Selected Themes From Lunar Mars Exploration Initiative

Bob this is Jean and I'm on the surface and as I take Man's last step from the surface i' like to just let what I believe history will record that America's challenge of today has Forge man's destiny of tomorrow and as we leave the moon and Taurus lital we leave as we came and God willing as we shall return the time has come to look Beyond Brief Encounters we must commit ourselves a new to a sustained program of M exploration of the solar system and yes the permanent settlement of space to seize this opportunity I'm not proposing a 10-year plan like Apollo I'm proposing a long range continuing commitment first for the coming decade for the 1990s space station Freedom our critical next step in all our space Endeavors and next for the new century back to the Moon Back to the Future and this time back to stay and then a journey into tomorrow a journey to another planet a Mann Mission to Mars nearly 20 years ago the last American astronauts left their footprints on the lunar surface I got 2 feet per second I'm at 100 3 2 1 zero booster ignition and lift off of columia since that time America has undertaken several new space programs Roger R columia for the next few moments several potential concepts for America's Next space exploration initiative will be [Music] presented each of these Concepts depicts a different thematic approach to this initiative from Bold flights of Discovery to human settlements on the moon and Mars [Music] emphasizing bold and adventurous missions of Discovery to both the moon and Mars this first theme captures the essence of the human spirit this spirited vision is balanced by a pragmatic and purposeful approach to exploration gaining knowledge for later informed decisions of when where and how to establish permanent human outposts on other worlds continuing in the tradition established by Ferdinand mellan and Lewis and Clark the Explorers on these missions will map new worlds locate important resources push back Frontiers and bring bring this information back to support eventual human expansion into the solar system unlike their predecessors these explorers work together with robotic counterparts who perform geologic prospecting autonomous experiments and Sample return missions extending the access of humans into remote regions initially resources are focused on planetary exploration not on establishing permanent human surface settlements this investment in Exploration opens the door to establishing these human settlements more efficiently allowing settlers to better take advantage of the natural features and resources of their new worlds exploration of the Moon and Mars at a global scale provides the foundation for determining what resources are available on the planetary surfaces subsequent engineering demonstrations will refine the techniques for extracting those resources and learning how to use them human expeditions to Mars capture the same exploration intensity exhibited by the lunar missions multiple human Landings on the surface of Mars occurred during each Mission from Earth providing the Explorers access to several different regions of the planet these expeditions to Mars can occur after human exploration of the moon is well underway or highly Visible man missions to Mars can precede humans returning to the moon setting the stage for uing exploration of both planetary bodies this theme combines man's need to explore the unknown with a commitment to establishing the foundation for human expansion into the solar system [Music] system the next theme focuses on a pathway that leads to establishing long duration science outposts on the Martian surface these outposts will operate much like the present-day research stations in Antarctica studying in detail Geographic areas on Mars that offer the highest science research potential such as the extensive Rift Valley systems volcanic Shields and ancient dry lake beds this theme begins with missions to the Moon using both robotic and human explorers information gathered during these explorations will determine the best site for locating a man lunar Outpost once established this Outpost serves as a test bed allowing astronauts to simulate future Mars surface activities while learning how to live and work in a low gravity envir [Music] environment additionally this Outpost will serve as a base for Research into lunar geology astrophysics and experimental Life [Music] Sciences once confidence in extraterrestrial capabilities has been gained the effort shifts to the challenging long duration missions to Mars candidate sites for several Martian science outposts will be selected which represent widely diverse environments and offer the highest potential for extended research missions once a site is chosen for a mission cargo and piloted vehicles will land and the crew will construct The Outpost while not a permanent base this science Outpost provides the crew with a long duration facility from which investigations into atmospheric Dynamics Martian geology and exobiology can be pursued at the outset this theme uses proven technology and operations allowing near-term missions to the moon and Mars it also encourages continuing Research into Advanced Technologies these Technologies can then be incorporated into later missions to expand the Outpost and to enrich the scientific [Music] return this theme represents a strategy in which the planetary outposts can evolve into International scientific bases research labor atories or large scale [Music] settlements much like the settlers who colonized America during the 17th century the adventurers selected for missions in this last theme will or these first colonies can serve as the initial stepping stone to other planets this theme provides the building blocks for future human immigration outward into the solar system that human expansion away from Earth guarantees that mankind will become a true space fairing [Music] people the exploration themes just presented are representative of possible approaches to the space exploration initiative whatever ever path is chosen the pioneering Spirit of the explorers and settlers who Venture forth to live on other worlds will inspire and Fascinate the people of [Music] Earth [Music] oh