Several industry and academic experts gave testimony this week before the House Committee on Science.
Norm Augustine’s testimony was circulated at work yesterday, and this little bit stuck out for me:
This consideration argues for a major space undertaking that could be accomplished in step-wise milestones, each contributing to a uniting long-term goal…It is this consideration which justifies a mission to Mars with an initial step to the moon – as philosophically opposed to a return to the moon with a potential visit to Mars.” [emphasis added]
A subtle but important distinction, one I hope doesn’t get lost as the details of the plan are fleshed out.