Mars Mission

[Stratosfied]

Just sitting here with time on my hands and wondering, why are we spending so much to go to Mars? I know that in the zero gravity of space that some medicines and such can be made but I can think of absolutely no use of us going to Mars. What do you all think.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Mars Mission

So we can find out if the little green people wear boxers or briefs

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Mars Mission

Exploration is why they are sending things to other planets. Its human nature to explore and do things no body else has done.<br /><br />It doesn't matter to me if they do these things or not. Lots of our technology comes directly from the space program. To me it is one of those programs that does employ lots of personnel. All those millions that are spent is going into the economy in some form.<br /><br />If they do find water there, who's going to be the first to fish Mars?

 

[aspeck]

Re: Mars Mission

If there is water there, it is another place to go boating!

 

[KennyKenCan]

Re: Mars Mission

The reasons for going to Mars, is actually quite simple...<br /><br />Because it's there!<br /><br />Ever since the beginning of time, mankind has been explorer's, and since the surface of the Earth has already been explored (although we still have not completly explored the oceans depths), we, as a race of beings have an insatiable appitite to find new things and places, so that takes us to places like Mars and the Moon, and eventually, the rest of our Universe.<br /><br />It's that simple.<br /><br />And it's like the comment made by astronaut Jim Lovell where he stated in his book "Lost Moon"...<br /><br />"When will we be going back to the moon, and who might that be."<br /><br />Plus, NASA needs a place to test SBN's "Hepa Suit".<br /><br />Just my opinion.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Mars Mission

do you know that if we wanted to land on the moon ,, nasa couldn't do it.. cause they have nothing to do it with at hand.. <br /><br />it would take three years to gear up to it.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Mars Mission

In the end, nations are remembered for the great achievements of discovery and exploration.<br /><br />My question is, what the heck will happen if we discover evidence of past life? The # of UFO sitings will go throught the roof!

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Mars Mission

not that I don't think exploration of Mars is way<br />cool, I just think there are so many better things<br />that could be done with a few BILLION dollars in<br />this country right now. it's about priorities IMO.<br />kinda like me booking a vacation for 2 months in<br />Hawaii, and not having any money to pay the mtg.<br />sure, I'd love to go, but responsiblities dictate<br />otherwise.<br />how many senoirs could get cheaper prescriptions?<br />how many kids could get free breakfast/lunch/health ins.?<br />just doesn't make sound fiscal sense to me.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Mars Mission

There are lots of places the money for space<br />exploration could be better spent, with more<br />immediate results, helping people, paying down<br />the debt.<br />On the other hand, it is an investment in our <br />future. Like planting seeds, that will one day<br />be harvested and give back 10 fold.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Mars Mission

it's like booking a war in IRAQ.. an not havin' the money to pay for it.. but it gets done,,somehow.. if ya don't spend it here,, it gets spent there..but garrenteed,, it don't get much spent on things that common folk would like it spent on..

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Mars Mission

you both make good points... guess in a perfect<br />world eh?

 

[SCO]

Re: Mars Mission

I think of it like saving money. If you dont save money, you dont have any after 20 yrs, and the lifestyle you lead is probably indistinguishable from what it would have been had you saved the money instead of buying the 4 soft drinks a day for all those years. I'd hate to waste these opportunities to advance mankind. With respect to power and prestiege, we wouldn't be the USA of today without the efforts of Kennedy and the nation getting us to the moon.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Mars Mission

It's just a continuation of the cold war.. Absolutely necessary if you ask me, especially with current events being as they are.. Helps re-enforce the superiority of the free world...

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Mars Mission

Did you notice when China said recently they<br />were planning on a Moon mission. <br />The Bush administration announced plans to <br />return to the Moon as well, and invade.

 

[rwise]

Re: Mars Mission

What about all the people who have jobs because of the space program? Some of the parts were made here in Tulsa, and maybe in your area too. So it's a lot of cash, and people are going hungry. It did help someone, could the money be spent better, maybe. But it was not spent today!......................

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Mars Mission

could be worse I guess... could be the UK and yur<br />beagle ran away and is lost! LOL

 

[round2it]

Re: Mars Mission

Look at the technology it takes to put a man in space, much less onto a moon or planet. How far advanced to we look at a country when being viewed by India, China, French and other countries. Why do you think China is trying so hard to put men into space and onto the moon. For them, I think it's military advantages and showing the world that they too are an advanced country. And imo, it gives the US an advantage on the potential warfront if it ever escalates to that level. And I certainly hope that it doesn't. <br /><br />What country could have launched a spacecraft to Mars 2 years ago, hit dead center at their target, the "X", bullseye if you will, and have the telimetry being transmitted almost instantaneously? That in itself is an awesome acheivement. How much of that targeting data and ability can be put on the battlefield? I may be totally off base, but I think that sooner or later, it comes down to battlefield or war making capabilities.

 

[SCO]

Re: Mars Mission

The arms race was certainly the reason for the race to the moon. Sputnik scared the heck out of our brass. Now that our buddy Bill gave China missle technology, they are on the move, as is Japan and private concerns here, in Europe and probably everywhere.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Mars Mission

saw an hour long special on PBS last nite on this mars shot.. really neat..to say-the-least..!!<br /><br />seems like there biggest setback was the parachute.. it kept failin'.. seems like of all things they'd have parachute techno down by now..<br /><br />it was all packed an ready to go,,the rover,, when in a routine test found a circut board failed.. the only way to open it to fix was to fire off these explosive bolts,, called 'pyros'...<br /><br />so they did,, pulled the bad board an replaced an sealed back again with new pyros..good-to-go..<br /><br />some 'brainiac' thought/said that in firing the onetime/one shot pyros could of harmed these special resisters..which would cause failure for the next set of pyros.. an the only way to check was to open it up again an check... but that would mean firing off the new pryros again .. in which case would surely hurt more stuff..<br /><br />what to do..!! with less than 2 weeks to takeoff..<br /><br />the entire crew scattered to search high & low,, garbage & dump ..to find old resistors from old test..to check them.. if good,, surely the ones in question would be good.. if bad,, THEY'RE SCREWED..<br /><br />they found many an all tested good.. <br /><br />mission was a go.... <br /><br />GOTTA LUV IT..

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Mars Mission

All those billions of parts to make up the space program come from somewhere. These plants are scattered across the USA and other countries. These plants do employ tens of thousands. The tax base alone from the income of paychecks probably does help the needs of their community.<br /><br />Oh the neat gadgets and gizmos in your car? the technology came from the space program. That technology is even in cooking equipment at your local fast food resturant. <br /><br />I'm not going to argue, but most people are biased and will not think past their own thoughts without thinking everything out. Life is what you make of it, plain a simple. <br /><br />Who will know about an earth destroying astroid first? The media, or NASA? Knowing what is coming is better than not knowing you can't do anything about it once it hits.