Space 'Renaissance' Puts Mars in Reach, Experts Say

A "renaissance" in space exploration is helping drive down the cost of going to orbit and will eventually help humanity get to Mars, said several speakers at the White House Frontiers Conference. The Interplanetary track of the event, held yesterday (Oct. 13) and broadcast via live stream, featured experts from NASA and several private companies to talk about how to make space more accessible for the private sector and the general public. At SpaceX, one of the most common T-shirt slogans seen is "Occupy Mars," said Tim Hughes, SpaceX's senior vice-president and general counsel.