NationStates Jolt Archive

Mars has been a popular topic in the past year with the landing of the rovers Spirit and Opportunity and their amazing discoveries. So, I would like to know how many people think that we should stop spending time and money on robots and finally send humans to the red planet, and why if you don't. Also, while we're on the topic, what about the moon? Do you believe that it's time for a lunar base?

No! Closer to the sun! We have air conditioning! *drool* no more winter!!

I don't know. Are there any decent clubs there?

Mars has been a popular topic in the past year with the landing of the rovers Spirit and Opportunity and their amazing discoveries. So, I would like to know how many people think that we should stop spending time and money on robots and finally send humans to the red planet, and why if you don't. Also, while we're on the topic, what about the moon? Do you believe that it's time for a lunar base?

Given the cost to build and mantain a lunar base, I wouldn't really spend the cash on it myself. Though I wouldn't object if others wanted to.

Speaking of bases, without a base of some kind their trip to the red planet can't last long. They need enough oxygen, food, and water to get there, cover them while they explore, and then get them home. It seems to me the amount of exploration they could get versus the cost would largely be disproportionate. You could send an unmanned vehicle for less fuel and no supplies, and it can stay for as long as it works.

Mars has been a popular topic in the past year with the landing of the rovers Spirit and Opportunity and their amazing discoveries. So, I would like to know how many people think that we should stop spending time and money on robots and finally send humans to the red planet, and why if you don't. Also, while we're on the topic, what about the moon? Do you believe that it's time for a lunar base?

I know its the cliche but.

Space Travel is the one thing that has suceeded in uniting humanity in a common purpose, away from the US Hegemony and enforcement of thier imperialism - things like that do not matter in space. You aren't a Black, White or Brown anymore - your simply a human. Bush's attempts to hijack Space Funding because he loves his military so much is sickening. Bush hates peace and loves War (except when it is brought to his front doorstep).

Yes, we need to start making REAL decisions to get humans on Mars. However, we need tobe smart about this. We can't just send a spacecraft there, a landing craft, spend a couple days there and come back up for a 6 month trip back. Mars is not like the moon. Mars has an atmosphere, a weak one. Mars has harsh temperatures, if I'm not mistaken. Plus, Mars has some terrible duststorms, no?

We should go to Mars and the Moon.

Robots are good, but humans don't malfunction. At least as long as they have oxygen and food. If we can create a permanant domed habitat on Mars, Humans can stay forever and work much faster than remote controlled robots that travel 1 mph and malfunction and eventually stop working permantly after a year or less because their solar collectors are dusty. (Can't they put some windshield wipers on those things?)

For the moon, it has helium3 which can be used for fusion power production. First we must produce an efficient fusion reactor though.

"We sent GAL-LEE-LAY-OHH to JU-PEE-TAHR." We should send Therezuh to MARS.

We should go to Mars and the Moon.

Robots are good, but humans don't malfunction. At least as long as they have oxygen and food. If we can create a permanant domed habitat on Mars, Humans can stay forever and work much faster than remote controlled robots that travel 1 mph and malfunction and eventually stop working permantly after a year or less because their solar collectors are dusty. (Can't they put some windshield wipers on those things?)

For the moon, it has helium3 which can be used for fusion power production. First we must produce an efficient fusion reactor though.


robots malfunction, humans die. mars missions have less than a 50% success rate. considering how much more complex it is to send a manned flight that has to survive over 2 years without any outside help, i'd say right now its a suicide mission. if you send them expect they will die.

yeah, why not. We spend trillions of dollars on pointless wars, why not spend billions on scientific expolration. At least no one gets hurt on purpose.

yeah, why not. We spend trillions of dollars on pointless wars, why not spend billions on scientific expolration. At least no one gets hurt on purpose.
we need to commit to those billions or possibly trillions though. its easy for governments to rationalize war spending it more difficult to get people to commit to that kind of cash for pure exploration. the first space race was part of the cold war, it was a competition, a war of acheivement, between the us and the ussr. without the fear the enemy will do it first i doubt the will exists for the really serious space program required for manned planetary exploration.

We could turn it into a penal colony..

My crime 'gainst the old British Navy
Was stealing some bread one fine day.
'Twas death or life's transportation
So they tossed a coin and sent me away...

definite colonies.
On the moon. Would be useful as a base in space as it were. also they say we'd be able to harvest water on the moon which would be useful for further exploration.
Mars? definitely, and honestly does not seem that difficult. Send the machinery, all they have to do is build a warren of tunnels (protect from meteorites, storms, etc). close 'em off. Just need access to water, maybe have the base near the pole perhaps? Give them enough rations for 6 months and hidroponic tech.

Just get each nation to give 20% of its military budget for this and there be more than enough money!!

I think the world should focus on saving this planet before we start colonizing others.

I don't understand all of these people that say that we should just keep sending robots. These robots cost millions of dollars a piece. Why should we keep wasting money on robots that we end up leaving there when we can take that money and use it towards a more permanent and reliable solution? Humans are much more effecient than robots. "Humans don't malfunction" as it was so wittily put by jokobee. Humans are more versatile. As for the human risk, that's part of it. Humans risk their lives every day. What if the kings and queens from the age of exploration had forbidden exploring the world because of the human risk? Yes it will cost alot of money, and yes it will be difficult, but it can be done. After all, that's the fun part isn't it? Doing what others have deemed impossible?

As for a lunar base, There would be many benefits from it. The scientific knowledge we would gain would, in itself, make it worth building a base. It would even be possible, after it is established, that it would be almost completely self-sufficient. That should be a plus for those of you who do nothing but think about the cost. The same goes for a future Mars base.

We need to get to Mars. We should have gone like yesterday.