SCI/TECH: Ex-Astronaut to Lead Moon-Mars Commission

Pete Aldridge, secretary of the U.S. air force under president Ronald Reagan, is chosen to lead the way back to the Moon and on to Mars.

President Bush appointed Aldridge, 65, to head a commission charged with figuring out how to carry out the president's vision and bring in industry and other countries as partners.

He got the call from Bush just two days before the president announced his new moon-Mars plan and rushed to Washington to be there for the speech.

Aldridge didn't immediately know who would be on his commission or when the first meeting might be. He said the president will appoint the other members, probably no more than 15, all experts from both the private and public sector.

The commission will offer advice on Bush's plan but will not pitch alternative ideas, Aldridge said - like skipping the moon and heading straight to Mars.

Source: CNEWS

And Space.com