Apollo 11 crew use anniversary to call for Mars mission

by Rich Bowden - Jul 20 2009, 04:39

Apollo 11 crew member Buzz Aldrin has used the occasion of the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the first manned Moon landing to push for a manned mission to Mars as the focus of NASA's space timetable.

Speaking at a commemorative event at Washington's National Air and Space Museum, the 79-year-old Aldrin - the second man on the Moon after Neil Armstrong - called on the Obama administration to begin planning for a manned Mars visit by 2035.

Echoing the president's campaign slogan of "Yes we can!" Aldrin said to achieve such a mission needed a "unified space vision."

"To realise that dream we need a unified space vision. The greatest challenge for us is this: 'Americans, do you still dream great dreams?', 'Do you still believe in yourselves, are you ready for a great national challenge?'" he said.

Mr Aldrin received quiet support from his Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong who said in a rare public appearance that he considered the Moon landing, if not directly responsible for the avoidance of war, then at least a diversion.

Aldrin's Mars vision though received enthusiastic support from Michael Collins, the third member of the crew, and Chris Kraft, NASA'S first flight director.

"NASA is the best return on government investment this country has ever had," he said, referring to the spin-off everyday scientific gains of space research. "This is where our future lies and I say to Mr Obama, let's go for it, let's invest in our future."

The Apollo 11 team will be received by President Obama at the White House today to mark the 40th anniversary of the Moon landing.

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