The Orlando Sentinel (Florida) newspaper gives a good account for NASA’s plans to go to the Moon, now over thirty-eight years after Apollo 11 first landed on the Moon on July 20, 1969, with astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

The Orlando Sentinel article is found at: “NASA outlines plans for moon and Mars”

NASA’s plan to return to the lunar surface is based on President George Bush’s New Vision for Space Exploration Program.

Information on this program is found at the White House website “President Bush Announces New Vision for Space Exploration Program”.

The website states, “The President committed the United States to a long-term human and robotic program to explore the solar system, starting with a return to the Moon that will ultimately enable future exploration of Mars and other destinations."

However, another article by Popular Mechanics magazine questions whether the Moon problem is the best way to prepare for flights to the planet Mars.

Please read the Popular Mechanics article "Dissent Grows as Scientists Oppose NASA’s New Moon Mission"

Whether we go to the Moon first, before going to Mars, or go to an asteroid, first, the exploration of space should be conducted based primarily on technology, science, engineering, and other such logical factors and not based solely on political agendas.

The benefits of space exploration have advanced the United States in weather forecasting, communications, electronics, medicine, and many other fields of endeavors.

With many other countries now pursuing manned and unmanned space programs, there are many reasons for going into space. There are many partners that can help to research and develop outer space.

Manned space exploration for the United States, as it should be for any country, should be considered seriously for its impact to humanity on Earth and our future both on the planet Earth and beyond it.

It should be evaluated on its long-term benefits and not on such short-term ideas as beating someone to a destination.

A steady, well planned out, and safety-conscious program will be much more successful than the “go-stop-go-stop” programs we’ve often had in the past (whether it is in space or down here on Earth).

Additional information on NASA's Project Constellation is found at: "NASA: Constellation".
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