The Mars exploration program is one of the brightest jewels in the crown of American science; indeed, it represents one of the great cultural accomplishments of contemporary human civilization. It should not be discarded lightly. Rather than breaking from it, we should build on it. That is the way to Mars.

This article was originally published with the title Don't Wreck the Mars Program.

12 Comments

1. 1. loonyman 11:30 AM 11/25/07

   Well said indeed. It would be so sad if any more planned missions were cut back due to fund shuffling by NASA. It seems we are beginning to get a grip on the red planet at last, It would be catastrophic to have gained so much ground only to slip back again like we have done with the Moon after Apollo.

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2. 2. Kusikman 08:44 PM 12/3/07

   I feel this is one of the most important steps for humankind we have ever undertaken. I hope others feel the same and will voice their opinion's to those in power.

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3. 3. achoma 06:28 PM 12/4/07

   Rarely does science win with a 'silver bullet' approach. The gradual accretion of knowledge is the way to go.

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4. 4. bluegoo 06:43 PM 12/10/07

   after spending 10+ billion on that recreational vehicle/pile of junk orbiting earth with little or no science actually being done on it, I would love to see robots and rovers scurrying about Mars...drilling for water and getting stuck in the mud on the tube!
   
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   Edited by bluegoo at 12/10/2007 10:51 AM
   
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   Edited by bluegoo at 12/10/2007 10:53 AM

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5. 5. bart4bath 07:10 PM 12/10/07

   I agree that an incremetal approach is needed. The ultimate goal should be a Martian colony (taking care to avoid contamination of possible indiginous life). Only human exploration, however, will generate excitement, and real funding: A vigorous lunar colony would allow us to learn needed techniques for long-term survival, but only 2 days from rescue.

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6. 6. rjet43 07:19 PM 12/10/07

   ok lets send a lander with a robot arm with a grass seed plunger and a water tank, stick the seed in the ground with the arm, set the auto water system on and lets see if the seed will grow? then their will be life on mars. if this seed will not grow then their is no need for us to go their!

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7. 7. Johnay 11:51 PM 12/17/07

   Let's keep this decision in context: One of the last things Bush would want to see discovered is proof that life can arise anywhere, on its own. That could arouse increased interest among students in the science of biology and thereby (shudder) evolution.
   On the other hand, given his administration's track record in, well, everything, maybe I'm giving them too much credit for thinking more than one move ahead.

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8. 8. kato1979 05:37 AM 12/23/07

   The Chinese are intent upon getting into space in a big way - even to putting a man on the moon. I think this may stimulate the nation into putting more money into NASA. Also, we can't discount the potential contribution of private companies which are beginning to develop.

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9. 9. rickhensley 03:52 AM 12/30/07

   I applaud Dr. Zubrin for his continued efforts to get us to Mars. I think the only sample return mission to Mars should be part of the first human mission to Mars. If we could divert even half a percent of the Defense budget to NASA, this conversation wouldn't be necessary.

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10. 10. klaus_d 06:09 PM 1/16/08

    One of the biggest reasons to keep this program going is the unifying effect on the global population. With all localized news it happens all too often that populations are broken apart into its "special interest groups" it is time to find topics and projects we can all focus on together!

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11. 11. gaetanomarano 08:48 AM 2/12/08

    error
    
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    Edited by gaetanomarano at 02/12/2008 1:09 AM

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12. 12. gaetanomarano 08:53 AM 2/12/08

    .
    
    sorry, but, I find the Zubrin's "cheap" Mars mission project very very risky and with high chances of failure
    
    also, I don't think a Mars mission can be accomplished with "chemical" rockets like those suggested by Zubrin and planned by NASA for the mission
    
    it NEEDS a nuclear engine for the main Earth/Mars/Earth travel
    
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    http://www.ghostnasa.com/
    
    .

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