Zubrin: Mars Is Our Goal

New York Times ^ | December 9, 2003 | Bob Zubrin

[samtheman]

Not only are robot vehicles are cheaper way to bring back life-evidence from Mars, but they are safer. Less chance of contaminating the planet with our own microbes before we determine what's there now.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

[samtheman]

Personally, I'd love to go to the moon. I look forward to the day when there are hotels there.

[tet68]

And mile long bowling alleys!

Think about this, think about it! Moon Hoops!

Professional Moon Basketball League.

Hoops twenty feet in the air!

The possiblities are endless.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

See you there!

[Smokin' Joe]

We made this mistake in the moon race. Instead of building a Space Station first (as Von Braun suggested), then constructing exploration vehicles in space, we went with the other route and launched directly from Earth. We could have had Earth-orbit rendezvous of lunar and other exploration craft. After the Moon, we would have still had a foothold in space to continue to explore, and possibly colonize. Instead, we got some data, some nice pictures, some rocks, and memories.

IMHO, if we intend to have a presence elsewhere in our solar system, we should act like it. Establish and expand. A solid moon base would allow asteroid exploration for raw materials (manned or otherwise) and manufacturing in low g utilizing those materials, without EPA regs. That alone has merit.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The goal needs to be stated. Bush is the one who can give the order and the time frame. A lot of people are waiting to hear his mission outline.