Bush plans first manned mission to Mars

US President George W Bush is set to announce plans for the first manned mission to Mars.

And the ambitious plan is being spearheaded largely by a man with family connections in Cork and Kerry - NASA administrator Sean O’Keefe.

Buoyed by a successful landing on Mars by a robot explorer, Mr Bush will make a major announcement on space policy next week that envisions sending Americans back to the moon and ultimately to Mars, officials and congressional aides said yesterday.