Would you go to Mars?

[ckissick]

Obama said he expects to see a man on Mars in his lifetime. Let's not get political here.

I'm merely asking, if you had the opportunity to go to Mars, would you? It would be very risky, and you would be stuck in a small capsule for months (years?), etc. You can imagine what it would be like. But you'd also stand on another planet, and earth would be just another "star" in the night sky. How cool would that be? I'd give it some serious thought.

[m21sniper]

I cannot think of one thing on mar's i'd like to see except for possibly the sunset. I'll wait for the pictures.

[vash]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

I cannot think of one thing on mar's i'd like to see except for possibly the sunset. I'll wait for the pictures.

holy crap..i gotta agree! ^^^

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I wouldnt mind seeing Olympus Mons in person.

[scottmandue]

If you did... you most likely wouldn't make it back.

Just sayin

[TechnoViking]

I'm not done checking Earth out yet.

[RPKESQ]

In a heartbeat!

[gassy]

Can't make it--Friday is trash day.

[tabs]

I commute from Mars everyday..so what is the BIG DEAL!

[Jagshund]

Yes. I'll keep further comments to myself lest this thread be moved to OTPR.

[Schumi]

I've met two astronauts. Had one as a college professor.

I'd go on any space flight, no matter the destination or the risks involved, in a heartbeat.

I'm one of those people that also think we should be sending people to the moon, mars, etc much more frequently for much less money. People thought 'oooh the shuttle is unsafe' after Challenger and then later after Columbia.... but the shuttles have had hundreds of successful missions- the astronauts know the risks and I think the american people should too. That's why the Russians made it to space first- they didn't rif people died. It happens. No need to sugar coat it.

[scottmandue]

Seriously, you guys saying yes realize this is a suicide mission? NASA admits that whoever goes won't make it back.

On the other hand I realize there are some people willing to make that sacrifice.

On the other other hand, it will be a very difficult mission to sell to the public once that information gets out.

[RWebb]

I know it snows on Mars but does it get deep enough to ski??

[ckissick]

Why won't they come back? Radiation?

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by RWebb

I know it snows on Mars but does it get deep enough to ski??

Skiing in such a low gravity environment would probably be extremely dangerous, even if the atmosphere was breathable (ie, one little tear in your suit from falling, and it's lights out.)

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by ckissick

Why won't they come back? Radiation?

Yep, among other things. Even if they can get past the radiation look at the people who come back after extended stays in space. Our bodies are not designed to for zero gravity.


Tabs, so you are that ba$turd that cut me off when I was trying to merge at the Saturn on ramp!

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Seriously, you guys saying yes realize this is a suicide mission? NASA admits that whoever goes won't make it back.
.

I'd have my name on a list already if I thought they were serious.

There are some humans that are meant to lead the entire race into the next frontier. They often are on suicide missions, and they always know it. Sometimes they come back, and when they do, all of Humanity becomes greater from it.

Then there are some that are afraid of the frontiers. Someone needs to stay home and keep the shipyards clean while others are discovering the New World

[scottmandue]

I love science and I love space exploration.

But from a practical stand point I just don't see human beings living in space IMHO the space program should turn away form science fiction fantasies and focus on more productive space exploration.

Say we get humans to Mars... yep... there it is! They may discover a few things we didn't know but I don't see it having a significant impact on the human race other than to say gee wizz we did it.

[Pazuzu]

Some of us love space more, and want to hug and embrace and kiss it in real life.



With that, I'm off to eat a giant sloppy cheesesteak

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Some of us love space more, and want to hug and embrace and kiss it in real life.



With that, I'm off to eat a giant sloppy cheesesteak

In real life space is a hard vacuum and hundreds of degrees below zero.


Mmmmmm cheesesteak... oh yeah... no cheesesteak in outer space either!


But I will keep the shipyard clean for ya!