To Infinity and Beyond, or at Least to Mars – The Wall Street Journal

Jan. 8, 2021 1:24 pm ET

David W. Browns Mars or Bust (Review, Dec. 19) is spot on: Mars is the next true destination for humans in space exploration. Over the past 20 years NASAs Mars Exploration Program has changed our understanding of the planets extensive rivers and oceans, ability to support past or present life, and ability to support human explorers. Human-scale entry and landing systems are the only real remaining technology hurdle, yet Mars Science Laboratorys Curiosity and Perseverance landing systems have significantly moved us forward, and with pinpoint landing they can become the explorers resupply lines. The first round-trip mission to another planet, to collect and return soil samples from Mars, is under way.

Past agency and administration commitment to sending humans to Mars has been fickle, ranging from extensive study teams producing viable roadmaps, to posters and slogans with little substance. Lunar programs to enable Mars are largely a distraction. No technologies for Mars require demonstration at the moon; landing on an airless moon has no bearing on systems needed for planetary atmospheres. The moon may be an exciting commercial destination, but not for the next generation of explorers. Mars is the next major step in human exploration, exciting the public, spurring new global partnerships, creating unimaginable technological spin-offs, and uniting us by pushing ever closer to answering Are we alone? in this vast universe of planets. NASA needs to make the financial and leadership commitments to land humans by 2040, and avoid distractions. The Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs prove we can do this, so lets get on with it!

J. Douglas McCuistion

Lothian, Md.

Mr. McCuistion was director, NASA Mars Exploration Program, 2004-12.

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To Infinity and Beyond, or at Least to Mars - The Wall Street Journal