In 2001, Elon Musk conceptualized Mars Oasis, a project to land a miniature experimental greenhouse and grow plants on Mars. He announced that the project would be "the furthest that life's ever traveled" in an attempt to regain public interest in space exploration and increase the budget of NASA.[21][22][23][24] Musk tried to purchase cheap rockets from Russia but returned empty-handed after failing to find rockets for an affordable price.[25][26]