The Blitz comes at a crucial moment in the development of our future space goals. In addition to the annual pressures that come with the release of the President's budget request the week before, there are numerous efforts in Congress to either delay or derail NASA's Moon-Mars plans. We intend for the Blitz to make a powerful, broad-based statement in support of space exploration. We also need to make sure that the anti-Mars language that ended up in the final FY08 budget does not find its way on the FY09 budget. Also, other innovative and potentially groundbreaking programs such as COTS (Commercial Orbital Transportation Service) are under attack. We can't let the anti-space exploration advocates will this battle.

We will have a new President of the United States in less than one year and we must make sure that NASA is fully funded so that we can continue to explore the solar system. The next few years are critical to our human space program. The decisions made during this time period WILL determine if we return to the Moon and then go on to Mars (and how long it will take). You CAN help shape these decisions.

Come join space advocates from around the country to let Congress know that there is strong constituent support for an ambitious space program. You will find this experience rewarding and a lot of fun - many previous attendees have come in nervous and left excited! We will provide a training session on Sunday afternoon plus all of the materials you need for meetings on Monday and Tuesday.

This event will not be successful without your help. Please JOIN US from February 10-12, 2008 to make YOUR voices heard. See you in Washington, D.C. To register for this event, go to http://www.spaceexplorationalliance.org/blitz/.

Submit a Question to the Presidential Debates

At the end of this month, both the Democratic and the Republican candidates for president will be participating in the CNN/Politico/LA Times debates (the Republican will debate on January 30th and the Democrats will debate on January 31st). You can submit a Mars question for this debate by going to http://dyn.politico.com/debate/#%23.

I was recently informed that a member of The Mars Society has already submitted a question (it can be found in the "social issues" category). It goes as follows - "NASA can and should send humans to Mars in the short term. Will you support a manned mission to Mars, or will you keep NASA's hands tied by not giving them this mission that is worthy of the $16 billion they spend each year?". You can vote for this question. The questions with the largest number of votes will be selected for the debates.

Whether you submit a question or vote for a humans to Mars question, you can have an impact. If thousands of members of The Mars Society submit questions or vote for a question, the debate organizers WILL notice. Let's work together to force humans to Mars into the presidential debates - again!

Mars Parties!

On May 25, 2008 at 11:36 UTC, the Mars Phoenix lander is scheduled to descend to the Martian polar surface to begin an historic search for water and indications that Mars may have been suitable for life (landing time subject to change). This landing could not have been better timed. If all goes well, we are positioned to bring Mars exploration to center stage in the heart of the 2008 Presidential elections. Since our initial announcement, several chapters from around the country have expressed an interest in holding Mars Parties.

If you would like to help with a party, but you don't know if a local chapter is planning anything, we can help you make contact with other local Mars Society members. Perhaps a Mars Party can be the founding activity of a new chapter. We also welcome our international chapters to stage Mars Parties as well.

Meanwhile, Mars Society HQ will be in constant communication with the national and international press outlets to make sure that the message of a bold human space program is heard loud and clear around the country and by the presidential candidates. We won't be wasting this unique opportunity.

What kind of events can you run?
- Organize a mini-conference. Arrange a few speakers and provide refreshments.
- Coordinate with a local museum to arrange a party or a display.
- Coordinate with a local school or college.
- Press party. You can get together for the sole purpose of contacting the press.
- Political party. You can arrange a meeting for the sole purpose of calling members of Congress.
- Arrange a social gathering for people who are interested in space exploration.

While The Mars Society HQ can't organize these events, we can provide the following -

- ON TO MARS! Campaign style signs.
- Tips for contacting local press.
- Sample press releases.
- We will help you communicate with other Mars Society members in your region.
- The Mars Society will also try to develop some simple (yet informative) handouts.

If you hope to participate in this effort by running a party or communicating with local press, please let us know by sending an e-mail to marsparty@marssociety.org. Also, if you would like to help in the national coordination of these Mars Parties, we could use your help; send e-mail to the same address.