The Purpose of the Mars Society is to further the goal of exploration and settlement of the Red Planet. This will be done by:

1.Broad public outreach to instill the vision of pioneering Mars.

2.Support of ever more aggressive government funded Mars exploration programs around the world.

3.Conducting Mars exploration on a private basis.

Starting small, with hitchhiker payloads on government funded missions, we intend to use the credibility that such activity will engender to mobilize larger resources that will enable stand-alone private robotic missions and ultimately human exploration.

As if it were my electronic living room, MARS_DC is a restricted access forum and membership is contingent upon an earnest and reliable commitment to fair minded argument and fair dealing with all members. I would hope that no one is made to feel intimidated or restricted in raising any Mars relevant issue or asking any Mars relevant question. We place more value on light than heat here.

Web Page: http://chapters.marssociety.org/usa/dc/