On Wednesday afternoon, President George W. Bush set the gears
in motion for the return to the moon and an eventual Mars
exploration, providing NASA the direction and foresight for the
exploration of space and human presence across the solar
system.

“Inspired by all that has come before, and guided by clear
objectives, today we set a new course for America’s space program,”
proclaimed Bush at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. “We will
give NASA a new focus and vision for future exploration. We will
build new ships to carry man forward into the universe, to gain a
new foothold on the moon and to prepare for new journeys to worlds
beyond our own.”

The president’s announcement “renews and re-energizes the
interest in aerospace,” said Krishnaswamy Ravindra, chair of the
department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. “This is a big
shot in the arm for the aerospace industry.”

Bush’s three goals for the future of NASA and space exploration
are: to complete the International Space Station (ISS) by 2010,
thus retiring the space shuttle; to develop and test a new
spacecraft, the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) by 2008; to return
to the moon by 2020, establishing a long-term base as a launch pad
for Mars and beyond.

“Research on board the station and here on Earth will help us
overcome the obstacles that limit exploration. Through these
efforts, we will develop the skills and techniques necessary to
sustain further space exploration,” Bush said.

The CEV will be capable of carrying astronauts and scientists to
the ISS after the shuttle is retired. Its main purpose would be to
carry astronauts beyond Earth’s orbit into other worlds, Bush said.
The current proposal calls for robotic missions to the lunar
surface to research and prepare for human exploration by 2008. The
ultimate goal is to enable humans to live and work on the moon for
extended periods.

“Returning to the moon is an important step for our space
program. With the experience and knowledge gained on the moon, we
will then be ready to take the next steps of space exploration:
human missions to Mars and to worlds beyond,” Bush said.

“It is very important for humans to return to the moon, not just
for the purposes of going to Mars, but for those far greater. The
moon holds the key to cheaper energy, such as solar energy beamed
to Earth via microwave in addition to collecting helium-3 for use
of rocket fuel,” said Mike Cunico, a junior in aerospace
engineering and two-tour intern at Johnson Space Center.

Currently NASA is working under a five-year budget plan of $86
billion. Under Bush’s proposed plan the undertakings will come from
reallocating $11 billion within that budget. In addition, Bush will
ask Congress to increase NASA’s budget by approximately $1 billion
over the next five years.

“The $11 billion Bush plans on redirecting from other NASA
programs may hinder his own goals, if the money is not carefully
managed, and not just space but the other benefits NASA provides to
general and commercial aviation in addition to defense research,”
said Michael Jennings, a senior in aerospace engineering.

Although Bush’s timeline extended to 2020, financial details
were only announced through 2008 (when his term would end, if
re-elected). The majority of Bush’s space initiative would be in
the hands of a future administration.

“Overall the plan is not bad, but the money first must be
approved by Congress before any of these steps can be taken and
future administrators must support these goals,” Jennings said.

“For many years now, humans have ventured into space but have
always dreamed of traveling to worlds beyond. Bush’s proposal
directed the country in the first steps to realizing that dream. I
only hope that Congress has enough wisdom and foresight to follow
through by approving the president’s budget plans for NASA and the
future of space exploration,” Cunico said.