Posted on 05/13/2008 1:39:27 PM PDT by grimalkin
You can argue whether it constitutes religion but, your statement that "[manned space exploration is for the] long term survival of the human species" clearly indicates a humanistic and/or doomsday world view. Frankly, I'm not one bit concerned about man's long-term survival; I find it totally ridiculous. But, I don't demand you agree with my religious beliefs (much less fund them).
And I'm sure you could find all sorts of things two-thirds of Americans would have the federal government support—universal health care, for example—especially if you say those things won't exceed 1 percent of the federal budget. Space stuff is cool, everyone knows only government can do that kind of thing and, besides, 1% is nothing! The issue is not the size of the burden; the issue is the principle.
That's just my opinion, of course. Have your fun. ;^)
It isn’t “humanistic or doomsday” and one cannot throw this in that box and dismiss it as having “fun”
It’s hard fac.....
It’s the nature of our species to explore and go beyond the horizon, this is key why we succeed as a species, part of adaption and evolving forward. Wether it is humans exploring better hunting grounds, exploring space or exploring the nature of atoms.
And the reality that the earth is an oasis in a vast blackness and we have all our eggs in one basket right now.
Those are facts.
Expanding human presence beyond earth is part of those same processes that put Me and you where we are today.
If humans had just stayed put in a tiny corner of the world in small numbers none of us would be here today. That is fact.
I would advise to look beyond a tiny portion of taxes and consider the grand picture and factual reasons why we do such things.
It is moneys well spent. That is based on the principles. Because I am not looking at it myopically from a bean counters perspective, rather I see it as the mapping forward the course of the human race. It’s investment and insurance in the future.
Another reason why the human race has been so successful.
The brains ablity to imagine the future and mold it to suit our desires.
Science Channel To Broadcast Red Planet Landing Live May 25
Silver Spring MD (SPX) May 15, 2008
Science Channel will broadcast live coverage of mankind’s next major step in Mars exploration with MARS LIVE: THE PHOENIX LANDS premiering Sunday, May 25, 2008, from 7-9 PM (ET) and 4-6 PM (PT). Originating LIVE from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. and the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, the program will give viewers a first look at photos sent back from the Mars surface.
There will also be exclusive, in-depth analysis and perspective of the mission’s historic scientific implications from NASA Chief Scientist Dr. James B. Garvin, as well as firsthand reactions from scientists including Phoenix Mars Mission Principal Investigator Peter Smith.
“We’re incredibly proud that Science Channel will cover this extraordinary live event and offer our audience exclusive analysis of NASA’s historic mission,” said Clark Bunting, president and general manager, Discovery Emerging Networks. “Science Channel’s mandate is to celebrate and understand the full spectrum of science, so we’re excited to offer our viewers in-depth commentary of this exciting achievement as events unfold.”
In what is designed to be mankind’s best effort to date to find life on Mars, the rover has covered 422 million miles over the past nine months. Its mission is to help answer questions about life-supporting conditions on the planet by analyzing ice from the northern Martian arctic using a suite of onboard, state-of-the-art instruments.
Dr. James B. Garvin is the world’s leading expert on the surface of Mars. Throughout the broadcast, Dr. Garvin will guide viewers as the Phoenix Lander approaches the surface of Mars, and provide commentary in the critical moments when NASA loses radio contact with the rover. As the first pictures return from the Mars surface, Dr. Garvin will lend valuable perspective on what scientists are seeing and may find, and can speak to what conditions
My concern for landings in the Mars polar regions has been over the
condition of the subsurface.
Some reading this may recall the uncertainty over the lunar surface - would astronauts sink into a deep dust layer on landing? Of course, actually landing on the Moon dispelled that view (at least at the landing sites!).
The situation at the polar regions of Mars is a yearly cycle of sublimation and deposition of carbon dioxide and water frost, combined with airborne dust scattering and solar heating. Could the subsurface be honeycombed in some of the polar regions? Can that explain the loss of (at least) the Deep Space Two penetrators?
They’re going to dig at the ice caps? Better not let Algore find out about this!!!
I think the balloon deal is pretty good. Proven technology. On the cheap.
Nuttin wrong with that.
It limits how much you can send though.
And certainly people would not want to arrive bouncing about.
We need to master this stuff.
Check how the next rover will arrive on Mars...
“Sky Crane”.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0A-AgytQY0
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