As you no doubt know by now, President Bush has pulled a Kennedy and announced an aggressive plan to put people on the moon and Mars. Here are a few random, related links:
- Interview with NASA chief.
- The International Herald Tribune recommends skipping the moon and going straight to Mars.
- Todd points out that we may have forgotten how to get to the moon.
- Jay Currie is enthusiastic about heading into the ether of space.
I share Jay’s enthusiasm. Obviously, Bush’s announcement comes at a pivotal time in his term as President, and is a carefully crafted public relations move. Nonetheless, I applaud the spirit of exploration that is behind it. Humanity has always wanted to see what it couldn’t see, be where it couldn’t be. Much of our scientific development has resulted from this idea.
To those who argue about the cost (in dollars or human lives), I’d say this: what if the English, the French, the Portuguese and the Spanish had let the cost prevent them from exploration? Where would we be today? Well, I suppose the First Nations peoples would be better off, but the 20th or 21st centuries sure would look different. I certainly wouldn’t be here writing this entry. So, to quote Buzz Lightyear, to infinity and beyond!
UPDATE: Anybody who disagrees with funding the aforementioned space program should also consider this madness. Nevermind why…how do you spend US $1.5 billion on healthy marriages? Sexual aids for 50 million couples?
DarrenBarefoot.com 
I’m a big fan of science fi…. I mean space travel as well, but has Mr. Bush told us where the money will come from?
Meh, my enthusiasm is dampened based on the fact that I don’t think the expense is justified. To quote Fark, “Still no cure for cancer.”
Guy: Fortunately, being Canadian, I can bask in the reflected glory of space exploration without suffering much cost. I mean, we’ll probably contribute a robotic arm or maple syrup for the trip or something.
Kyle: I imagine if they built a fewer space-based missile shields (with an apparent price tag of several times that of the NASA budget), they might sort that whole cancer thing out.
If cost is all it boils down to, then there will never be a good time to go into space. There will always be troubles on the planet that could use the money. As with all funding, it ends up being political.