Bush’s Plans for Exploring Space

President Bush is seeking new money for a space station , and wants to put robots on the moon. Highlights of the President’s plans for space: * Space Station: He wants $2.2 billion in fiscal 1993, 11% more than previous plans, to build Space Station Freedom. He wants the Japanese, European and Canadian space agencies to invest as well. It could be operating by 1996, with a permanent crew by 1999. * New Space Launch Vehicles: The vehicles would range in capability from lightweight to heavy-lift. They are needed to build a space station. * Hypersonic Aerospace Plane: This would allow for increased civilian transportation into space in a vehicle that could fly directly from runway into orbit. * Moon Base: Bush wants a permanent base on the moon tended by robots. * Mars: The President wants to send a manned mission to Mars. To accomplish that, a space station is a required step.