Spring time on Mars

[skr 1]

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap030422.html

[misskriss 0]

Now I know where I'm going on vacation...

[billvon 3,072]

I am constantly amazed that we have such an interesting planet right next door by planetary standards, and are content not to go there. It's ten times more interesting than the moon, and not a lot harder to get there.

[TheAnvil 0]

OK. Who's up for BASE off of Olympus Mons?

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[Zenister 0]

i got to play in a F-16 simulator (the real AF version not a video game) that had been loaded with the radar maps from mars..

some of those canyons are deep enough we were dogfighting in them and rarely had to worry about "bottoming out"

____________________________________
Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[TheAnvil 0]

I'd agree with you in some aspects. I too am amazed that we seem content as a nation to just stay ISS/Earthbound. However, I disagree that it's not a lot harder to get there. Have you looked at the Isp req'd? It's enormous. Power problems, Mars weather, human physiology, and a myriad of other concerns come to mind instantly.

Now I DO think that if we set a national goal - as we did with regards to landing on the Moon - to get to Mars, it would be a good thing in many respects. The technology boost alone would be worth the effort. However, as an independent conservative/quasi-Libertarian the 'who the hell is going to pay for this?' question immediately springs to mind. Anytime you go from unmanned to manned the QA costs for a launch go up by several orders of magnitude.

Blah blah blah. I digress....I'd like to see us go to Mars...I'd like to be the first man on mars....the first extra-terrestrial skydiver....first Martian BASE jumper....first person to drink beer on Mars.....first to brew beer on Mars.....etc.

beers to all,

Vinny the Anvil

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[Guest]

Jah, but it's an order of magnitude more difficult and expensive to accomplish than the moon.

For example, I was recently reminded that the Russians, for all their trying, have never had a successful mission to Mars, and the US has only been about 50% successful (Mariner 9, Viking, Sojourner being the most obvious successes). In some cases, there has been failure, and neither we nor the Russians have clue one as to what happened - we can only guess.

And these were unmanned probes. How much more difficult will it be if people go??? Now there's not just difficulty, there is mortal danger.

Yes, I think it can be done, and I want more than anything for my tax dollars to be spent on exploration. At least I can see what I'm getting for my money.

But Mars aside, I really would like to see a crash program developed to explore Europa right now. Given the evidence of liquid water there, the question of organic, biological life on other worlds can be addressed there.

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[TheAnvil 0]

Europa, eh? Good question.

We DO know what happened with one of the Martian probe failures - ye olde English to metric conversion problems.

Back to Europa, I don't think that's going to happen for a while,though I do think it would be worthwhile/interesting. Jovian dynamics are pretty damned interesting in many respects. Big assed B field. All sorts of moons. But the next deep space mission will probably be to the Kuiper belts WAY the hell out there. I think we're going back to Mars with another rover mission in '09 too. Have to check NASAs webpage - haven't been there for a while.

I might check into some Europan trajectories today if I get some spare geek time. You've piqued my interest.

Gotta scoot.

Vinny the Anvil

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[Guest]

Quote

We DO know what happened with one of the Martian probe failures - ye olde English to metric conversion problems.

DOH! I wasn't going to mention that one...

hehehe

"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat."

[grega 0]

Quote

Blah blah blah. I digress....I'd like to see us go to Mars...I'd like to be the first man on mars....the first extra-terrestrial skydiver....first Martian BASE jumper....first person to drink beer on Mars.....first to brew beer on Mars.....etc.

you forgot to add "First to have sex on mars"

"George just lucky i guess!"

[Sebazz1 2]

First to have to use the "Bush Of Shame" to remove that red martian dust from your jumpsuit or rig after plowin in on landing