Bush mulls major new space effort

[Kuciwalker]

There's no incentive to build weapons in space, period. There's no enemy to justify the weapons system. The only reason to build weapons in space is an addiction to weapons. If there was a cult that liked to cover everything in sombreros, they would probably justify putting a giant sombrero on the moon by claiming that it would yeild spin-off technologies and that it was 'inevitable'.

There is no enemy NOW. However, no matter what, once any two nations have colonies in space there WILL be an enemy.

[Ned]

There are couple problems I see with the March Direct program. I can hardly imagine trying to land nearly 40 tn. of hydrogen on Mars. It would seem to me that we could land the nuclear reactor near one of the poles and convert the water there into hydrogen in order to make rocket fuel.

Also, I can hardly imagine landing vehicle on Mars that could take off again with 107 tons of rocket fuel.

Still the piecemeal approach has a lot of pluses. We could send rovers, nuclear reactors, habitats, supplies and return fuel to Mars separately; and when they were all in place satisfactorily we could send a manned mission.

[Verto]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/1...oon/index.html


Excerpts:

Aides to U.S. President George W. Bush say he is on the verge of calling for a return to the moon as part of a dramatic new mission for NASA.

Sources tell CNN the target for returning to the moon is about 15 years from now. But a lunar date is not yet embraced by a White House still debating key policy and multibillion dollar budget questions.

Among the administration's review of the space program:

• Setting a target for retiring the shuttle fleet

• A plan to phase out the International Space Station

• Picking a new space vehicle for manned flights

• Debating the costs and benefits of a permanent moon base

• Developing a proposal for a mission to Mars.

[mrmitchell]

Originally posted by DaShi


That's why we send monkeys.

Bush is going in space!???

[:) Smiley]

Considering his past track record of carrier landings, this just might be the next presidential thrill ride. Could Bush really be a geek?

[mrmitchell]

Remember, folks. In 1960, people thought landing a bunch of guys on the moon was impossible as well.

Now, if only we could have that kind of determination again.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Ned
There are couple problems I see with the March Direct program. I can hardly imagine trying to land nearly 40 tn. of hydrogen on Mars. It would seem to me that we could land the nuclear reactor near one of the poles and convert the water there into hydrogen in order to make rocket fuel.

Also, I can hardly imagine landing vehicle on Mars that could take off again with 107 tons of rocket fuel.

Still the piecemeal approach has a lot of pluses. We could send rovers, nuclear reactors, habitats, supplies and return fuel to Mars separately; and when they were all in place satisfactorily we could send a manned mission.

So Ned, self-proclaimed champion of Ann Coulter and the Right (tm) (btw, how do you make something superscript?), is also an expert in aerospace engineering, which leads you to "doubt" the conclusions of actual aerospace engineers.

[Eli]

Sources tell CNN the target for returning to the moon is about 15 years from now.

We did it in less than 10 years in the 60s! Ugh!

We dont live forever, go go go! Moon base by 2007, Mars by 2015, Alpha Centauri by 2025 and Andromeda by 2040.

[Kuciwalker]

We dont live forever, go go go! Moon base by 2007, Mars by 2015, Alpha Centauri by 2025 and Andromeda by 2040.

That last one, do you mean launching the expedition or it reaching there? Because I think 2040 is a bit optimistic for FTL travel

[Jaguar]

Can you say "Pathetic Attempt to Raise Approval Rating?"

[Kuciwalker]

Yes

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by skywalker


So Ned, self-proclaimed champion of Ann Coulter and the Right (tm) (btw, how do you make something superscript?), is also an expert in aerospace engineering, which leads you to "doubt" the conclusions of actual aerospace engineers.

Why not? He apparently has the psychic ability to review a film and condemn it without actually having to see it.

[Ned]

Skywalker, you are throwing in with the Dark Side? Check our Boris's avatar.

[Ned]

Also, Skywalker, I used to be an aerospace engineer, not that this makes me an expert on anything I did not work on, which is classified.

[Kirnwaffen]

The problem I see with the Mars Direct plan is the amazing level of optimism regarding the logistics. One kink in the supply chain, and you could strand several unfortunate astronauts, and, considering our track record todate with mars landings, that possibility has to be considered.