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, which 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.

CHINA'S FIRST MANNED MISSION, 2005

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, which brand?

CLICK HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION

SEE ALSO:

Novosti, Russia
Another Visit to Mars;
'It's Americans Again'

http://worldmeets.us/novosti000058.shtml

[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US May 31, 2:57pm]