Scientists at a congressional hearing on lunar science and resources debated the feasibility of exploiting lunar resources, and indicated that further exploration of the Moon could yield significant advances in lunar science. The hearing, held 1 April by the U.S. House of Representatives Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, was prompted by the announcement by President George W. Bush on 14 January of the Space Exploration Initiative. This has prompted a re-orientation in NASA to focus on space exploration and manned missions to the Moon and Mars. The first launch of a lunar robotic mission is slated for no later than 2008.