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Senator Nelson Discusses Space Travel Future

Posted at 6:21 PM, Dec 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-16 13:54:06-05

TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- Senator Bill Nelson was in Tallahassee Friday afternoon holding a bit of a press conference. Topics discussed ranged from Russia to Beach Restoration in Flagler County to the Future of the space Program.

During the entire conference, Senator Nelson answered a number of questions that were burning holes in our heads. The future of space travel, a topic near and dear to his heart, was not asked about, but the senator made sure to mention it at the end.

You see, back in 1986, Senator Nelson spent six days orbiting the earth on space shuttle Columbia. After an experience like that, it's no wonder why he feels so passionately about the future of NASA and the space program.

The senator did say in the next 18 months or so, we'll be putting Americans on American rockets going to and from the International Space Station.

The long term goal Senator Nelson and NASA are looking forward to is traveling to Mars. That's right, the mission to the red planet is becoming less like science fiction and more of an attainable goal. 

Right now, his eyes are set on the year 2033 when we hope to send humans on a fly-by of Mars. 

"To build all of the equipment, technologies and techniques to protect humans all the way and come back is going to be one of the greatest adventures that planet earth has ever done," says Senator Bill Nelson

Even though that's still many years away, this is something that is well underway.