May 22, 2013
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Congress Debates How to go to Mars
The first think I thought when I saw a news article mentioning that Congress is debating how to go to Mars was, “Could we get anyone less qualified to offer a valid opinion on such an important issue?”
It looks like the Democrats want to lasso a small asteroid, pull it into lunar orbit, and explore it. Somehow they think this will be a useful stopping point on the way towards a manned mission to Mars. The other option being discussed is to estblish a moon colony. Under the Bush administration a moon colony had been planned, but one of the first things Obeyme did when he came to power was to cancel it. Apparently we didn’t have the money for superfluis things like science and progress, but we did have the money to support various terrorist organizations around the world and overthrow secular governments in North Africa.
Now, while I do find the idea of the moon having it’s own moon compelling, it’s not really going to help with a Mars mission, whereas establishing a moon colony will offer an opportunity to construct and test a sealed and self contained environment in hostile conditions. The technology can later be applied to establishing a permanent base on Mars. In addition, the moon can be used as a jumping off point. A low g environment means that a larger ship can be constructed. IF they are serious about traveling longer distances through space they need to start constructing the ships in space, or at the very least in low g environments. That way they can build larger ships, which will not necessarily land, but which will be able to carry more supplies, people, and equipment (landers included).
It’s worth noting that Spain colonized th Canaries before they moved off to the New World. When you are in the business of colonization it helps to conduct a test run at closer locations before moving off to more distant turf.
Comments (2)
It boggles the mind.
@ImNotUglyIJustNeedLove - maybe they come up with their plans while smoking something?