U.S. Exploration of Mars and Search for National Purpose
As an out-of-state attendee at the International Space Development Conference in Anaheim, I was interested to read the four letters of outrage concerning President Bush’s Moon/Mars initiative (May 26).
The space program produces spinoffs useful to the solution of earthly problems at roughly $14 for every dollar invested in it. Also, an “improbable” goal--such as President Kennedy’s man on the Moon within a decade--pursued actively produces a desire, a “can do” attitude, on the part of ordinary folk to start working to solve their problems instead of drowning them in drugs and alcohol.
We need a great, difficult, imaginative project to pull us together, show us how to look beyond the ends of our noses. Only a space-related initiative has that capability.
THERESA HOLMES
Denver, Colo.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
