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Volume 41, Issue 9
February 3, 2004
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February 3, 2004
Legend's View:
Red planet to thrill future Space has always been the final
frontier, explored by professionals in big puffy suits blasting off into
the unknown, to places about which most of the population can only dream.
Thirty five million miles away, a red planet waits for human contact.
Mars is now the new frontier, the small but overly present main topic of
debate. President Bush has proposed a new program promoting space exploration.
The moon, which only 43 years ago had Neil Armstrong’s size 10 grace
its doorstep, will now be a short rest stop for the long haul to Mars.
The budget will focus on $1 billion spread over a five-year stint, but will
also include an $11 billion allocation from different already-existent NASA
programs.
What will a mission to Mars reap? The possibilities are endless. If life
on another planet becomes an option, many will argue there will be no limits
from there.
From there, new space ideals will be born and fed. From there, the universe
is open for further investigation. And from there, life as we know it will
be changed forever.
Through the years, only die-hard fans have followed each development NASA
has had to offer, and the younger generations have been lost. Not much but
disaster has pulled teenagers’ eyes to the television for anything
other than “reality.” Sadly, NASA’s achievements are not
recognized daily.
This new program has given life back to NASA, if only for a decade or so.
Bush has proposed reaching for Mars, and although he won’t be in office
by the time everything is said and done, he still will have been the president
to jumpstart the almost-lifeless NASA.
Former President Bush pushed for more advancement in 1989, aiming at the
time for Mars to be explored by 2019. But with a budget of $400 million,
the idea fizzled.
This new program has a stricter budget, but by NASA’s numbers the
total tally will be about $170 million.
That’s a large price tag for some red dust. But the truth is it’s
more than that. America has always been the country to do, not to be overshadowed
and not to be outdone.
Will this new endeavor spark more space races similar to the old Soviet-America
races or will it bring in newcomers? China has already announced some strides
in exploration programs. Competition is good and Americans thrive on it.
With Opportunity, the new robotic rover to break ground on Mars, the future
remains bright for space exploration. With millions of dollars floating
toward a space-friendly future, the youth of tomorrow may have something
better to watch.
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