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Source: Reuters -
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US President Barack Obama will outline his administration's
vision for space agency NASA and an eventual trip to Mars during a
conference in Florida in April, the White House said.
Obama has had to defend his commitment to the space agency in the
politically important US state after submitting a budget to
Congress that would cancel a program to return US astronauts to the
moon.
Obama wants to refocus NASA efforts on technologies to prepare for
human missions to other destinations in the solar system.
His budget would spend $8 billion over five years to turn over
space transportation to commercial companies as well as billions of
dollars on technology development and extending the life of the
International Space Station.
"After years of underinvestment in new technology and unrealistic
budgeting, the President's plan will unveil an ambitious plan for
NASA that sets the agency on a reinvigorated path of space
exploration," the White House said in a statement.
It said the investment in new technology would help us travel from
the Earth's cradle to our nearby Solar System neighbourhood in a
more effective and affordable way, thus laying the foundation to
support journeys to the Moon, asteroids, and eventually to
Mars.
The White House-sponsored conference will take place on April
15.
"The conference will focus on the goals and strategies in this new
vision, the next steps, and the new technologies, new jobs, and new
industries it will create," it said.
"Conference topics will include the implications of the new
strategy for Florida, the nation, and our ultimate activities in
space."
Florida is a political swing state that tends to shift its support
between Democrats and Republicans in presidential elections.
In 2008 the state backed Obama, a Democrat, for the presidency over his Republican challenger, Senator John McCain.
