In November 2008, Dr. Harrison "Jack" Schmitt, a former Apollo 17 astronaut and chair of NASA's Advisory Council, resigned from The Planetary Society over disagreements concerning the organization's "Roadmap to Space Exploration." This roadmap prioritized human missions to Mars over lunar expeditions, a stance Schmitt opposed, believing that returning to the Moon was essential for advancing crewed missions to Mars. Additionally, Schmitt criticized the Society's position on global warming, arguing that the "global warming scare" was being used as a political tool to increase government control over American lives and decision-making. ([en.wikipedia.org](
Background on Dr. Harrison Schmitt
Dr. Harrison H. Schmitt is a geologist and former NASA astronaut who flew on the Apollo 17 mission in 1972, becoming the only scientist to walk on the Moon. After his NASA career, Schmitt served as a U.S. Senator from New Mexico from 1977 to 1983. He has been a vocal advocate for lunar exploration, proposing initiatives like the Interlune InterMars Initiative, which aimed to advance private-sector acquisition and use of lunar resources, particularly lunar helium-3 as a fuel for nuclear fusion reactors. ([en.wikipedia.org](
The Planetary Society's Roadmap to Space Exploration
In 2008, The Planetary Society released its "Roadmap to Space Exploration," a strategic plan outlining the organization's vision for future space exploration. The roadmap emphasized prioritizing human missions to Mars as the primary goal of U.S. space policy. This approach suggested that lunar missions should be secondary, serving as a stepping stone toward Mars exploration. The Society also advocated for accelerating research into global climate change through more comprehensive Earth observations and emphasized international cooperation in space exploration.
Schmitt's Resignation from The Planetary Society
Dr. Schmitt's resignation from The Planetary Society was driven by several key disagreements: - **Prioritization of Mars Missions**: Schmitt believed that returning to the Moon was crucial for developing the necessary technologies and experience for crewed missions to Mars. He argued that the fastest way to get to Mars was by way of the Moon. - **Global Climate Change Stance**: Schmitt contested the Society's position on global warming, viewing it as a political tool rather than a scientific consensus. - **International Cooperation**: Schmitt was skeptical of the emphasis on international cooperation in the Society's roadmap, believing it could hinder rather than accelerate progress in space exploration.
These differences led Schmitt to resign from The Planetary Society, expressing concerns that the organization's direction did not align with his views on the future of space exploration.
Implications of the Resignation
Schmitt's departure from The Planetary Society highlighted the complexities and differing perspectives within the space advocacy community regarding the prioritization of missions and the approach to global issues like climate change. His resignation underscored the challenges organizations face in balancing diverse viewpoints while striving to advance their missions.
Conclusion
Dr. Harrison Schmitt's resignation from The Planetary Society in 2008 was a significant event that underscored the differing philosophies within the space exploration community. His advocacy for lunar exploration as a critical step toward Mars missions and his skepticism toward certain policy positions of The Planetary Society reflect the ongoing debates about the best path forward for human space exploration.