A
Taikonaut: As China has ramped up its
space
program, the U.S. has sought to top
its
ambitions. But how will cash-strapped
Nasa afford all of President Bush's
plans?
Tribune de Geneve -
Switzerland
The Moon and the
Chinese; Mars and the United States
"Beijing has promised to put
people to the moon by 2025. Suddenly, the U.S. also announced intentions to
return to the Moon and even establish a base that will serve as a stepping
stone for a manned mission to Mars in 2029. So there! But who will pay… What
country will be the first to plant its flag on Mars? Perhaps the question
should be, what brand?"
EDITORIAL
By Pierre-Yves Frei
Translated By Philippe Guittard
May 27, 2008
Switzerland - Tribune de Geneve - - Original Article (French)
That is to say, Mars belongs
to the United States! It's a question of national pride. The landing of the
Phoenix probe, which it is hoped will settle the issue of the presence of
frozen water on the solar system's fourth planet, confirms this once again.
It's a great success for NASA, which follows those of the two rovers, Spirit
and Opportunity.
It's not only a technical and
scientific victory, but a political one. For just as the Moon was conquered due
to the Cold War between the United States and the USSR, the conquest of Mars is
meant to retain American leadership space. Russia can no longer claim the title
of competitor, Europe has far too modest capabilities, and there is little that
China, trying to make up for lost time, can do to compete with the Americans.
To be precise, Beijing launched
its first lunar satellite in 2007 and promised to put people to the moon by
2025. Suddenly, the United States, through their president, has also announced
intentions to return to the Moon and even establish a base that will serve as a
stepping stone for a manned mission to Mars in 2029. So there!
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
And the bill for this? The
figure mentioned is $500 billion. As a result, one wonders if all the fuss is
in-effect an advertisement. Caught up in budgetary constraints, NASA is
increasingly turning to the private sector. What country will be the first to
plant its flag on Mars? Perhaps the question should be, what brand?
[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
May 31, 2:57pm]