In a theme repeated throughout Wednesday's press conference, NASA Administrator Dan Goldin emphasized that the emotional impact of the possible discovery of ancient life on Mars will not impact future plans for the space agency.
       "We will be governed by scientific throught and principles and not emotion," Goldin said during the press conference. "We will not do anything irresponsible."
       Goldin did admit, though, that the scientific outcome of current and followup work may cause NASA to revise its schedule of planned robotic missions to Mars by moving a planned sample return mission up several years.
       "We may have to accelerate our scientific activities," Goldin said, and mentioned that a sample return mission, planned for 2005, may be moved up to 2001.
       Throughout the press conference, Goldin emphasized that despite the historic significance of the discovery, if confirmed, the ten-year plan of robotic missions to Mars would be unaltered unless scientists believe that a different set of priorities should be adopted. "We will be driven by a scientific process and not a rush to go to Mars," he said.
       Goldin addressed the possibility of cross-contamination between Earth-based and any Martian lifeforms by noting that there are strict procedures for sterilization of Mars-bound spacecraft and contamination prevention procedures on Earth. "We would rather not have a mission go until we are sure there is no front or back contamination," he said. "That is non-negotiable."
       Goldin rejected suggestions that this discovery might allow NASA to increase its shrinking budget. "Let's not think in the old-think that money is the magic ingredient," he said.
       While maintaining a logical course for the space agency's Mars program, he did not contain his personal enthusiasm for the event. "What a time to be alive!" he announced. "In the last year we've discovered planets around nearby stars, we've probed to the depths of the universe to see the formation and birth of galaxies. And today, we are on the threshold of establishing that life is not unique to planet earth."
       "As a small boy," Goldin said, "my father took me to the Hayden Planetarium in New York City. And I'll never forget that first view of the heavens that was interpreted to me. And last night, I called my father in Florida, who isn't feeling too well lately. And when I told him what was about to happen today, I could hear the vibrancy in his voice."
       "And if this meeting did anything, it helped my father feel better."