Is it worth the money to step foot on Mars?

Mountain Reporter ^ | 1-21-04 | Steven Stiefel

[ambrose]

Sand Mountain Reporter
http://sandmountainreporter.com

Copyright © 2004 Sand Mountain Reporter

Is it worth the money to step foot on Mars?

By Steven Stiefel
Sand Mountain Reporter

Published January 22, 2004

Should we return to the moon and step foot on Mars?

That?s the agenda set by President George W. Bush in hopes of winning re-election. Certainly, that would have a huge impact on Marshall County citizens who work for NASA in Huntsville.

Some might argue we have plenty of urgent needs here at home, that we should make sure no child goes without a textbook before spending billions to reach for the stars.

I believe in the benefits of space exploration: inspiring those children to learn math and science, propelling human imagination as surely as the actual rocketships. I believe in the human drive to learn more about the universe and our role in it. I believe in the future of mankind, my future descendants colonizing the galaxy just as my predecessors carved a great nation out of wilderness.

Many benefits of America?s space program are tangible enough to see and take for granted every day.

Among the products we use today that would not have been without the U.S. Space program: satellites, fire-resistant materials, sewage treatment, wireless communications, firefighter air tanks, winter tires, engine coatings, lightweight cutters to free accident victims, computer chips used for digital imaging breast biopsies, ultrasound scanners, insulin pumps, MRIs, radiation insulation, hydroponics, aerodynamically-efficient corporate jets, safer bridges, emission testing, electric cars, auto design, new semiconductors, structural analysis used by auto manufacturers, air quality monitors, virtual reality, global positioning systems used in navigation, microcomputers, enriched baby foods, water purification systems, scratch-resistant lenses, pool purification technology, energy-saving air conditioning, competition swimsuits, golf ball aerodynamics, portable coolers/warmers, cardiovascular sports training, athletic shoes, Dustbuster, shock-absorbing helmets, home security systems, smoke detectors, flat panel TVs, high-density batteries, trash compactors, food packaging and freeze-dried technology, sports bras, weather forecasting technology, laser angioplasty, microlasers for precision welding, and interactive computer training.

Have these inventions been worth the money we have invested as taxpayers? Just think of the lives saved and the efficiency measures that allow American companies to remain competitive internationally.

Out of a $1.5 trillion budget, less than 1 percent is spent on the entire space program.

Conservative estimates are for every dollar the U.S. government spends on the space proram, it receives $7 back in the form of corporate and personal income taxes from increased jobs and economic growth.

There will be those who say it is foolish to look at that big rock in the night sky, but future wonders await us. Just think what new minerals might be waiting elsewhere, allowing us to build stronger equipment or providing links that lead to solving diseases here on Earth.

We?ll never know unless we go. Tell your congressmen you support space exploration.

 

 

[ambrose]

[Irene Adler]

Set foot.

[annyokie]

Yes.

[South40]

[SF Republican]

NO; unless the UN wants to move.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Among the products we use today that would not have been without the U.S. Space program: satellites, fire-resistant materials, sewage treatment, wireless communications, firefighter air tanks, winter tires, engine coatings, lightweight cutters to free accident victims, computer chips used for digital imaging breast biopsies, ultrasound scanners, insulin pumps, MRIs, radiation insulation, hydroponics, aerodynamically-efficient corporate jets, safer bridges, emission testing, electric cars, auto design, new semiconductors, structural analysis used by auto manufacturers, air quality monitors, virtual reality, global positioning systems used in navigation, microcomputers, enriched baby foods, water purification systems, scratch-resistant lenses, pool purification technology, energy-saving air conditioning, competition swimsuits, golf ball aerodynamics, portable coolers/warmers, cardiovascular sports training, athletic shoes, Dustbuster, shock-absorbing helmets, home security systems, smoke detectors, flat panel TVs, high-density batteries, trash compactors, food packaging and freeze-dried technology, sports bras, weather forecasting technology, laser angioplasty, microlasers for precision welding, and interactive computer training.

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Does anyone actually believe this hyperbole?

[Mark was here]

Only if NASA does it with voluntary donations.

The time has come to say no to every new government program that comes along, other wise it will be impossible to say no to any government program.

This is just a more "upscale" welfare program designed to transfer the wealth of the workers to those in government graces.

[LibWhacker]

Remember what Dubya said in his NASA speech last week:

Two centuries ago, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark left St. Louis to explore the new lands acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. They made that journey in the spirit of discovery, to learn the potential of vast new territory, and to chart a way for others to follow.

So the answer is a resounding "YES!"

Damn the Luddites. Full speed ahead!

[robertpaulsen]

"Is it worth the money to step foot on Mars?"

Are we going to be subjected to articles with these kind of titles for the next 20 years?

20 years of, "Can't this money be better spent on ......?" Please, no.

[SauronOfMordor]

Money spent getting to Mars is better spent than money spent supporting a million welfare brood mares

[Mark was here]

Does anyone actually believe this hyperbole?

Oh come on, you know NASA developed moveable type, get with the program!

[cripplecreek]

im with you. yank the financial nipple out of the mouths of americas social programs and use it for real good.

[ambrose]

Damn the Luddites. Full speed ahead!

Bump!

[calljack]

Tough to put a price tag on the value of exploration and discovery. Not a question I think you can absolutly answer in advance so by default I would say yes. Very few things on the list that have potential unlimited upside but this is one of them. Besides,if not us,who??

[Mark was here]

Damn the Luddites. Full speed ahead!

And don't forget to tax them after you are through ridiculing them.

Funny how you want their money, not their opinion.

[xJones]

Should we return to the moon and step foot on Mars?

I don't know, is the moon turning into Mars?

Just as a practical consideration, it will take months for an astronaut to hopefully land on that dismal excuse for real estate. Do we have a choice on who's going?

[ex-snook]

"Is it worth the money to step foot on Mars?"

Follow the money and see who thinks it is worthwhile. Actually it may just be the Bush imitation of Roosevelt's WPA for unemployed scientists [hopefully American].

[Diogenesis]

Yes. Absolutely. Positively. Affirmative.

Let's get a permission slip from the UN. [just kidding about the slavers and terrorists in the UN]

[petercooper]

No

[JoeSchem]

Does anyone actually believe this hyperbole?

Like the writer says, we'll never know unless we go. By the way, I can put astronauts on Mars tomorrow, if you give me $1,000,000,000 today. Am I trustworthy? You'll never know unless you give.