MARS OUTREACH INITIATIVE

The Penn State Mars Society is spearheading a large-scale outreach program in mid-February entitled the Mars Outreach Initiative. This program will educate the public about Mars, especially in relation to the MERS rovers and Mars Express Beagle 2 lander that will be arriving in late December and January. We will be setting up displays at our own campus and in various museums and libraries around Pennsylvania. These small exhibits will feature not only the current missions but also the endeavors of past and future missions to Mars.

We are designing this initiative so that all chapters of the Mars Society can easily become involved.  For more information, please visit the Mars Outreach Initiative web site at: http://www.psums.org/moi.

POLITICAL OUTREACH

At the 6th Annual International Mars Society Conference in Eugene, Oregon, Dr. Robert Zubrin outlined his vision for a large scale political outreach effort.  In the next 6 months, an incredible amount of pressure will be thrown on NASA when the Columbia accident report is released (and rumor has it, this report will bring into question many aspects of NASA).  Additionally, the world's attention will be focused on Mars with the arrival of multiple missions.  All of this will be coinciding with the beginning of political campaigning season.

With the above in mind, Dr. Zubrin has set the goal of meeting with at least 300 Senators and Representatives throughout the coming year.  With 21 members of the two houses from Pennsylvania, the PA Chapters need to meet with at least 12; although there's no reason we can't meet with all 21!  Anyone who is interested in contacting their local representative, please contact Kevin Sloan.  More information on the political efforts will be posted as work progresses.