  America has not developed a new vehicle to advance human exploration in space in nearly a quarter century.

  It is time for America to take the next steps.

  Today I announce a new plan to explore space and extend a human presence across our solar system … Our first goal is to complete the International Space Station by 2010. We will finish what we have started. We will meet our obligations to our 15 international partners on this project.

  We will focus our future research aboard this station on the long-term effects of space travel on human biology …

  Research on board the station and here on Earth will help us better understand and overcome the obstacles that limit exploration …

  The shuttle’s chief purpose over the next several years will be to help finish assembly of the International Space Station. In 2010, the space shuttle, after nearly 30 years of duty, will be retired from service.

  Our second goal is to develop and test a new spacecraft, the crew exploration vehicle, by 2008, and to conduct the first manned mission no later than 2014.

  The crew exploration vehicle will be capable of ferrying astronauts and scientists to the space station after the shuttle is retired. But the main purpose of this spacecraft will be to carry astronauts beyond our orbit to other worlds. This will be the first spacecraft of its kind since the Apollo command module.

  Our third goal is to return to the moon by 2020, as the launching point for missions beyond.

  Beginning no later than 2008, we will send a series of robotic missions to the lunar surface to research and prepare for future human exploration.

  Using the crew exploration vehicle, we will undertake extended human missions to the moon as early as 2015, with the goal of living and working there for increasingly extended periods of time.

  Eugene Cernan, who is with us today, the last man to set foot on the lunar surface. He said this as he left: “We leave as we came and, god willing, as we shall return, with peace, and hope for all mankind.”

  America will make those words come true.

  Returning to the moon is an important step for our space program. Establishing an extended human presence on the moon could vastly reduce the cost of further space exploration, making possible ever more ambitious missions.

  Lifting heavy spacecraft and fuel out of the Earth’s gravity is expensive.

  Spacecraft assembled and provisioned on the moon could escape its far-lower gravity using far less energy and thus far less cost.

  Also the moon is home to abundant resources. Its soil contains raw materials that might be harvested and processed into rocket fuel or breathable air.

  We can use our time on the moon to develop and test new approaches and technologies and systems that will allow us to function in other, more challenging, environments.

  The moon is a logical step toward further progress and achievement.

  … The human thirst for knowledge ultimately cannot be satisfied by even the most vivid pictures or the most detailed measurements. We need to see and examine and touch for ourselves. And only human beings are capable of adapting to the inevitable uncertainties posed by space travel.

  … And the fascination generated by further exploration will inspire our young people to study math and science and engineering and create a new generation of innovators and pioneers …

  We’ll invite other nations to share the challenges and opportunities of this new era of discovery.

  The vision I outline today is a journey, not a race.

  And I call on other nations to join us on this journey, in the spirit of cooperation and friendship.

  Achieving these goals requires a long-term commitment. NASA’s current five-year budget is $86 billion. Most of the funding we need for the new endeavors will come from re-allocating $11 billion from within that budget.

  We need some new resources, however. I will call upon C
ongress to increase NASA’s budget by roughly a billion dollars spread over the next five years.

  This increase, along with the refocusing of our space agency, is a solid beginning to meet the challenges and the goals that we set today.

  This is only a beginning. Future funding decisions will be guided by the progress that we make in achieving these goals.

  We begin this venture knowing that space travel brings great risks. The loss of the space shuttle Columbia was less than one year ago.

  Since the beginning of our space program, America has lost 23 astronauts and one astronaut from an allied nation, men and women who believed in their mission and accepted dangers.

  As one family member said: The legacy of Columbia must carry on for the benefit of our children and yours.

  Columbia’s crew did not turn away from the challenge, and neither will we.

  Mankind is drawn to the heavens for the same reason we were once drawn into unknown lands and across the open sea. We choose to explore space because doing so improves our lives and lifts our national spirit.

  Barack Obama (2009-)

  In 2009 President Barack Obama called for a review of American human spaceflight plans by an expert panel, which came to be known as the Augustine Committee (not to be confused with the similarly named report President George H. W. Bush ordered two decades earlier).

  A year later Obama announced his administration’s space policy, which represented a radical departure from the path NASA had been on. The new policy canceled George W. Bush’s Constellation Program, which the Augustine Committee had found to be significantly behind schedule and over budget. (Obama did support continued development of the Orion spacecraft for use as a possible escape vehicle at the space station, however.)