 FAIR: Once they complete their mission to Mars, the astronauts  receive a video message from the U.S. President. Later on in the  film, when Colonel Carter Burgess Jr. reveals to Senator Judson Ross  that Patrick Ross is involved in series of murders, a picture of the  actual U.S. President at the time (Bill Clinton) can be seen hanging  from the wall in the office. Several months have passed between the  Presidents Video message and Colonel Carter Burgess visit to Senator  Judson Ross. (Round trip to mars was 18 months.) Enough time for a  presidential election to have take place