Hi E.P.

Well the Disney feature Mars and Beyond did not claim that mars was like the earth - merely that it was the most habitable planet in our solar system.

However, the film clearly specifies that man would need special suits for protection and need to live in shielded 'bubble cities'.

What I find most appealing in the film is the raw excitement about what mysteries await us once we leave this world.

The Lowell Observatory scientists tempered the lush vegetation scenario of mars with the possibility of some small form of life deep underneath the surface. (Which is my personal assessment.)

Regardless of whether we colonize mars, I support an extensive manned exploration of the planet.

At this time (and I know this isn't very popular) the only way I see this happening is via a 'Martian Reconnaisance Expeditionary Force' seeking strategic value in the data gathered and setting up sensor arrays* to monitor space activity.

The future of space exploration is really hanging in the balance. Man is becoming introverted and looks within and in ever smaller frontiers.

The computer and television are shrinking mans world - but also his outlook.

By having the world delivered to his chair - he is at risk of losing the adventurous nature which led Columbus to forsake convention and sail west for new routes.

There are still bogeymen out there to demonize and use as propaganda - but this is window dressing for those stuck in front of their TV's who would be otherwise unwilling to spend money for space exploration and aerospace.

The threat of impactors is always evident and as space folks we must unite to generate funding and interest in space activities.

The bickering (as evidenced even on this board here today) - shows how even generally like-minded folks can be divided and conquered so as to be easily out lobbied in D.C. by the 12 year old Britney Spears fans. (Yes, I know Britney's star is fading fast but I am not hip enough to know her replacement yet.)

So what to do?

Congress and Senators are not the answer. These folks only respond to massive lobbying interests and space fans even every single one - wouldn't equal 10% of what is needed to trigger legislative action.

Two years back the stock market. in its most exuberant state, could float a new space idea - but certainly not now.

Education of folks, would be fine - but our centers of learning have been taken over by folks who generally disdain imperialism in any form - and which space exploration vaguely falls under as some 'cold war imperialistic use of space'. So support for space in our colleges and universities is almost nil.

Tom made a list of folks involved in private endeavors - but I think I am a bit more skeptical of their future success than Tom.

Yes, we need one of those 'dirty, monarchial little Executive Orders' which funds a Mars mission in the interests of national security and global dominance.

The same sort of order could be used for anti-asteroid weaponry research and funding.

Yes, the military would expect to benefit from such research but even Columbus used ships from the Queen's Navy.

We'll see how it unfolds in the months ahead.

Best wishes,

SDAI-Tech1

(*Which may or may not be what we pack into a lot of mars satellites before they launch anyway;-)