In discussing the upcoming movie The Martian in a recent issue of SpaceNews, Eric R. Sterner, who served as NASA’s associate deputy administrator for policy and planning and in the Department of Defense, was not all that optimistic about the movie's impact on planning for future Mars missions:
Sadly, if the space community seeks to turn “The Martian” into a commercial for sending people to Mars, we will fail miserably. The 2000 movie “Castaway” was nominated for multiple awards, including an Academy Award for Tom Hanks. It did not increase public support for sending people to deserted islands. Neither will “The Martian” bring them closer to Mars.
I can understand Mr. Sterner's frustration, but I am
somewhat optimistic that a good film, just like a good television series, can
stir a nation and especially its youth.
Will inspired youth get us to Mars tomorrow? Certainly not. But who knows where they will take us down the
road. And I think Mars is a little more
inspiring than a deserted island.
