This time, the U.S. government’s Return-to-the-Moon Initiative is going to get be a success, we were told yesterday by a good authority.
Yesterday (Feb 17, 2006) we attended a press briefing about the USA’s moon exploration plans. This briefing was part of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in San Francisco. The most enthusiastic speaker was Harrison Schmitt — the geologist who was the last man to walk on the moon. Dr. Schmitt subsequently became a politician (a U.S. Senator) and then a business consultant. He is now also chair of the NASA Advisory Council, where he is a voluble adviser to the President.
We were fortunate in being able to ask him a question. (Actually, we addressed the question to the panel in general, but Dr. Schmitt answered in place of his colleagues.)
The background: This is the third or fourth time a Return-to-the-Moon Initiative was announced. Each previous time, officials said they had a key that would ensure success. That key to success: good planning to commit adequate funding for the project.
Question to the panel: Each previous time, the financing didn’t materialize, and nothing happened. What’s different this time, under President Bush? What makes you believe that this time it will actually happen?
Dr. Schmitt’s answer: This time, they’ve done good planning to commit adequate funding for the project.