Learning Principles - Space Exploration of Mars

1. BUZZ ALDRIN: WHY WE SHOULD GO TO MARS
BY
SUSAN J. BERARD
FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
DR. MARGARET BOGAN
MAY 1, 2014

2. PUBLIC DISINTEREST IN APOLLO SPACE FLIGHTS
Because of the Apollo space flights, there was more interest
in areas of science, math, technology and engineering.
However, after the first Apollo flight, the public interest
started to wane.
Government officials supported financing the
Vietnam War more than space exploration.
The resulted in less promotion of American
leadership and technology.

3. ADVANTAGES OF THE APOLLO FLIGHTS
Space exploration pioneered and
promoted international cooperation.
Scientists were interested in becoming
more knowledgeable regarding zero-
gravity experiments.
There were gains in medical knowledge
regarding long-term habitation in
space.
There were considerable improvements
in technology.

4. DISADVANTAGES OF THE APOLLO FLIGHTS
The space exploration program was way over budget that
revealed the maximum funds in 1966 were distributed at
$4,511,644.00.
The majority of the experiments failed regarding its
results for a national laboratory.
The space exploration program had to rely on the
Russians to build our space station which cost us
$100,000.00.
In 2011, NASA ended the space shuttle program because
there was no adequate replacement to promote
continuance of space exploration.

5. DISADVANTAGES OF THE APOLLO FLIGHTS
Today, the Chinese and Russians have gained advances
in their space exploration programs that can potentially
surpass the United States in technology.
If our government does not revitalize space exploration,
then we will be depending on Chinese capabilities.

6. REASONS FOR EXPLORATION IN MARS
Pandemic diseases that could wipe out the population.
Nuclear wars.
Global environmental concerns (i.e.
hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes and monsoons).
Destruction of nuclear reactors (i.e. Three Mile
Island, Fukishima Daiichi)
Future impact of asteroids or satellite debris.

7. PROPOSALS FOR MARS EXPLORATION
• Build robots on the moon that can be used to establish an
international base to build on a robotic Mars base.
• Radiation protection should used for testing temperature
control and changes within 14 days of light and darkness.
• Send humans to Mars moon, Phobos, for a year and a half to
gather information and data before establishing permanent
habitation.
• Encourage space tourism to Mars to revitalize and encourage
students to participate in science, math engineering and
technology.

8. REFERENCES
Apollo Program Budget Appropriations. (July 13, 1974). The
Apollo Spacecraft - A Chronology.
Accessed on April 30, 2014, from:
http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4029/Apollo_18-
16_Apollo_Program_Budget_Appropriations.htm
Crawford, A. (2013, May 20). Buzz Aldrin on Why we should
go to Mars. Smithsonian - Science.
Accessed on April 29, 2014, from:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/buzz-
aldrin-on-why-we-should-go-to-mars-66260324/?page=1