Topic awaiting preservation: Going to Mars?

Could this be it? After so long? We are actually going to make a manned mission to Mars?
www.guardian.co.uk/spacedocumentary/story/0,2763,877363,00.html

I'm still of the opinion that a moon base would be the best next step (I was idly figuring out how I would go about it the other day) but perhaps they have been watching old episodes of 'Space 1999' at NASA and realised it was just too risky (although I bet the rocket nerds quite liked the idea of beautiful shapeshifting alien women).

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Emps

FAQs: Emperor

As a long-time science-fiction reader, particularly of 60s and 70s hard SF, I've been thoroughly conditioned to believe that space research is a driver of technology overall. A few billion dollars over the next seven years would be better spent on this than on (insert idiotic government project here -- there are tons).

edit: Drug enforcement, for instance.

[This message has been edited by Perfect Thunder (edited 01-18-2003).]

interesting..nothing to get too excited about any time soon by the sounds of it though.

I'm more interested in knowing how many people get the headline reference....

I too am a moonbase first advocate! Emps, it's so cool to know you favor one. Space 1999 was one of my favorite shows growing up.

DL-44, I give up, I don't get the headline reference I'm dying to know.

Also, I read that Project Orion book about the atomic spaceship that was in the works during the 60's and it was fascinating. Do you think they might be considering one similar to it when they refer to nuclear rocket? It's a very difficult technology to sell to the public with all the paranoia about nuclear power but it sure would be cool if they could develop something along those lines.

. . : slicePuzzle

Bugs: Yep the moonbase (alpha) is really the way to go anything else is just an inefficient use of resources. The main cost of space travel is actually getting things out of Earth's orbit (including stuff like oxygen). Once you establish a base on the moon you can mine the moon's minerals and the deuterium which means you can extract oxygen and other important goodies and once you have setup solar panels you'll have all the pwer you need (the dueterium is also a great fuel source). So you could bring togteher parts sent from Earth with other basic materials to build probes and space ships. An electromagnetic cannon could then be used to simply launch things from there and the whole solar sytem opens up. Going straight for Mars is another flawed attempt to get a big flashy result without establishing the essential infrastructure for a permanent presence outside of earth's orbit. Its sad really - esp. as we now have a space station which could act as the jumping off connection between the Earth and a moonbase. I listened to a piece on the radio about space elevators and advances in materials and microengineering really make this a possibiity and that would be another amazing step.

DL: Its nagging at me but I can't quite pin it down.

[edit: Lord my spellig is off tonight ]

___________________
Emps

FAQs: Emperor

"Life on Mars?" is a David Bowie song.

Here is the verse alluded to by the article author:
-----
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man! Look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the Lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
-----

Brought to you by your friendly neighborhood genis, without permission of course.

Ground Control to Major Tom,
Ground Control to Major Tom,
Take these protein pills
And put your helmet on.

-From "A Space Oddity, also Dave Bowie.

Unfortunately, another reason we aren't already on Mars is partially the fault of the American government for cutting NASA's budget at the height of space exploration. We should be on the moon by now. Bloody democracy, it never works!

That'd be the one genis =)

RN3 - I'm a little confused what that one has to do with the subject (aside from the obvious and vague connection of space...although Space Oddity is far more about heroin addiction than space travel...)



[This message has been edited by DL-44 (edited 01-19-2003).]

I think all those billions could be better spent on boosting our economy right here in our own backyard...I would like to see the unemployment rate be somewhere around 1% for more than four years running... Ok so it's a pipedream... at this point so is a manned trip to Mars

Wouldn't spending money on going to Mars help to reduce unemployment?

RN3, what form of govt do you prefer?

I don't see how that would bring the unemployment rate nationwide (US) down around the 1% mark and keep it there...enlighten me Bugs

Well, nothing is going to bring it down permanently but pouring millions into a national effort to get to Mars will create lotsa jobs. That's all I meant.

If you want to really do the trick, support Bush's tax cuts and then get on his case for proposing such tiny ones! Our tax rates are basically applying the brakes to an economy that has far more potential, IMHO.

I can see that somewhat...on the otherhand I think war will do far more to boost our economy at present

I think we would be far better off without it, economically speaking. Rumsfeld is pushing for Hussein to opt for exile. Believe me, as much as people think America just wants to kill people because we're evil, we would very much prefer Hussein to step down without having to fire a shot. The economy is very skiddish right now because of anticipating further terrorist attacks and the prospect of war.

I seriously doubt that Bush will settle for anything less than war. He's intent on starting one, totally oblivious to the international outrage that will spark from this. The US should have voted in Al Gore.

I believe Bush has handled the war on terror far better than Gore *could* have. I don't say that to put Gore down but because I believe that was not one of his strengths. In fact, shortly after 9/11 I had heard that one of Gore's former campaign advisors stated as much, off the record, of course.

And why don't you blame Hussein for the coming war? He's the one who has violated the cease fire agreements, not Bush.

Maybe the reason we don't have any bases on the moon is because the aliens use it and they don't want our presence there, that would also explain the reason why there have been no moon landings in so long.
This theory of course is rather hard to believe, but who knows.

Alien Moon Base

Cell 816~ teamEarth ~Asylum Quotes

I like this plan.
It will dump loads of money into researching new uses for nuclear energy as a power source.

It's veiled as that Mars thing, but I don't care what it takes to appease the radical anti-nuclear lobby, I like money going into scientific research.

I really don't think it's the government's job to hand it out, but that's another argument.

Project Orion: Atomic Spaceship This is a great read if you like Science Fiction *and* Science Reality

Man, this article really sort of...well, got to me China to shoot for the moon .

If it is successful, I hope that such an event will give the American space program that needed 'kick', to get it back in gear...especially in response to this :

quote:

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State media said last year that China wanted to establish a moon base, while space exhibitions have suggested Beijing had ambitions to eventually explore Mars as well.

Due to the extreme secrecy of China's space program, it is difficult for outside observers to estimate the extent to which these visions are just fantasy, or have a basis in the country's real capabilities.

-- Spacedaily.com

---

America cannot allow the the loss of control of space. As such, the Chinese space program, and scope must be taken seriously (IMHO). What if they beat us to Mars? What if they actually do succeed in colonizing the Moon?

On a positive note Are There Earth-Like Planets around other Stars? This project is really exciting me...I didn't know that it was planned. I sincerely hope that it will be carried out...

[This message has been edited by WebShaman (edited 03-03-2003).]

Space. That stuff in between the other stuff. These are the voyages of the space ship [insert space ship name here]. Its ongoing 2 week mission: to float about in orbit and do experiments.

But seriously, folks, the moonbase idea would most definately be the best thing they could do. Space flight would be cheaper and more frequent. Earth could be powered by the moon (it is incredibly abundant in helium-3, which is a fantastic energy source!) We wouldn't have to strip mine our own planet. And the dark side of the moon is the absolute perfect place to set up a really big telescope (no light or radio pollution from Earth).

The biggest hurdle will be the decision to do it.



[This message has been edited by Rameses Niblik the Third (edited 03-03-2003).]

Well, that's why I hope the Chinese are serious about this...it gives the needed incentive, to actually do it. Can't let the Chinese control Space, now, can we? Or the Moon...or even Mars.

I hope that this happens...Colonizing the Solar System is a must...