funding for manned Mission to Mars [financial/political ONLY]

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous' started by jefferiestubes8, Jun 26, 2009.

  1. jefferiestubes8

    jefferiestubes8 Commodore Commodore

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    Here it is.
    THE thread to discuss the funding and the politics behind funding of a manned mission to Mars. Hell, to the moon too...
    (Try to keep in mind it would be in 2020-2035 and not 2010.)


    If you care to discuss the Science and Technology of a manned mission to Mars head over to this thread.
     
  2. Mistral

    Mistral Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Best argument to present to Congress for funding-we live on one planet with dwindling resources. As we keep finding evidence that Mars was once very similar to Earth, the possibility of finding a vast trove of resources there makes any investment a win-win situation. Why use up what we have here when what we need is out there. It's a whole planet's worth!
     
  3. Alidar Jarok

    Alidar Jarok Everything in moderation but moderation Moderator

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    The cost of harvesting that planet's natural resources would be enormous.
     
  4. Mistral

    Mistral Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Its a planet. The return would still be bigger.
     
  5. jefferiestubes8

    jefferiestubes8 Commodore Commodore

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  6. Rocketman

    Rocketman Guest

    I think the proponents of such a mission, like all adherants of irrational belief systems, should form the Church of Manned Spaceflight, and demand tithes from their members to fund this grandiose religious endeavour.

    Getting recognition as a religion would also make it easier to explain the irregular human sacrifice (like the sacrificial lambs and virgins of yore, only near-flawless, bright, capable specimen can become astronauts) their god demands.
     
  7. SilentP

    SilentP Commodore Commodore

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  8. Colin Xavier

    Colin Xavier Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    Double Eh?

    I would think that religion would like to keep us on Earth
     
  9. RJDiogenes

    RJDiogenes Idealistic Cynic and Canon Champion Premium Member

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    Triple "Eh?" And a bonus "Eh?" for the ironic Username. :D
     
  10. Aragorn

    Aragorn Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Just use illegal aliens. :)
     
  11. jefferiestubes8

    jefferiestubes8 Commodore Commodore

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    private sector funding?


    SOURCE


    Why not have a rocket with painted sponsor logos & crew uniforms with patches with logos painted on it ala NASCAR?
     
  12. jefferiestubes8

    jefferiestubes8 Commodore Commodore

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    APRIL 15, 2010
    http://io9.com/5518187/obamas-plans-for-nasa-mars-by-2030-6-billion-budget-increase-today
     
  13. jefferiestubes8

    jefferiestubes8 Commodore Commodore

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    The Future of U.S. Human Space Flight Sen. committee hearing

    On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation is scheduled to hold a hearing on the future of the human spaceflight program.

    live webcast here now:
    http://commerce.senate.gov/public/i...Group_id=b06c39af-e033-4cba-9221-de668ca1978a

    Majority Statement

    * Chairman John D.(Jay) Rockefeller IV
    U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
     
  14. jefferiestubes8

    jefferiestubes8 Commodore Commodore

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    Why it would cost 4 trillion dollars to take humans past Jupiter

    An interesting article on io9 today titled:


    via Ars Technica Dreaming big: planning a human mission to outer solar system

    You can read McNutt et. al.'s paper here [“Human Missions Throughout the Outer Solar System: Requirements and Implementations” ] (it's a PDF), and find out more about the voyage our descendants might someday take to the outer system.

    via io9
    Why it would cost 4 trillion dollars to take humans past Jupiter
     
  15. Vendikarr

    Vendikarr Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    On Mars, they'd all be illegal aliens.
     
  16. RJDiogenes

    RJDiogenes Idealistic Cynic and Canon Champion Premium Member

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    ^^ Nah, it's a lawless frontier. :cool:

    These plans sound great, but 2050? I'll be 90 freakin' years old. Faster, people, faster!
     
  17. Mallory

    Mallory Moderator In Memoriam

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    *wanders off in search of back bacon and Molson beer*
     
  18. jefferiestubes8

    jefferiestubes8 Commodore Commodore

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    "To Boldly Go: A One-Way Human Mission to Mars"
    http://journalofcosmology.com/Mars108.html

    This is part of a new idea:
    First Steps in the Human Colonization of Mars
    October 21, 2010 -By Jamie Lendino
    NASA, DARPA Planning One-Way Human Trip to Mars
    http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2371219,00.asp
     
  19. Gaith

    Gaith Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Going to the Moon was all well and good, but I'm afraid that, Star Trek fantasies aside, I don't see much point in a manned mission to Mars until things calm down a bit more here on Earth.
     
  20. BolianAuthor

    BolianAuthor Writer, Battlestar Urantia Rear Admiral

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    ^

    Aye... until we can educate our kids, balance our budget, and get things under control here, not only do I see us not going to the Moon and Mars... I really don't want us to. Before you leave on any vacation, you make sure your house is secure.

    In terms of political reality, we won't be going to either place anytime soon, unless China beats us to it, and some future President decides to pull a JFK.