[alnitak]

Could have done without the environmentalist claptrap in the last paragraph, but I broadly agree. Now all I have to do is become a millionaire. If anybody has any suggestions, freepmail me :-)

[marktwain]

Will they be as scrupulous in preserving the natural environment as, say, the governments involved in the Antarctic project have been? Or will they simply exploit the planets they conquer, much as was done to the American West?

The idea that the "exploitaition" of space is somehow bad is insane. It requires that we consider the use by man of any resource to be evil, which is to say that man himself is evil.

One can make an argument that the environment on earth should not be degraded because you owe it to your neighbors not to harm them. But to claim that changing a lifeless planet for one's own benefit is "harm" is insane.

It is saying that rocks have rights.

[mvpel]

[RightWhale]

space disasters become national traumas—and nations lose some of their will to explore

What seems to be happening is not a loss of will, but going back to the drafting board to fix the problem. Exploration will continue, while the schedule remains flexible.

The European Mars probe has lost 30% of its power, and if it gives out altogether don't expect Europe to give up on Mars.

Space exploration is going ahead on all fronts. We might like to go faster and have different goals, but those who allocate the budget have to decide. All we can do is make suggestions. Or, do it ourselves, but it would be hard for the CEO of Alcoa to find $15 billion a year to invest with any significant profit flow beginning at least 20 years down the road.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Didnt' Mars make enough off of Milky Ways and Snickers (Not to mention blue M&Ms) to pay for it needs?