NASA's press conference was like a nuclear bomb. It received a strong international response.
The BFR rocket had a 550-ton low-Earth orbit carrying capacity!
The Ares was going to launch in a month, sending the life support system to Mars!
China wasn't even a competitor!
All of Carson's statements were well received by the Americans.
Media outlets such as The New York Times were criticizing NASA not too long ago, but now, their stance totally changed. They instantly praised Space-X and the Ares project.
Aerospace was the future of humanity; it was the pride and joy of Americans.
Ever since they defeated the Russians in landing on the Moon, China had been slowly creeping up.
People thought it was ridiculous that NASA sat around while China was catching up.
Now that NASA finally had something to respond with, the Americans didn't criticize them anymore. Rather, they gave them applause and praise.