[Eurotwit]

How the world has changed... A daring enterpreneurial PRIVATE space initiative...

from the Russians.

[Drango]

I nominate Ted Kennedy to go...

[cheme]

I thier wet dreams

[Izzy Dunne]

So do they want them back?

[TopQuark]

the project could "solve the problem of national prestige".

Ah... the Russians...

You can take a Russian out of socialism but you cannot take the inferiority complex out of him.

[RightWhale]

Private funding! They would become famous, and possibly rich, too. They don't have to actually land on Mars, just fly by, maybe drop into orbit if they have enough fuel, and then head back. Russians could do this, they have the pioneering spirit.

[TheLion]

"Six astronauts will make the trip in a low-budget craft."

Betcha it's a one way trip. I'm sure they will find some suckers to go, no matter what.

[KevinDavis]

More power to them...

[davisfh]

"Six astronauts will make the trip in a low-budget craft based on a Russian Zvezda module carrying a 70-ton landing unit and a rover."

I see this as a recipe for disaster. In my opinion, a mission to Mars will take many years. Materiel will have to be deposited on the planet over a period of several years (habitat material, food, water, medical supplies and everything essential to life) and it will be necessary to verify that the materiel has arrived in usuable condition. I don't see this as a mission wherein a few astronauts will be launched to Mars and retrieved a few months later. Their survivability needs to be reasonably assured. Otherwise, we need to launch a few Muslims. They appear to me to be suicidal and would probably be happy to undertake this mission as long as Allah approves.

[Viking2002]

And China's gunning for the moon, too.

'He who controls the high ground.......'

[Brett66]

Every few months, these "Russian scientists" make a bold proclamation about how they're going to Mars. If it didn't cost any money, I'm sure they would.

[lepton]

Russian scientists yesterday announced an ambitious project to send a manned mission to Mars by 2009.

But will they make any provision for them to return...or for that matter, even land?

[Khurkris]

Puttin' there is the easy part.

Bringin' 'em back is the real trick.

[XHogPilot]

Russian plan to put men on Mars 'by 2009'

But when will they bring them back?

[PISANO]

Oh no, Mr. President we can NOT allow a "MARS LANDING" gap!!

[boris]

"Managers from Aviacosmicheskie Sistemy, an aerospace company based in Moscow, said their objective could be achieved using existing technology for no more than £2.7 billion, about a fifth of Nasa's projected costs.

"The company plans to set up a space station beyond the Moon as a staging post for a three-year manned flight to Mars.

"Six astronauts will make the trip in a low-budget craft based on a Russian Zvezda module carrying a 70-ton landing unit and a rover.

When pigs fly out my nether orifice.

--Boris

[Frohickey]

Is there going to be a planned return trip too? ;)

[kenth]

They might be able to put men on Mars, but the real question is will they put LIVE men on Mars.

[jslade]

Now they'll really go broke.

[gipper81]

Yeah. Right.