‘Mars direct’
President Donald Trump welcomed surviving Apollo 11 crew members Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins to the White House Friday, using the occasion to tell his space chief he would prefer to go straight to Mars without returning to the Moon.
It is a theme he had touched upon earlier this month in a tweet, and this time drew on the support of the two former astronauts, who are taking part in celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of their mission, to make his case to Nasa administrator Jim Bridenstine.
"To get to Mars, you have to land on the Moon, they say," said Trump, without looking convinced.
Bridenstine launched into a well-rehearsed summary of Nasa position: Earth's natural satellite is the right setting to perfect the technology needed to keep humans alive for long periods elsewhere.
Trump then turned to his right to ask Collins what he thought.
"Mars direct," said the 88-year-old, without hesitating.
"It seems to me Mars direct, who knows better than these people?" replied Trump, forcing the Nasa chief onto the defensive once again.
Later, Trump asked Aldrin to weigh in with his thoughts on the state of US space exploration which Aldrin answered negatively.
Trump then turned to Bridenstine and asked: "How do you feel about that, Jim?"
As Bridenstine explained work being done on the Orion crew capsule, Trump said: "We'll I'd like to have you also listen to the other side. ... So you'll listen to Buzz and some of the other people."
"Yes, sir," said Bridenstine.
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