‘Unwise Pursuit of the Unknown’
Gregg Easterbrook’s article (Opinion, Aug. 24), “The Unwise Pursuit of the Unknown,” is figuratively a good description of the proverbial half-empty glass of water. The glass is also half-full, however, and all the problems and concerns that he cites are opportunities to advance knowledge, develop technology, and explore with a purpose. Thus, we have to dig deeper than he did when he simply said Mars exploration is hard, and that he doesn’t understand how late 21st-Century colonies will work.
The reaction to the Challenger tragedy forcefully reminds us that people all over the world identify with those who explore the limits. It also reminds us that humans in space should only be used for adventure that is worth the risk. Easterbrook is right: a human Mars mission is difficult and risky--but he forgets that the public is willing to make the effort, pay the cost, and take the risk, if the goal is worthy enough. We have proved this in the past.
He is wrong on his cost numbers--Apollo is $75 billion in today’s figures, the manned Mars mission would be about $50 billion, assuming projected space developments now under way. In fact, over the expected 1990 to 2015 time period for mission development, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will spend $220 billion even if no decisions or new goals are offered--allocating one-quarter of that for a worldwide goal of such greatness is not unwarranted.
Another error in his article is the characterization of the Mars Underground as being within the aerospace community. Less than half of those involved derive income from that community and no aerospace funding of any type was involved in it. Mars exploration is a popular goal.
The Mars goal could unify NASA, restore purpose to our fragmented space program, serve national interests of international leadership and cooperation, and provide a civilian project for achievement and advancements to counterbalance the preoccupation on military ones. Leaving it to future generations (or other countries) is the hidebound approach. Being too timid in the pursuit of the unknown is not wise and will not serve us any better than it served earlier nations and societies.
LOUIS FRIEDMAN
Pasadena
Friedman is executive director of the Planetary Society.
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