Exploring Mars on Earth

BBC News ^ | Tuesday, 30 December, 2003 | Dr Robert Zubrin, President of the Mars Society

[presidio9]

We need to learn about Mars. As the most life-friendly extraterrestrial planet, Mars is the Rosetta Stone for letting us know whether the phenomenon of life is something unique to the Earth, or prevalent in the Universe.

The nearest planet with all the resources required for technological civilization, Mars will also be the decisive testing ground that will determine whether humanity can expand from its globe of origin to enjoy the unlimited prospects open to a spacefaring species.

Up to now, we have scanned Mars with telescopes and robotic probes, but our most potent instrument for scouting new worlds, the human explorer, has for the most part been left on the bench.

That has begun to change.

[presidio9]

Click on the link. The accompanying photos are priceless.

[firebrand]

I recommend the book. Fascinating stuff---not only the science but the dedicated people in it.

[Consort]

What does Mars have to do with life forms in any other part of the universe?

[mvpel]

If it is determined that life arose independently on Mars, then it can be surmised that it is likely that life is a common phenomenon, rather than a one-time fluke that just happened to go particularly well on Earth.

[King Prout]

space ping

[nightdriver]

Mars exploration seems like a last-gasp effort to prove that evolution is valid. The only good use I can think of for the planet is if we could somehow exile some of our politicians and judges there.

[Analyzing Inconsistencies]

Devon Island is not without its corruption scandals, though:

http://www.SpaceProjects.com/devon