Dr. Wernher von Braun traded his initial dream of a manned Mars Mission for manned missions to the moon and helped his adopted nation achieve its goal within that decade. Many needy Americans during that period disparaged at our spending money just to bring back "a couple of moon rocks". The incalculable prestige and immeasureable pride of accomplishing the seemingly impossible was felt by not only Americans but the entire world as were the technological spin-offs in all fields (much too numerous to elaborate here). That money was well spent and benefitted not only our Americans who were initially concerned, but all America and mankind.
If we hope to see a Mars mission, explore its surfaces (metallurgical resourses, etc.) within our lifetime, we need now a dedicated and well funded program for moon landings and settlements to provide for a launching platform for the manned Mars Missions. We and the world will benefit again from new technological spin-offs, retain our intelligentsia pool, provide for jobs, and maintain our prestige and leadership in the world.
It's a win/win program for all and one we should be able to share with those nations willing to join us in achieving it.
Dr. Wernher von Braun traded his initial dream of a manned Mars Mission for manned missions to the moon and helped his adopted nation achieve its goal within that decade. Many needy Americans during that period disparaged at our spending money just to bring back "a couple of moon rocks". The incalculable prestige and immeasureable pride of accomplishing the seemingly impossible was felt by not only Americans but the entire world as were the technological spin-offs in all fields (much too numerous to elaborate here). That money was well spent and benefitted not only our Americans who were initially concerned, but all America and mankind.
If we hope to see a Mars mission, explore its surfaces (metallurgical resourses, etc.) within our lifetime, we need now a dedicated and well funded program for moon landings and settlements to provide for a launching platform for the manned Mars Missions. We and the world will benefit again from new technological spin-offs, retain our intelligentsia pool, provide for jobs, and maintain our prestige and leadership in the world.
It's a win/win program for all and one we should be able to share with those nations willing to join us in achieving it.