Footsteps To Mars: An Incremental Approach To Mars Exploration*

G. A. Landis. (1995), JBIS, 48, pp.367-372

Refcode: 1995.48.367

Abstract:

The Space Exploration Initiative (SEI) to explore the moon and Mars, as proposed by [then] U.S. President Bush, is politically dead. It is viewed as an expensive Republican program with no place in the current era of deficit reduction. SEI, or any program remotely like SEI, is not likely to be revived and no matter how cleverly Mars advocates phrase their arguments. To succeed, a program must utilize an approach that distances it completely from any hint of heritage from the SEI initiative. The political question is: how can we advocate Mars exploration without appearing to be attempting to revive SEI?