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Mars Analog Research Stations Task Force
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Tell President-Elect Obama's Transition Team To Support Humans To Mars, Plus 2009 SEA Budget Blitz Information
No matter what side of the political spectrum you reside on, it is universally agreed that we are at a key moment in history. The current financial crisis, massive economic bailouts, and continuing turmoil in the Middle East and elsewhere, could very well result in the space program being overshadowed or downgraded from our national priority list.
There are already influential individuals and groups who want to pull
back from our goals of leaving low Earth orbit and focus NASA almost
exclusively on Earth science (or other projects). While studying our
planet is certainly important, focusing NASA exclusively on Earth
science is shortsighted and will probably be counter-productive to
getting a true understanding of Earth.
While numerous pundits will say that this is not the right time to engage in human trips to the Moon and Mars –that we need to focus our attention on other things in these difficult times – they are WRONG. An ambitious Mars-focused program is precisely what we need in these troubling times to inspire the nation, jumpstart our economy, improve our education system, and guarantee that we remain technologically competitive. Other nations like China, India, Russia, Japan, as well as the European Union, understand the importance of investing in human space exploration. We need to ensure that the Obama administration understands the importance of the Mars program.
President-Elect Barack Obama has provided a venue for you to tell his transition team what his administration should focus on, where you can tell the transition team that not only should a human mission to Mars continue to be supported, but we should invest more effort and resources into this mission.
"One thing that Obama apparently learned only too well during the 2008 election cycle was the power of a strong grassroots organization – and he apparently plans to integrate such organizations into his decision-making process," said Mars Society Steering Committee Member Steve McDaniel. "We can be a large part of the grassroots organization with your help. Weigh in your important voice at the link above, and do it now. Make sure you state that you are part of The Mars Society."
Only together will we be able to be heard above the cacophony of opinions that are being sent to the Obama team.
Of course, the President of the United States doesn't make decisions alone. Funding for a human mission to Mars must have the support of the United States Congress. Because of this, The Mars Society will once again be promoting this effort by participation in the February Blitz, which has been run by the Space Exploration Alliance for the past several years. The 2009 Blitz will take place from February 22-24, 2009. We hope to assemble the largest group yet to educate Congress on why it is in the nation’s best interest to support human missions to Mars. We hope to see you in Washington, D.C. in February. Registration and other details will follow soon, but in the mean time, if you have any questions concerning the Blitz, please email Rick Zucker at rick.zucker@nss.org.
While numerous pundits will say that this is not the right time to engage in human trips to the Moon and Mars –that we need to focus our attention on other things in these difficult times – they are WRONG. An ambitious Mars-focused program is precisely what we need in these troubling times to inspire the nation, jumpstart our economy, improve our education system, and guarantee that we remain technologically competitive. Other nations like China, India, Russia, Japan, as well as the European Union, understand the importance of investing in human space exploration. We need to ensure that the Obama administration understands the importance of the Mars program.
President-Elect Barack Obama has provided a venue for you to tell his transition team what his administration should focus on, where you can tell the transition team that not only should a human mission to Mars continue to be supported, but we should invest more effort and resources into this mission.
"One thing that Obama apparently learned only too well during the 2008 election cycle was the power of a strong grassroots organization – and he apparently plans to integrate such organizations into his decision-making process," said Mars Society Steering Committee Member Steve McDaniel. "We can be a large part of the grassroots organization with your help. Weigh in your important voice at the link above, and do it now. Make sure you state that you are part of The Mars Society."
Only together will we be able to be heard above the cacophony of opinions that are being sent to the Obama team.
The Space Exploration Alliance February Blitz
Of course, the President of the United States doesn't make decisions alone. Funding for a human mission to Mars must have the support of the United States Congress. Because of this, The Mars Society will once again be promoting this effort by participation in the February Blitz, which has been run by the Space Exploration Alliance for the past several years. The 2009 Blitz will take place from February 22-24, 2009. We hope to assemble the largest group yet to educate Congress on why it is in the nation’s best interest to support human missions to Mars. We hope to see you in Washington, D.C. in February. Registration and other details will follow soon, but in the mean time, if you have any questions concerning the Blitz, please email Rick Zucker at rick.zucker@nss.org.
