From: LARRY KLAES (ljk4_at_msn.com)
Date: Thu Dec 04 2003 - 06:00:52 PST
December 4, 2003 -- WASHINGTON - President Bush wants to send Americans back to the moon - and may leave a permanent presence there - in a bold new vision for space exploration, administration officials said yesterday.
The return to the moon would be for the purpose of technological advancements in technology, including energy exploration and testing a military rocket engine.
And a permanent presence likely will include robots and communication satellites.
But beyond the nuts and bolts, Bush's call for a to return to space would give Americans something new to hope for - amid a period of permanent anxiety about terrorism. It would also help move NASA beyond last February's space shuttle Columbia disaster.
Sources said the president may also give the go-ahead to pursue a manned trip to Mars - a long range goal.
NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe told an advisory council yesterday that 2004 will be a "seminal time" for the agency.
"There's an effort under way that will focus the administration's view very prominently on options we can consider. We are looking at some significant changes," O'Keefe said.
http://www.nypost.com/news/nationalnews/12584.htm
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