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UNH Space Scientists React
to Announcement of Manned Space Exploration
Contact: Kim Billings
603-862-1558
UNH Media Relations
January 15, 2004
DURHAM, N.H. --With President George W. Bush's announcement yesterday
to invest more in the space program, researchers at the University
of New Hampshire's Space Science Center caution that the President's
support for manned Moon/Mars exploration are expensive and may detract
from other important missions.
“Americans can be justifiably intrigued, inspired by, and
proud of their manned space program,” says Roy Torbert, director
of UNH's Space Science Center, “but I am skeptical of the
budgetary resources allocated for this ambitious program.”
Torbert notes that if Apollo missions were to be done today, with
the more cumbersome procedures that NASA now uses, estimates could
range from $300 billion to $400 billion. He explains costs for the
expansion outlined by President Bush yesterday would exceed even
that.
Torbert also believes the International Space Station should be
used as a launch platform for moon colonization and deeper exploration
into space.
“I hope the proposal gets careful review, and whatever is
decided, proper support so that such programs achieve success and
are not abandoned midway, resulting in the despair of failure, rather
than the inspiration that we all want from the space effort,”
Torbert said.
UNH Space Scientist Mark McConnell notes that there is still much
to learn from the International Space Station, especially about
long-term stays in space. And, he adds, phasing out the Space Shuttle
and the Space Station will not likely cover the full cost of a Moon/Mars
program. Bush's plans call for a budget boost for NASA of $1 billion
spread over five years. The agency's 2004 budget is nearly $15.5
billion.
“Although the Moon may provide a good test bed for technologies
that could be used on Mars, the Space Station is a good test bed
for technologies and other studies, such as physiological research,
that would be important for the trip to and from Mars,” McConnell
says.
He also worries that it is easier for critics to attack a Moon/Mars
program than it is for them to attack the work of the space station,
which can help address environmental issues on Earth.
While McConnell concedes prospects for science on the Moon are exciting,
he too fears the financial commitment would be difficult to secure.
“We currently are not committed to the space station, even
with the support of our international partners.”
He adds, “I would expect that the commitment for Bush's program
-- especially the long-term commitment that would be required --
may not be a strong one. This is especially true, given the large
budget deficits that the country now faces.”
Mark McConnell 603-862--2047, http://wwwgro.unh.edu/users/mmcconne/mmcconne.html
Roy Torbert - 603-862-1638, http://www.eos.unh.edu/Fac/People?FAC_ID=67
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