Who will be the first person on Mars?
According to NASA Administrator, Daniel Goldin, there are at least four
objectives that must be met before we can send a manned mission to Mars:
1)build and operate the planned International Space Station, 2)gain
experience working cooperatively with other nations in space, 3)develop
an affordable mission plan that can be carried out in approximately 10
years or less, and 4)allow time for improvement of the world economy.
NASA's current plans are to operate the ISS for at least the first ten
years of the next century and then send astronauts back to the Moon or to
Mars during the second ten years. Of course, the time frame of these plans
are all subject to change depending on budgetary allowances and the
pace of technological progress.
Who knows, Peter and Nathan . . . if you start planning now, maybe the
two of YOU could be the first to copilot a mission Mars!
Submitted by Peter (Canada)
and by Nathan (Walnut Grove, MN, USA)
(September 8, 1997)