http://www.nasa.gov/bios/dan_goldin.html

"He began his career at NASA's Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH, in 1962, and worked on electric propulsion systems for human interplanetary travel."

Goldin was on CNN's Pinnacle today and it was stated he worked on plans for a manned Mars mission (EP does get it right sometimes). Goldin also said men would be on Mars in no less than 10 and no more than 20 years. I state that not because I think Goldin is an infallible source, but rather for the benefit of those who like to pick and choose which Goldin comments they support.

He came across as he usually does to me as sincerely wanting to put men on Mars and being interested in the possibilities of life in space. Administrative blunders aside, I do believe Goldin lives and breaths the space program. While many of the criticisms leveled here are valid they seem to overlook where NASA was when Goldin took over. Challenger, Hubble, & Galileo had all made it a laughingstock. While the ISS threatens to do so again, NASA's star did shine brightly for a while under Goldin.

Regards,
Mark