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Visions of Mars Landing May 25.
 

Opinions

Influencing the future of space exploration often begins with publicizing a particular point of view. Sometimes these views veer into controversial waters and even approach topics that incite argument and debate. The Society believes that discussion of space topics-even difficult ones-can lead to positive change.

Earth's Western Hemisphere
Earth's Western Hemisphere
redit: NASA GSFC

Missed Opportunities

An Op-Ed by Louis Friedman
Published in Space News
June 18, 2007

NASA Administrator Mike Griffin set off a firestorm of criticism over his remarks on National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” concerning global warming. Admired by many, including me, for his blunt and direct talk, Dr. Griffin went overboard this time by being unnecessarily provocative. more »

Save Our Science…While Saving the Vision
Save Our Science Congressional Event
Save Our Science Congressional Event
An Op-Ed by Louis Friedman
Published in Space News
June 19, 2006

The Planetary Society is in the midst of its most hard-fought political campaign: Save Our Science, SOS, to restore the $3 billion of planned research, analysis and missions that have been cut from NASA space science plans over the next five years. more »

Manned or Unmanned? NASA's Flying Blind in Space

Space Shuttle Discovery
Credit: NASA/KSC

Shuttle missions killing science, space exploration
An Editorial by Louis D. Friedman
February 25, 2006

WILL it be "manned or unmanned" exploration of space?

I use the politically incorrect "manned" and "unmanned" in stating the question because, sadly, I think we have returned to the bad old days of arguing about and competing between the two. This was, for me, the worst part of this month's House Science Committee hearing in Congress on the proposed NASA fiscal 2007 budget. more »

Should the Space Shuttle Fly Again?

Space Shuttle Discovery
Credit: NASA/KSC
A Statement by The Planetary Society,
October 11, 2005

The space shuttle era is over. NASA has committed to retire the shuttle by 2010 as a key part of the Vision for Space Exploration, the new (2004) U.S. policy for human and robotic space exploration. The plan was made in the expectation that the three remaining orbiters could carry out the flights needed to complete the International Space Station (ISS) and that a new Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) could operate by 2014. NASA Administrator Mike Griffin now hopes to advance that date several years, but budget constraints may limit his ability to do so. more »

Mars: Are We Losing Our Vision ?

Mars at opposition in 2001
Credit: NASA and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA)
An Opinion by Louis Friedman
Executive Director of The Planetary Society
August 8, 2005

Mars is a busy place right now: Global Surveyor, Odyssey and Mars Express are orbiting the planet, and Spirit and Opportunity are traversing it. This year the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter will join that fleet and, in 2007, the Phoenix lander will be launched. In the works for 2009 are the U.S. Mars Surface Laboratory rover and the Russian Phobos sample return, and Europe has just moved closer to initiating a ExoMars lander. One can hardly complain that Mars is not getting enough attention from us earthlings. more »

Nuclear Propulsion in Space

2003 UB313
Credit: Robert Hurt (IPAC)
A Planetary Society Position Statement
This paper was updated May 2005.

In response to the Federal Government's Nuclear Space Initiative, The Planetary Society has drafted a position white paper on the use of nuclear power in space exploration. more»

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