BUZZ ALDRIN: WHY WE SHOULD GO TO MARS

BY

SUSAN J. BERARD

FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY

DR. MARGARET BOGAN

MAY 1, 2014

PUBLIC DISINTEREST IN APOLLO SPACE FLIGHTS

Because of the Apollo space flights, there was more interest

in areas of science, math, technology and engineering.

However, after the first Apollo flight, the public interest

started to wane.

Government officials supported financing the

Vietnam War more than space exploration.

The resulted in less promotion of American

leadership and technology.

ADVANTAGES OF THE APOLLO FLIGHTS

Space exploration pioneered and

promoted international cooperation.

Scientists were interested in becoming

more knowledgeable regarding zero-

gravity experiments.

There were gains in medical knowledge

regarding long-term habitation in

space.

There were considerable improvements

in technology.

DISADVANTAGES OF THE APOLLO FLIGHTS

The space exploration program was way over budget thatrevealed the maximum funds in 1966 were distributed at$4,511,644.00.

The majority of the experiments failed regarding itsresults for a national laboratory.

The space exploration program had to rely on theRussians to build our space station which cost us$100,000.00.

In 2011, NASA ended the space shuttle program becausethere was no adequate replacement to promotecontinuance of space exploration.

DISADVANTAGES OF THE APOLLO FLIGHTS

Today, the Chinese and Russians have gained advances

in their space exploration programs that can potentially

surpass the United States in technology.

If our government does not revitalize space exploration,

then we will be depending on Chinese capabilities.

REASONS FOR EXPLORATION IN MARS

Pandemic diseases that could wipe out the population.

Nuclear wars.

Global environmental concerns (i.e.

hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes and monsoons).

Destruction of nuclear reactors (i.e. Three Mile

Island, Fukishima Daiichi)

Future impact of asteroids or satellite debris.

PROPOSALS FOR MARS EXPLORATION

• Build robots on the moon that can be used to establish an

international base to build on a robotic Mars base.

• Radiation protection should used for testing temperature

control and changes within 14 days of light and darkness.

• Send humans to Mars moon, Phobos, for a year and a half to

gather information and data before establishing permanent

habitation.

• Encourage space tourism to Mars to revitalize and encourage

students to participate in science, math engineering and

technology.

REFERENCES

Apollo Program Budget Appropriations. (July 13, 1974). The

Apollo Spacecraft - A Chronology.

Accessed on April 30, 2014, from:

http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4029/Apollo_18-

16_Apollo_Program_Budget_Appropriations.htm

Crawford, A. (2013, May 20). Buzz Aldrin on Why we should

go to Mars. Smithsonian - Science.

Accessed on April 29, 2014, from:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/buzz-

aldrin-on-why-we-should-go-to-mars-66260324/?page=1