Clinton Favors Future Human Spaceflight

The Constellation program was proposed by Bush in 2004 as a way to return Americans to space. His plan envisions the establishment of a settlement on the moon, in part to prepare for the lengthy voyage to Mars.

The plan, which is similar to one proposed by his father when he was president, was embraced by many in the space community as a worthy successor to the shuttle and space station, which are often described as expensive underachievers. Congress has generally supported plans for a new spacecraft, although Bush has not asked for additional money to pay for it, and some believe that NASA's many successful unmanned science missions will inevitably be shortchanged to pay for Constellation.

Contracts have been let to build several key components of the new launch system, and NASA has put together an elaborate timetable for building, testing and launching the spacecraft by 2015.

In her Oct. 4 policy statement on a range of scientific issues, Clinton said she "is committed to a space exploration program that involves robust human spaceflight to complete the Space Station and later human missions, expanded robotic spaceflight probes of our solar system leading to future human exploration, and enhanced space science activities."

She also said that in pursuing next-generation programs, she will "capitalize on the expertise of the current shuttle program workforce and will not allow a repeat of the 'brain drain' that occurred between the Apollo and shuttle missions."

But the same day, Clinton somewhat muted her support for an aggressive human space exploration program by telling a New York Times reporter that travel to Mars "excites people," adding that she is "more focused on nearer-term goals I think are achievable." She also said the Bush administration has shortchanged NASA's earth science and aeronautics programs, and that they need to be expanded.

She promised to "restore a national commitment" to unfettered and ambitious scientific research and exploration.

While the current moon-Mars mission was proposed by Bush, manned space exploration had its first great presidential champion in John F. Kennedy, a Democrat. Bush's plan for a new generation of spacecraft that can fly to the moon and perhaps to Mars got broad bipartisan support when it was approved by Congress in 2005.