Why does Obama oppose Elon Musk’s plan for a Mars colony?

Former President Barack Obama has been out of the White House for more than seven years. But from time to time, he still makes news and stirs controversy.

President Obama recently appeared At a renewable energy conference in Paris, he had some sharp words about billionaires, particularly Elon Musk and his SpaceX company’s efforts to colonize space.

“But when you hear some people talking about plans to colonize Mars, [Earth’s] What are you talking about when the environment may deteriorate and become uninhabitable? That’s how I look at it. ”

President Obama also suggested that even after the devastation of nuclear war and climate change, Earth would be more livable than Mars. He said Mars does not have the oxygen necessary to support human life.

What should people who dream of colonizing Mars do instead?

“I would rather invest in things that take care of this planet,” President Obama said. He suggested that space exploration should be limited to “gathering knowledge and discoveries.”

At least President Obama’s tone on going to Mars was different than it was 14 years ago. To do damage control in the wake of President George W. Bush’s sudden resignation. constellation programhe went to Kennedy Space Center on April 15, 2010. reveals his own vision for space exploration. Obama was more enthusiastic about sending humans to Mars, while balking at his idea of ​​returning to the moon.

“By the mid-2030s, I think we’ll be able to send humans into orbit around Mars and return them safely to Earth. And landings on Mars will follow. And I’ll be up close to see it.” I hope there will be.”

President Obama didn’t mention colonizing Mars 14 years ago, but his speech at Kennedy Space Center was clearly less negative than his speech in Paris.

of “Journey to Mars” The program, as NASA called it at the time, grew out of Obama’s speech. Unfortunately, six years later, Hearing by the Housing Space Subcommittee NASA concluded that it lacked the technology and funding to immediately begin human exploration of Mars. This plan was never serious, and it would have taken him 20-40 years and $5 trillion to get it off the ground.

President Obama’s Mars program was scrapped at the will of President Donald Trump project artemis, envisions going back to the moon and going to Mars. Artemis has a number of commercial space and international partners on board, including SpaceX. Artemis Mission Statement Reasons for sending astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit include “economic benefits” as well as scientific discoveries and inspiration.

The former president also failed to give due credit to those who were the targets of his anger.

SpaceX builds and launches rockets, and Musk dreams of building a city on Mars.he also owns teslasold by electric car companies solar roof And it’s coming in Carbon dioxide recovery businessall of which are very good for the environment.

Owner Jeff Bezos blue originhas provided suborbital joyrides to passengers such as: star trek william shatner,recently, new glenn rocket And suggestions for soft land Blue Moon Lander on the Moon Within 12-16 months.he has his own A dream of a space colony. Mr. Bezos also Start-up of fusion power generation It promises unlimited and emission-free energy.

Mr. Musk, Mr. Bezos, and others in the commercial space sector are passionate about exploring space, settling it, and taking care of Earth. They don’t see it as an either-or issue.

Peter Hague, a British astrophysicist and space migration advocate, called out obama For his remarks about the lack of oxygen on Mars. Although, Martian atmosphere Since it contains only trace amounts of oxygen, this gas is readily available in other forms.

“Producing oxygen on Mars from the atmosphere’s abundant carbon dioxide, water ice, and rock is far less complex than the many interlocking systems needed to provide food and electricity on Earth. “Running your own O2 generator is probably no more complicated than running your own boiler,” he said in a social media post.

The day after Obama spoke, Musk gave an eloquent answer in the form of Starship’s third test. This spacecraft was the first to reach space and accomplished many test objectives. It was a small step and a giant leap towards opening the door to the universe.

As Mr. Musk said in X“A spaceship will take humans to Mars.”

surely.

Mr. Mark R. Whittington said,Why is it difficult to return to the moon?“”To the moon, Mars and beyond,” and “Why will America return to the moon?” He blogs at: Karma John’s Corner.