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Governor Bush Believes Space Exploration Is Vital To The Next Generation
Whenever I hear an astronaut speak I am always struck by the enthusiasm and adventure they capture...

...when they describe their journey soaring above the Earth. There is amazing power in their speech when they talk about gazing back on their home planet and describing the view of a very fragile and dynamic world full of such diversity.

I support continuing to explore Mars. I believe it is important that we continue to lay the groundwork for long-term exploration of our neighboring planets such as Mars by increasing our knowledge and experience of planetary exploration via robots, including landers that are ultimately capable of extensive coverage. In addition, it is important that America stay focused on driving the cost of space transportation down so that the total costs of sending humans to explore new planets is affordable and the means to get them there is technologically feasible, reliable and accountable. That means making renewed commitments to math and science education at every level of education in America and managing programs more responsibly.

I support the International Space Station and believe that we must ensure that it becomes operational in the near term. At the same time, I believe that the ISS provides important lessons that should govern whether or not we enter into similar international space projects in the future. Such lessons include establishing at the outset very clear and concise criteria for the project's success, as well as compelling goals that the American taxpayer can use to judge whether the project advanced our nation's overall interests in space.

NASA, like other science agencies, is inherently responsible for sharing whatever insights they can to help us better understand our planet and life upon it. Whether through developing new technologies that can give us advance warnings of weather emergencies such as hurricanes or tornadoes, or applying new-found knowledge to help a farmer plant a more robust crop, NASA and all federal agencies have to show how exploring the beyond offers us discovery and reward here at home. The end result not only better serves the taxpayers whose investments made the research possible, but ultimately will make us better stewards of God's creation.