Ohio researchers help plot the first return trip since 1972 while keeping an eye on Mars CLEVELAND -- Before NASA astronauts rocket to Mars, they're supposed to return to the moon in a sweet new ride to test-drive everything from high-tech maps and buggies to new spacesuits and next-generation power sources.
"We're going to use the moon as a proving ground to go on to Mars and other destinations," said Stephen N. Simons, associate director of Lunar Systems at NASA Glenn Research Center, which is working on a host of projects with scientists from universities in Ohio and across the country.
"It's a lot easier to learn how to go to Mars when you're only three or four days away as opposed to being a year or more away."
In a speech four years ago, President Bush set a goal to land on the moon by 2020 before pushing on to Mars. Although there are critics of manned space exploration and its costs, NASA is carrying on with its mandate -- at least until the next commander in chief says otherwise.
For now, Ohio researchers join hundreds of others nationwide who are busy preparing for the first moon landing since 1972.
EDITORS NOTE: NASA IS A CREATURE OF CONGRESS, NOT THE PRESIDENT. AND SHOULD THE 'NEXT COMMANDER IN CHIEF END UP BEING BARACK H. OBAMA, he MIGHT HAVE TO CONTENT WITH A CONGRESS PRESENTLY BEING RUN BY MEMBERS OF HIS OWN PARTY. RECENTLY, CONGRESS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO INCLUDE MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS IN NASA's FY 2009 BUDGET ABOVE WHAT THE AGENCY HAD REQUESTED. WHILE OBAMA MAY HAVE A STUNTED VIEW OF OUR NEED FOR A ROBUST SPACE PROGRAM, MEMBERS LIKE MARK UDALL (D-CO) APPARENTLY DO NOT.
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