From Kitty Hawk to Mars

Journal-Sentinel ^ | December 16, 2003 | staff

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Pining for the moon in these uncertain times

[thoughtomator]

A permanent moon colony is the first logical step in establishing a human presence on Mars. We need to be back on the moon first, and for good.

[Knightsofswing]

What we need are the guts to do this! We NEED to got to Mars & back to the moon.
By our very nature mankind has to explore, to see what is over the next hill, around the bend of the river. Our planet is growing too small, and we need to spred out. We also need to cut the goverment out of the exploration biz. Let those who want to go to different places go, and like the hoesteaders of our past we will flourish. Yes, some may not live long in this great endevor, but the cost of failing is too darned high. What great acheviement [sp] was ever done without someone paying the highest price.
Would I go?

In two words;


HECK YES !!!!

[Mr. K]

I wish they would get a REALLY good look at the face on mars- there are pyramids nearby (really) and an infra-red image of the reagion showed squares of differing values (buried agriculture?)

In my opinion something hit mars and that is why the surface is covered with all the same rubble.

It would be so cool if they discovered ancient civilization...

[The_Victor]

Good article, but I've come to expect that from you.

One point of curiosity though:

But the same technology that eventually took people to the moon also yielded the fire-bombing of Dresden and the events of Sept. 11, 2001

Rocketry and aircraft are vastly different technologies. Yes I know, I'm being picky, but am I missing something obvious in the connection here?

[theDentist]

As long as we keep in mind that the Moon is not the ultimate destination. I'm not certain Mars is either, but it's the next giant leap for Mankind.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

16 December 2003: White House Considering Bold Space Initiative Fox News

17 December 2003: NASA Hoping Stars Align for New Quest Washington Post

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!

[thoughtomator]

It would be cooler if they discovered ancient human civilization... though I suppose that will likely remain the stuff of science-fiction.

[Hatteras]

Hmmm.... Bump.

[CGTRWK]

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration estimates that it would take $400 billion to get to Mars. The Mars Society says it can be done for $30 billion. It's time to find out which estimate is closer to the mark.

The federal government is spending more on non defense related programs than at any time in history and running a $300 billion plus dollar a year deficit in the process. This is the time for tens to hundreds of billions of dollars in new spending?

There's nothing noble about space exploration. It's welfare for aerospace engineers.

[mvpel]

The "Face on Mars:"

[Brett66]

Well, it looks like the pointy-headed academics have a new talking point.

[night reader]

A permanent moon colony is the first logical step in establishing a human presence on Mars. We need to be back on the moon first, and for good.

With an American Flag above the colony. Anyone else present is a guest.

[The_Victor]

Well, it looks like the pointy-headed academics have a new talking point.

It's so stupid, too. If you want to point out the good vs. evil use of technology, the V2 killed thousands in London, and was the direct predecessor to the Mercury Redstone. Aside from some materials, the B-17 (used to bomb Dresden), Boeing 757, and the Apollo rocket have no common technology.

[RadioAstronomer]

A permanent moon colony is the first logical step in establishing a human presence on Mars. We need to be back on the moon first, and for good.

I completely agree. Developing Lunar and cislunar infrastructures should, IMHO, be our priority prior to a manned Mars mission.

[RadioAstronomer]

We also need to cut the goverment out of the exploration biz.

Where does the money come from?

[mvpel]

There's also a logical argument to be made that if you want to go to Mars, you should just go to Mars, rather than to the Moon.

[mvpel]

The government has been in the exploration biz since 1492 or earlier.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I completely agree. Developing Lunar and cislunar infrastructures should, IMHO, be our priority prior to a manned Mars mission.

Bump!