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The eyes of the United States – and our unified commitment – should aim to open the door, of our time, to the great migration of humanity to Mars. Many books have been written on how to proceed, and have prompted government and non-government leaders to develop noble plans. But projects without detailed architecture and without this "next step" in the future are only fantasy.
The Apollo 11 crew, Neil Armstrong, Mike Collins and Buzz Aldrin. NASA
Americans are gifted to write fantasies and incomparable to make this fantastic a reality. We did it with Mercury, Gemini, Apollo – and thousands of other ways. It is time for us to move to plans, architecture and implementation, and move on to the next step: a sustainable international return to the moon, by directly tracing a path to Mars.
The Trump administration and today's Congress, inspired by an American public eager to lead the space, could launch this engine. The next step would be to support our first lunar landings and establish permanent colonies on the moon. In the meantime, preparations for a permanent migration to the Red Planet can be made. All of this is at hand for humans alive now, but it starts with a unified next step in space. The nation best placed to do this is the United States.
Call it curiosity or calculation, strategic planning or destiny. In simple terms: we explore or we exhale. That's why we have to go from the front.
Just as we remember President John F. Kennedy for starting to lead our nation to the moon, where Neil and I left footprints, the Trump administration and this Congress would be remembered for decades for putting the humans permanently on the moon and the Americans on Mars – for making human footprints in the red dust and possible future migration.
With regard to orbital mechanics, Earth to Mars migration missions are complex. That said, human nature – and potentially the ultimate survival of our species – demands that humanity continue to expand to the universe. Call it curiosity or calculation, strategic planning or destiny. In simple terms: we explore or we exhale. That's why we have to go from the front.
In a world of division and distraction, this mission is unifying – for all Americans and for all humanity. So, I am personally happy that we are returning to the moon – and I thank President Donald Trump and the Vice President for their commitment. But my eyes drift higher, on the red orb who, even now, is waiting for an American flag and a plaque on which it is written, "We come in peace for all men."
Buzz Aldrin is a former astronaut and, as part of the Apollo 11 mission, he was one of the first men to walk on the moon.
Washington Post
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