NASA project ARTEMIS and Marching to Mars

[YJ02]

Private sector seems to be fairly serious about this-makes me think they know there is something to exploit there--cynical, I know

do we "need" to go there? or should we just resign ourselves to staying put?
do we deserve to spread out to Mars or the moons of Jupiter?

I know I'll never make it-but someday someone may

sign ups for the 4 person one way mission:

http://www.space.com/21005-mars-one-colony-applications.html

the "as it currently stands" status of mission:

http://www.space.com/20999-nasa-manned-mars-missions.html


would building a launch base on the moon make the trip to mars easier? i am sure not having to escape earth's field is a bonus

 

[Gatefan1976]

I think the best thing to do would be to make an orbital/lunar base first. Being able to design craft without the need to worry about inter-atmosphere travel would be a huge step forward. Hell, even in Trek very few ships are designed to handle atomospheric entry.

 

[shavedape]

Manned space flight just within our solar system would be a massive undertaking. It would be easier, cheaper and faster to just send unmanned probes. Spending billions (trillions?) just to cram a couple human bodies into a metal tube just to have their bones go to jelly from a lack of gravitational pressure after 6 months flight time* would be dumb. And that doesn't even include the time spent on Mars and the return time for the return flight home.

Yes, people have stayed for long periods on a space station but it has very detrimental effects on their bodies. When they get back to Earth they can't even walk, that's how atrophied their bones and certain muscles have become. And no amount of time on some pseudo-weight machine on board can prevent that. Now consider the fact that we're talking about a ship going to Mars which would have every single gram of weight accounted for and yet we're going to put exercise machines on this ship? Plus food. Plus things for entertainment so the people on board don't die of boredom. Plus clothes. Plus seats and beds and personal computers and don't forget the framed pics of the wife and kids. Plus poop and pee and tampoonies and God knows what else that humans need to have with them.

Why??? Just send a highly developed unmanned probe instead. It would be cheaper, safer and much, much faster in terms of both development and time tables.




(*Yes, it would be that long; 4 month flight plus 2 months to get an orbital trajectory "sling shot" boost from planet Earth to get up to speed)

 

[YJ02]

Manned space flight just within our solar system would be a massive undertaking. It would be easier, cheaper and faster to just send unmanned probes. Spending billions (trillions?) just to cram a couple human bodies into a metal tube just to have their bones go to jelly from a lack of gravitational pressure after 6 months flight time* would be dumb. And that doesn't even include the time spent on Mars and the return time for the return flight home.

Yes, people have stayed for long periods on a space station but it has very detrimental effects on their bodies. When they get back to Earth they can't even walk, that's how atrophied their bones and certain muscles have become. And no amount of time on some pseudo-weight machine on board can prevent that. Now consider the fact that we're talking about a ship going to Mars which would have every single gram of weight accounted for and yet we're going to put exercise machines on this ship? Plus food. Plus things for entertainment so the people on board don't die of boredom. Plus clothes. Plus seats and beds and personal computers and don't forget the framed pics of the wife and kids. Plus poop and pee and tampoonies and God knows what else that humans need to have with them.

Why??? Just send a highly developed unmanned probe instead. It would be cheaper, safer and much, much faster in terms of both development and time tables.




(*Yes, it would be that long; 4 month flight plus 2 months to get an orbital trajectory "sling shot" boost from planet Earth to get up to speed)

yes, but apparently someone thinks they can tackle all this

and

so long as it includes private money and little or no gov money then let them have at it.

 

[shavedape]

yes, but apparently someone thinks they can tackle all this

and

so long as it includes private money and little or no gov money then let them have at it.

Oh believe me, if something like this could be done with only private money I would support it, but we both know that in the long run it would be heavily subsidized if not totally covered by the government. That's just how it is.

 

[Bluce Ree]

Oh believe me, if something like this could be done with only private money I would support it, but we both know that in the long run it would be heavily subsidized if not totally covered by the government. That's just how it is.

I'd rather have my tax dollars fund missions that further humanity than buying useless tanks and other military gear the Pentagon neither wants nor needs.

 

[shavedape]

I'd rather have my tax dollars fund missions that further humanity than buying useless tanks and other military gear the Pentagon neither wants nor needs.

Now hold up! Let's not be hasty here. Let's take a deep breath and think this through. How about I meet you halfway? You can have your mission to Mars but the cargo has to be tanks, lots and lots of tanks. :encouragement:

 

[Bluce Ree]

Now hold up! Let's not be hasty here. Let's take a deep breath and think this through. How about I meet you halfway? You can have your mission to Mars but the cargo has to be tanks, lots and lots of tanks. :encouragement:

Throw in the whole of Congress and you got yourself a deal! :encouragement:

 

[Overmind One]

This is stupid...we are not ready to colonize any other planet. How about we take care of out own planet first? . Send probes, send robots and take some cool video with sound. But I really hope that we dont export our divided mentality and primitive concepts on how society should be run to another planet. We just are not ready.

 

[Rac80]

we lost the momentum in the 70's. I remember watching man walk on the moon at age 7 and hoping my children would walk on Mars...but America lost Kennedy's vision and we remain planet bound....but someday.....

 

[shavedape]

we lost the momentum in the 70's. I remember watching man walk on the moon at age 7 and hoping my children would walk on Mars...but America lost Kennedy's vision and we remain planet bound....but someday.....

You forget, Kennedy was a filthy Democrat.

 

[Overmind One]

You forget, Kennedy was a filthy Democrat.

Yep...a durned librul.

 

[Rac80]

You forget, Kennedy was a filthy Democrat.

No he was one of the good ones; back when they had a certain level of integrity unlike his brother- the Naval Hero of Chappaquiddick!

 

[shavedape]

No he was one of the good ones; back when they had a certain level of integrity unlike his brother- the Naval Hero of Chappaquiddick!

Yes, but what good are guns going to do anyone in the low gravity of Mars?

 

[Rac80]

LOL yep it's off topic- but to illustrate how the democratic party of the 1960's had qualities to admire, unlike today's.

 

[Overmind One]

LOL yep it's off topic- but to illustrate how the democratic party of the 1960's had qualities to admire, unlike today's.

So did the Republicans. No religion in the party planks, no social morality issues, and lots more diversity. Today, it has become a church populated by wild eyed Teavangelicals like Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin.

 

[Rac80]

I's take them over maxine waters and queen nancy anyday of the week. I wouldn't leave a child of mine alone with any dem- they are baby killers you know!

 

[Gatefan1976]

--- merged: May 9, 2013 at 3:38 PM ---

 

[Overmind One]

I's take them over maxine waters and queen nancy anyday of the week. I wouldn't leave a child of mine alone with any dem- they are baby killers you know!

Agree on Maxine Waters and Nasty Pelosi. But the only baby killers are well...the killers of babies (as in killed after birth). Abortion has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with freedom.
--- merged: May 9, 2013 at 4:30 PM ---

--- merged: May 9, 2013 at 3:38 PM ---

OMG, why do so many people quote from fictional books?

 

[Jim of WVa]

Yes, but what good are guns going to do anyone in the low gravity of Mars?

They would still work, but their sights would have to be adjusted.