washington u.s. president barack obama highlight pledge send people mar 2030s tuesday announce public-private efforts build habitats could help humans live long-term far earth work commercial partner build new habitats sustain transport astronauts long-duration missions deep space missions teach us humans live far earth something need long journey mar obama say opinion piece cnn website comment come ahead meet plan white house pittsburgh week team scientists students others advance commercial space market obama say nasa separately say coordinate commercial space company develop deep space habitat modules create opportunities company use international space station dock port obama previously seek boost space exploration renew pledge tuesday set clear goal vital next chapter america story space send humans mar 2030s return safely earth ultimate ambition one day remain extend time two-term president recommitment come final months tenure face uncertain future leave office january successors choose nov. election could also reshape congress allocate government fund obama self-described nerd last year host bud astronomers white house make know love space democratic presidential candidate hillary clinton rival republican donald trump give little attention issue campaign trail humans yet travel mar earth neighbor 35 million miles 56 million km away like earth so-called red planet also season 2012 national aeronautics space administration nasa mission find condition support microbial life accord u.s. space agency would take eight months get depend rocket velocity accord nasa experts efforts fund space program falter recent years concern fiscal priorities part space habitat effort nasa say tuesday enter so-called prove grind stage demonstrate test various technologies next 10 years obama say work begin habitats help humans reach mar