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Mars a giant step, but 'doable' Apollo 11 commander recalls moon mission, space race with Soviets
The Huntsville Times ^ | Wednesday, May 23, 2007 | WAYNE SMITH

Posted on 05/23/2007 4:56:11 AM PDT by Condor 63

NASHVILLE - The first man to walk on the moon told an audience of nearly 3,000 Intergraph customers and employees Tuesday that although a mission to Mars would be difficult, it can be done.

Neil Armstrong, the commander of Apollo 11, spoke for nearly an hour on stage at the Gaylord Opryland Convention Center, reflecting on the space age that began 50 years ago.

(Excerpt) Read more at al.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: mars; nasa; neilarmstrong
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1 posted on 05/23/2007 4:56:14 AM PDT by Condor 63
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To: Condor 63

Congratulations to Armstrong.

It’s not often that you see a 77-year-old described as “doable” in the newspaper.


2 posted on 05/23/2007 5:01:39 AM PDT by PBRSTREETGANG
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To: Condor 63

I don’t really think it’s doable under the present circumstances.


3 posted on 05/23/2007 5:07:16 AM PDT by Brilliant
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To: Condor 63

“He said helium 3 is needed to fuel fusion reactors for nuclear plants.”

Except that we don’t have any fusion reactors.


4 posted on 05/23/2007 5:09:29 AM PDT by Brilliant
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To: PBRSTREETGANG

If I’m not mistaken, this is the first public appearance he’s made in decades.


5 posted on 05/23/2007 5:10:09 AM PDT by Brilliant
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To: PBRSTREETGANG

ROFL!


6 posted on 05/23/2007 5:11:33 AM PDT by FRForever (http://www.constitutionparty.com)
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To: Condor 63

I think it’s doable too, but have an idea that would, in my opinion, greatly increase the chances for a successful mission to Mars. Make it a one-way trip. That way, all the resources of the spacecraft would be geared towards getting there and setting up a colony, rather than storing fuel and supplies for a return trip to earth. I realize that some might have moral questions about such a mission, but I am sure there would be explorers willing to do this.


7 posted on 05/23/2007 5:18:58 AM PDT by IndyTiger
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To: Condor 63

We will remain on this planet until the US withdraws from the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies of 1967


8 posted on 05/23/2007 5:19:45 AM PDT by frithguild (The Freepers moved as a group, like a school of sharks sweeping toward an unaware and unarmed victim)
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To: IndyTiger

Elderly astronauts for early scouting missions.


9 posted on 05/23/2007 5:39:52 AM PDT by cripplecreek (Greed is NOT a conservative ideal.)
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To: IndyTiger
Make it a one-way trip.

Plenty of people on death row would probably jump at the chance.
10 posted on 05/23/2007 5:40:29 AM PDT by P-40 (Al Qaeda was working in Iraq. They were just undocumented.)
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To: PBRSTREETGANG

Ha!!


11 posted on 05/23/2007 5:41:23 AM PDT by Hegewisch Dupa
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To: Condor 63

He’s wrong. If it were pre-Nixon, i.e., pre-Affirmative Action, it would be difficult and expensive, but doable. Now it’s impossible in the public sector.


12 posted on 05/23/2007 5:44:49 AM PDT by jammer
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A trip to Mars would be a waste.


13 posted on 05/23/2007 5:58:24 AM PDT by webboy45
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To: P-40
Plenty of people on death row would probably jump at the chance.

Would Americans want their first representative on another planet to be a death row criminal?

14 posted on 05/23/2007 6:33:26 AM PDT by Vince Ferrer
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To: Vince Ferrer

That would be my only objection...but the pool of volunteers may be limited otherwise.


15 posted on 05/23/2007 6:35:54 AM PDT by P-40 (Al Qaeda was working in Iraq. They were just undocumented.)
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To: Vince Ferrer
Would Americans want their first representative on another planet to be a death row criminal?

China won't have any problem with it when they get there first. ;)

"One way trip" doesn't have to mean "one way forever" - the idea can be that once the base is up and running, future ships can ferry passengers back and forth and bring the builders home, if they so desire. It just raises the risk for the first crew, because they won't be able to get back on their own.

16 posted on 05/23/2007 6:37:52 AM PDT by Mr. Jeeves ("Wise men don't need to debate; men who need to debate are not wise." -- Tao Te Ching)
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To: IndyTiger
I realize that some might have moral questions about such a mission, but I am sure there would be explorers willing to do this.

Jihad Astronauts?

17 posted on 05/23/2007 6:38:20 AM PDT by Ditto (Global Warming: The 21st Century's Snake Oil)
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To: Condor 63
Yeah, it could be done, though a few minutes' thought will show that it would be a huge undertaking.

But the real question is, why should it be done? What is there about Mars that would justify the immense cost of sending a few people to visit? I honestly cannot think of one.

The more rational and sustainable approach would be to ignore Mars altogether, and focus on building space infrastructure closer to home. Once that's in place, Mars will be a natural and relatively easy goal.

Otherwise, it's just another Apollo program, but with a duration that makes it far too long to be an "event". It would never survive the politics.

18 posted on 05/23/2007 6:42:21 AM PDT by r9etb
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To: PBRSTREETGANG

Maybe he’s “doable” to some of his 75 year old female fans. :-)


19 posted on 05/23/2007 6:43:38 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Duncan Hunter 2008 (or Fred Thompson if he ever makes up his mind))
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To: Condor 63

Wow. I thought Armstrong never made public appearances anymore?


20 posted on 05/23/2007 6:44:10 AM PDT by Constitution Day
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