NZ space expert asks NASA for lift to Mars

abc ^ | Tuesday, January 27, 2004

[demlosers]

A New Zealand scientist who specialises in space physics has launched a publicity campaign urging NASA to let him be the first physicist to land on Mars or the moon.

University lecturer Craig Rodger said it was time NASA changed direction and sent scientists into space instead of ex-military personnel.

US President George W Bush announced recently a revitalised space exploration program which aims to send manned missions to the moon from 2015 and eventually to Mars, and beyond.

Mr Rodger, a lecturer at Otago University in the south of New Zealand, has issued a press release and taken out newspaper advertisements calling on NASA to select him.

He said if he was not chosen he at least hoped the space agency would send someone from the scientific community.

"My campaign is to ensure they pick any eager scientists around the world ... rather than just a whole lot of military guys who went to the moon last time," he said.

"I would love to be that person.

"When you look at the Apollo missions... last time, just one geologist got to go to the surface of the moon... otherwise, it was a bunch of ex-fighter pilots.

"This is an opportunity for science and scientists to get on board."

NASA has already made initial steps to follow through on the Bush plan by nominating a former admiral, Craig Streidle, to head a new Office of Exploration Systems which will establish future priorities.

Mr Rodger said outer space exploration was "imperative" for the evolution of science and offered the chance to experiment in vacuums, in crystals and robotics.

"A base on the moon would be like the first European colonies in America, outposts requiring investment, commitment and expansion ... from a scientific viewpoint it would be amazing."

Mr Rodger specialises in Space Physics and the Upper Atmosphere.

He has a PhD in Physics from the University of Otago and undertook a two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship at the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge, England.

--AFP

[Professional Engineer]

University lecturer Craig Rodger said it was time NASA changed direction and sent scientists into space instead of ex-military personnel.

A balanced mix of the two would certainly be of value.

[RightWhale]

Would be great if we had to send a paleontologist, a botanist, and a linguist to Mars.

[Professional Engineer]

Heck, I'd change carrer paths for the chance.

[edwin hubble]

We've sent dozens of scientists into space.

Ex-military pilots fly the spacecraft, but a good number of scientists have gone on NASA flights, including geologist Harrison Schmitt on Apollo 17.

[Lokibob]

The only reason to send military personnel is because they have the discipline built into them for the training and the execution.

Sure, you can turn a fighter pilot into a geologist, but I'd like to see some others get a shot at it. All this coming from a retired military person. ( I wonder if they could find a seat for an overweight 62 year old). I'd go in a flash.

[Professional Engineer]

Yes, we have. I believe the scientist is refering to any future manned missions besides the LEO stuff on the shuttle/ISS. Sending Schmidt on Apollo 17 helped show the value of a scientist on the scene. I hope NASA hasn't forgotten that lesson.

[Professional Engineer]

Hence the balance. Ex jet jockeys to fly, but scientist for the rest of the crew. I'd go myself, given the chance.

[John Will]

Heh, Gives me more incntive to get the science degrees.

[Viking2002]

I'll second that.

[RightWhale]

Prediction:

If Opportunity finds seashells embedded in the stratified rock outcrop, Americans will lose interest in about 3 days, but the rest of the world will be changed forever. China and India will adapt and mobilize for space. Islam will demobilize and disappear; Palestinians won't notice either the disappearance of Islam or the migration into space.

[Viking2002]

I'd rather like to think that our space program would go into overdrive at that point.

[RightWhale]

our space program would go into overdrive

It would indeed, but not because of the average citizen's degree of caring. The Feds would, in America's interest in self-preservation, have to pump up NASA to meet the intense competition from the new kids on the block--India and China.

[Viking2002]

Sadly, you're right, and it is a damning indictment of the complacency we've lulled ourselves into.

[SICSEMPERTYRANNUS]

Correct me if I'm wrong but there are no ex-military officers on these missions. They active officers that are "loaned" to NASA.

SIC

[Prime Choice]

A New Zealand scientist who specialises in space physics has launched a publicity campaign urging NASA to let him be the first physicist to land on Mars or the moon.

He's a foreign national. It won't happen.

This guy is better off lobbying ESA than NASA.

I'm all for a multi-national force exploring the cosmos, but only if they're paying equally into the R&D and training...not if America's footing the bill.

[Prime Choice]

Prediction:
If Opportunity finds seashells embedded in the stratified rock outcrop, Americans will lose interest in about 3 days, but the rest of the world will be changed forever. China and India will adapt and mobilize for space. Islam will demobilize and disappear; Palestinians won't notice either the disappearance of Islam or the migration into space.

Curiously enough, similarly sunny predictions were made about such things coming to pass upon the discovery of the New World. As we both know, it didn't even remotely turn out that way.

As for Americans losing interest after 3 days, I don't recall their attention-span being that short when we were looking closely at ALH-8001.

And if the meltdowns we saw over ALH-8001 are any indication, we're going to see some serious China Syndromes in various religions over the discovery of any evidence of life on Mars.

[RightWhale]

some serious China Syndromes in various religions

That might be. Some will become pools of cooling slag. Others will do just fine.

[djf]

I know all the literature I read constantly quote the brilliant minds from the University of Otago.

[Professional Engineer]

Heh, Gives me more incntive to get the science degrees.

I hope it does for my kids as well.