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Space & Astronomy

Trump urges NASA to speed up Mars mission

By T.K. Randall
April 25, 2017 · Comment icon 17 comments

Is Trump sincere about sending humans to Mars within 4 years ? Image Credit: NASA/Pat Rawlings
The US President has stated that he would like to see astronauts visiting Mars before the year 2021.
This somewhat unrealistic timetable was hinted at during a recent White House phone call with astronaut Peggy Whitson who had just achieved a record-breaking 534th day in space.

"On behalf of our nation and on behalf of the world I'd like to congratulate you," said Trump.

While the commander-in-chief seemed enthusiastic about NASA's accomplishments aboard the International Space Station, it was clear that he had his sights set a lot further afield.

"Tell me, Mars, what do you see a timing for actually sending humans?" he asked Whitson.
"Well, I think as your bill directed it would be in the 2030s," she replied. "Unfortunately spaceflight takes a lot of time and money, so getting there will take some international cooperation."

"Well, I think we want to do it in my first term or at worst in my second term," said Trump. "So I think we'll have to speed that up a little bit."

Suffice to say, achieving a manned mission to Mars before Trump's first term ends in 2021 would take something of a miracle - as would launching such a mission before 2025 - the time at which Trump's potential second term in office would come to an end.

"We're absolutely very ready to go to Mars, all of us would be very happy to go," Whitson replied.

Exactly when that will be, however, remains to be seen.

Source: The Guardian | Comments (17)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #8 Posted by HollyDolly 7 years ago
I have nothing against science.When I was a little girl I liked fossils  and thought about being a paleotoligist  or an archeologist. But there are things here on earth that need fixing.Providing better health care, taking buildings and older homes and fixing them up for homeless families and vetrans, better mental health care treatment,etc.
Comment icon #9 Posted by TaintlessMetals 7 years ago
Understandable, but those are all problems that would be almost immediatly solved by humanity colonizing space. A vast majority of our problems come from the lack of resources. Lets just look at our moon, the closest celestial body to our planet, it has enough resources locked inside to power our entire planet indefinately while also solving the ever growing need of fresh water. Beyond that we have even more resources from our closest nieghbor Mars. Once there your just a hop and skip away from the belt which in todays terms has indefinite source of almost, well, everything. And thats not even... [More]
Comment icon #10 Posted by DragonFire22 7 years ago
Or maybe more FUNDING first, idiot President?   Cut all those gas and military crap, and put it towards science and NASA exclusively?
Comment icon #11 Posted by TaintlessMetals 7 years ago
We like to be the policing force of the entire free world, so slashing any of our defense budget would be complete suicide for our nation. The only way to lesson our military budget would be if we went to a one world government, or, a complete change of american ideals. Otherwise we have simply created to many enemies and they would quickly over run us. We need to become the economic powerhouse we used to be to increase funding, or else leave ourselves vulnerable in some other area, welfare, insurance, governmental oversight, policing bureaus the list goes on and on but honestly with our ideal... [More]
Comment icon #12 Posted by mdenise 7 years ago
says the climate change denier, lol  how about saving the earth first!  
Comment icon #13 Posted by TaintlessMetals 7 years ago
And at what point did I deny climate change? Dont be a troll. All I stated is money is finite and it has to come from somewhere. Did you really only read the last comment I posted? How about you read my post prior instead of hopping on here and attacking me for correct information.
Comment icon #14 Posted by TaintlessMetals 7 years ago
My bad just realized you were talking about Trump not me, apologies...
Comment icon #15 Posted by Manfred von Dreidecker 7 years ago
That's what i was thinking, but now I see what they mean 
Comment icon #16 Posted by TaintlessMetals 7 years ago
  Well at least Im not the only one, felt like an ... a minute later once I realized it. One should always, completely, wake up before posting. Lesson learned.
Comment icon #17 Posted by ShadowBoy86x 7 years ago
Lol jumped the gun did we


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