Kay Bailey Hutchison: We must reach for the stars [Mars]

President Bush has set forth a bold vision in search of what lies beyond the stars. By 2015, we will land on the moon again. By 2020, we will set our sights on another landing - Mars.

Space exploration is more than a science fiction tale - it is our destiny. Americans have expanded frontiers since the first settlers arrived. So it is entirely fitting that the United States lead the exploration of space.

That spirit challenges today's scientists and researchers to search for cures for cancer, AIDS and diabetes; develop lighter, stronger and more resilient materials; and create new technologies to transform our military, our economy and our health care industry.

As a Houston reporter in 1969, I had the privilege of covering Neil Armstrong's extraordinary first steps on the moon. Growing up with the Johnson Space Center in my back yard, I always have had a deep fascination for the mysteries of space. I have been awed by the tremendous discoveries our space program has produced - from insulin pumps to hurricane monitoring systems.

When the Columbia disintegrated in the skies above North Texas last year, I heard the sonic boom as I was walking in my neighborhood and ached for the loss of those astronauts. But beyond my personal connections, I have come to understand that an ambitious agenda for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will help secure America's leadership in the 21st century.

First, the shuttle will return to flight, and America will complete its work on the international space station by 2010, fulfilling a commitment to our 15 partner countries.

Second, we will begin developing a new manned exploration vehicle to explore beyond our orbit to other worlds - the first of its kind since the Apollo command module.

Finally, the United States will return to the moon as early as 2015 and use it as a steppingstone for more elaborate missions into space.

A renewed vision for our space program will ensure the continuation of basic research, one of NASA's fundamental tenets. NASA fulfills one of the most critical roles of the federal government. Private industry has neither the financial wherewithal nor the capability to conduct basic research on a mass scale. Industry specializes in applied research - the art of crafting real-world products from pure research and keeping the production jobs in America.

The mission to Mars also will inspire the next generation of scientists. Those young boys and girls who sat wide-eyed as man first stepped on the moon grew up to become the scientists, engineers and mathematicians of the digital revolution. Today's youth are more apt to name athletes or actors, rather than astronauts, as their role models. We need to resurrect the explorer's spirit that has lain dormant for too many years.

One year ago, the Columbia disaster renewed questions about the mission of our space program. It also exposed critical flaws within NASA and validated the nagging suspicion the agency was floundering without clear direction. The administration's new proposal will help revitalize the agency with the vision and mission it has lacked for too long.

The initiatives offer tremendous potential to further research in energy, geology and health sciences, keeping us at the forefront of space exploration and maintaining our economic viability and defense prowess. And it will keep the dream of reaching new frontiers alive.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, is a member of the science, technology and space subcommittee.

When you have fouled up the economy through a series of mistakes that bear no resemblance to reality, see your tax base deteriorating due to unwise trade agreements, public debt soaring into the stratosphere, it is time for a diversion. What better way to divert the attention of the citizen than to escape the realities on earth, and position oneself for an attack on space?

Almost all citizens were enthused as children with the daily doings of Buck Rogers in the cartoon section of their local newspaper and/or comic book. Later, Star Wars, has kept the imagination riveted on space.

What better way to keep the public entertained than a real life adventure and capture of a space object that was invaded forty years ago? Hopefully, if a successful operation establishes a base on the intended target, we don't screw up the process as bad as the home base.

I'm delighted that the president has set these space exploration goals. If America doesn't lead in this area, no progress will ever be made. Over the long haul, the space program nearly pays for itself in terms of jobs and technology. When America stops looking for ways to lead the world, she'll only be led by the world.

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