Mars: The Next Frontier

The history of our nation is closely tied with the principles of exploration and discovery. While the age of Imperialism is over, new frontiers beyond mere oceans and continents are waiting to be settled. Space has now become the new realm in which we as Americans and humans can expand our natural habitat.

Earlier this year President Bush announced his new long-term plan for space exploration, committing the United States to interests beyond the Earth’s surface. Recent discoveries on the surface of Mars will greatly aid the president’s plan of establishing a manned colony on the Moon. This colony would serve as base for sending astronauts and robots to Mars, the only other planet in the Solar-System that has the potential to sustain life.

Earlier this month NASA announced that its rover Opportunity was roaming over land that once contained water. Whether this was once an ocean or a trickling stream has not yet been determined and no actual water has been found.

However, the presence of water on another planet even millions of years ago is an unprecedented and monumental discovery. In any environment that can sustain life, water is the only element that is unquestionably present. This discovery of water does not necessarily guarantee that life exists on Mars or that it ever did. However, it does mean that the existence of life is possible, and this is the closest we have ever come to discovering other species beyond our own planet.

So how does this help President Bush’s “renewed spirit of discovery” in space? Knowing that a planet is physically capable of supporting life is half the battle. Transportation and technology are now the only logistical obstacles we must overcome before sending men to Mars.

The other aspect is persuading the public’s opinion in favor of establishing a colony on the Moon. With the Columbia tragedy still fresh in the collective mind of the American public, sending astronauts to a permanent land settlement in space is a very touchy subject. The discoveries on Mars can help scientists to better understand the planet’s chemistry, thereby reducing the risk to loss of human life.

In addition to concern for loss of life, economic concerns play a huge part in opposition to the new plan. Many are concerned that this bold space initiative will spend too much taxpayer money. However, NASA currently receives less than 1% of the Federal Budget and will continue to do so under the new plan. In addition to the federal budget, private groups such as the Lunar Republic Society are gaining support and money to help fund Bush’s plan.

For a nation that has always prided itself on exploration of every corner of the Earth, the realm of space should not be considered any differently. Space exploration and eventual colonization will aid the United States in uncountable fields, such as communications, weather forecasting and electronic technology. Not to mention its great potential to increase national security.

The benefits of space exploration far outweigh the costs, as they will help advancement in a multitude of fields, not just for the United States, but also for the world. The discovery of water on Mars marks a new beginning in space exploration and under President Bush’s new space plan, the United States will blaze the trail for space colonies.