Should NASA Go to Mars? (1 Viewer)

[Optimus Prime]

On the 40th anniversary of the moon landing a quick question?

Do you think we should try to attempt a manned mission to Mars? And if so do you think it will happen in our lifetime, next 20-40 years?

It would be massively expensive but I think it would be exciting as well. The sci-fi fan in my would love it.

I remember reading an article years ago about all the technology that came from the space program in general and the moon missions in particular. it was really mind boggling. i think that mars missions would provide similar new tech

thoughts?

 

[Unostang]

Bush wanted to build a space station on the moon, then go to Mars from there. I think that we should go for it. Total Recall is not that far off. 3 boobs!!!

 

[obwhiteo]

I will probably be in the far minority here, but i think it's pointless... what did we really accomplish by "going to the moon"... or having hollywood fake that we did...whatever you believe... but seriously, we go to mars, get out look around and come home.... wow what a way to spend 100 billion dollars....

 

[Saintman2884]

We could go to Mars but what would one of the astronauts bring back with them?

Species II reference/

Yeah, I think some of you may have seen that movie, as mediocre as it was, or the part where the male astronaut comes back a hero and women flock all over him. Then something very unexpected happens along the way if you've seen the parts I'm referring too perhaps.

If you're a woman, some very explicit scenes from that movie might not be appropriate for some of you. It disgusted even me when I saw parts of the movie for the first time.

 

[superchuck500]

I will probably be in the far minority here, but i think it's pointless... wow what a way to spend 100 billion dollars....

I agree. (Except for the estimate of cost - actual cost would be much higher IMO).

I'm a big supporter of our space programs - I think Hubble has been a wonderful investment for science and for the future of mankind. We've learned more from Hubble than the history of space study combined. I'm also for unmanned missions to planets and elsewhere to gather data.

But we've got far too many concerns to be spending that kind of cash on a mission that doesn't really pay off with discovery. I don't see what a man could do that a lander can't do - and there are other ways to invest in propulsion and logistics programs that may allow for the same discovery without the same investment that a manned mission to Mars would require.

 

[Brad01]

If there is a benefit to going to Mars... then yes. However, I don't see that benefit. Waste of money.

 

[CitySaint]

The Panthers have already occupied mars and declared themselves world champs.

http://saintsreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112901&highlight=mars

Where do you think Jake got his favorite orange suit?

 

[BHM]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Was Columbus sailing west worth the cost? Looking back, the answer is yes. Was the cost of Americans heading west worth the cost? Looking back, yes.

Eventually, we will need to leave our planet and find a way to sustain life out there somewhere. I suggest we go now, figure things out and when the times comes, we are ready.

 

[Treybad]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Was Columbus sailing west worth the cost? Looking back, the answer is yes. Was the cost of Americans heading west worth the cost? Looking back, yes.

Eventually, we will need to leave our planet and find a way to sustain life out there somewhere. I suggest we go now, figure things out and when the times comes, we are ready.

well put, I was kinda on the fence, but that argument convinced me...... if anything find out that we can put prison's on mars.... and get rid of the death penalty, now instead of the injection you get a one way ticket too mars.....

 

[Taurus]

I will probably be in the far minority here, but i think it's pointless... what did we really accomplish by "going to the moon"... or having hollywood fake that we did...whatever you believe... but seriously, we go to mars, get out look around and come home.... wow what a way to spend 100 billion dollars....

If it is lighter, faster, stronger or more powerful now than it was in 1960, you can trace that improvement back to the space program.

We accomplished a lot.

And, one way or another, we absolutely must get off this rock. Heinlein Base on the moon and a manned mission to Mars (I might suggest Valentine Base there) will be the first steps.

Asteroid mining, wild physics experiments with limitless solar power (or nuclear), perfectly round ballbearings, a host of advancements we haven't even dreamed of yet await.

And they belong to whoever gets there first.

 

[BHM]

Oh, we can put a prison on mars. We can send prisoners to that prison. Parole time might become a problem though. Hand them a $20 as they walk out the door and tell them good luck.

 

[superchuck500]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Was Columbus sailing west worth the cost? Looking back, the answer is yes. Was the cost of Americans heading west worth the cost? Looking back, yes.

Eventually, we will need to leave our planet and find a way to sustain life out there somewhere. I suggest we go now, figure things out and when the times comes, we are ready.

Seems to me that you're presuming that we cannot attain information about Mars without actually putting a man on the planet. I don't think Columbus is a good analogy - 15th Century Europeans had no way of discovering what was out there, sailing west. We, however, have landed several Mars lander missions that have gathered quite a bit of data, taken images and video, and brought back samples. I'm just wondering what it is that a manned mission is going to "figure out" that we can't otherwise do. If there's something, then perhaps it's worth it. I just don't see it at this point.

(I'm not questioning your conclusion - it's a matter of choice. I'm only questioning the premises stated).

 

[BHM]

Bush wanted us to go to Mars? Must be oil there. Haliburton will get the pipeline build contract to get the oil back to Earth.

 

[daybreaker]

If there is a benefit to going to Mars... then yes.

Three breasted women.

Mars wins.

 

[Det. Brees]

there is only so much our unmanned flights can do.