U.S-Soviet Union Venture to Mars

The Times deserves to be congratulated on its perceptive editorial (May 26) urging a joint U.S.-Soviet expedition to explore the planet Mars. As you pointed out, the Soviet Union recently made public its plans to send to the red planet the most ambitious planetary exploration ever conceived by man.

There is no excuse for the United States to stand idly by and watch our position as the world leader in the exploration of outer space erode while we debate the merits of a Mars expedition. The potential benefits of such a program are incalculable, and the scientific knowledge that could be gained priceless.

I have long believed that greater cooperation between the superpowers in the peaceful exploration of space was in our national interest and the interest of advancing the cause of world peace. Experts have repeatedly told me that the United States gained more from the Apollo-Soyuz missions than did the Soviets. That is why I sponsored legislation in the House, which was later signed by the President, calling for new U.S.-U.S.S.R. cooperative space efforts.

While the cost of a Mars expedition is not insignificant, the funds are readily available. Instead of squandering even more taxpayers’ money on the President’s ill-conceived Strategic Defense Initiative, we could instead invest in a joint U.S.-U.S.S.R. Mars expedition. The benefits, both in terms of scientific knowledge, and in the reduction of tensions between the two superpowers, would be well worth the expenditure, and the return would be greater than anything we could expect from SDI.

Our major economic competitors, Japan, the European Economic Community and the Soviet Union, are increasing their investments in space exploration. They understand that the economic leaders of the future will be determined by which nations make the most productive use of outer space. We will be making a terrible mistake if we allow a failure of vision and imagination to allow us to squander our leadership position in the exploration and exploitation of outer space.

The Times is correct in urging policy-makers in Washington to commit themselves now to a Mars expedition. The best option would be for the United States and the Soviet Union to go there together. But, cooperatively or independently, we must go to Mars.

MEL LEVINE

Member of Congress 27th District

Santa Monica