Predictably, President Trump’s presidency has begun with division. The Left is furious with Trump’s rollbacks of President Obama’s policies. The media are furious with Trump’s half-truths and untruths (and the rollback of Obama’s policies). Conservatives are elated to be back in power, but concerned that Trump isn’t really a conservative.
Whatever their particular quality, to some degree, these tensions are intractable. Trump is unlikely to change, and those who oppose him are unlikely to stop doing so.
Still, by sending a few citizens to Mars, Trump can accomplish three great feats.
For a start, Mars has the peaceful potential to unite Americans of every creed. After all, visiting Mars would represent American exceptionalism incarnate. It would empower NASA to show how innovation and courage are the two greatest ingredients of American success. In doing so, it would restore American confidence that government can be a servant of all. In turn, Mars would encourage the best and brightest Americans to see government service as a exciting cause.
Second, visiting Mars would help make math and science cool(er). More specifically, it would encourage a new generation to study science, technology, engineering, and math. While the vast majority of new STEM students would not end up in aeronautical research or at NASA, they would end up in industries that offer great potential to the U.S. economy.
As I’ve noted before, to flourish in the 21st century, we must produce the world’s high-technology, high-value goods and services. Conversely, racing to the bottom (making cheap t-shirts domestically, as Trump apparently desires), is a waltz of stupidity.
Of course, some argue that Mars would be a waste of resources. They argue we would be better off investing in new STEM teachers and research facilities. But they are wrong.
For one, a mission to Mars would not be expensive. In 2017, NASA’s total budget will be around $19 billion. Around $2.75 billion of that total will be spent on space transportation (the key area of investment relevant to Mars). Correspondingly, alongside other spending reductions across government, Trump should add $10 billion to NASA’s budget over the next four years. Along with re-assigning existing budget allocations (for example, NASA spends $1.4 billion on the International Space Station, and $2 billion on Earth sciences) to the Mars mission, we would get the ball rolling.
Third, putting men and women on Mars would win new scientific and technological advancements. How do we know this? History.
Throughout human history, great endeavors into the unknown have lead us to new advancements. Humanity learns by experience. NASA proves as much. Inspired by past exploration, NASA scientists have spent years striving for a more efficient means of space travel. What they came up with late last year was remarkable: an electro-magnetic engine system. The EmDrive would allow space travel without fuel, and defies pre-existing notions of physics.
But the EmDrive is only the tip of the infinite iceberg. Unless, and until, we go to Mars we won’t know what hidden secrets wait to serve our better future.
Regardless, Trump has special reason to take us to Mars. The leader of a divided nation, Trump alone has the power to bring us together. Mars is his righteous means. Witnessing the first American step down onto the surface of Mars, whatever our disagreements, we’ll realize that our potential as a union remains as great as in 1776.
Tom Rogan is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog. He is a foreign policy columnist for National Review, a domestic policy columnist for Opportunity Lives, a former panelist on The McLaughlin Group and a senior fellow at the Steamboat Institute. Thinking of submitting an op-ed to the Washington Examiner? Be sure to read our guidelines on submissions.
