Mars - One way...would you go?

[Shatnertage]

yes many people line up for NASA, but in the future the majority will most likely head for Corporations like SpaceX, who have a better track record with getting shit done.

So how many astronauts has SpaceX sent to the moon and returned safely to Earth?

And, since they're not playing with house money, I'd expect private corporations to be even more selective in who they employ, if that's possible (3,500 to 14 probably means no).

And I've got to say I'm a little confused by your sig. Why don't you just buy a house with a basement if you want a basement? I'm not a structural engineer but I've got to think a basement's a pretty difficult thing to retrofit. You'd be better off adding a second floor.

 

[KJbushway]

I don't want a two story house. It really should say a extended basement but its only a certain amount of space.

I am mostly talking about future wise. SpaceX has a plan, which is said to be in motion to bring someone to mars and moon bases, etc. Their track record really is moslty with money and the quality of their materials. Think if it was easier to apply to SpaceX then to NASA, yet NASA isn't doing anything, wouldn't you go with the company that is out there.

there is temporary structural supports you can put in place beneath the house where the original basement is. its all about speed, once you strip down the basement to just the house foundation, you can break down a wall and begin to extend in any direction. You have to make sure that your house is even and that the temporary supports are in place and can hold the weight of that section of house.

 

[Finn]

I don't want a two story house. It really should say a extended basement but its only a certain amount of space.


there is temporary structural supports you can put in place beneath the house where the original basement is. its all about speed, once you strip down the basement to just the house foundation, you can break down a wall and begin to extend in any direction. You have to make sure that your house is even and that the temporary supports are in place and can hold the weight of that section of house.

Are you talking about cutting a hole into an existing basement wall to create a "secret" lab like you see in the movies?

 

[Shatnertage]

Not to be difficult, but you might want to get some quotes about the basement thing. I've got to think that a job like that will involve excavation, hauling away dirt, the supports you mention, plus the regular framing and finish work you'd have to do. That seems like it would be a lot more expensive than just adding an addition.

Plus, I'm doubtful that building codes would even allow you to do something like that. Maybe it's possible, but there might be a reason why I've seen a lot of people who added on extra stories and additions to their houses, but not basements.

 

[KJbushway]

If I do it by myself and tell the local governement that I won't hold anybody else responsible, I will be able to do it. I love digging holes myself. And Yes, Finn. It will keep me busy during the months I am off.

 

[Finn]

If I do it by myself and tell the local governement that I won't hold anybody else responsible,
I will be able to do it. I love digging holes myself.

They will hold you responsible. Your local government probably would give you a lot of legal hurdles before you can do it. And you absolutely can't do it alone. If Bob Vila cannot do it, you can't. Unless you are Chuck Norris, you will not be able to keep the structure from falling apart, the concrete from cracking and the excessive soil from caving in.

And Yes, Finn. It will keep me busy during the months I am off.

Why is this directed toward me?

 

[KJbushway]

If I do it by myself and tell the local governement that I won't hold anybody else responsible,
I will be able to do it. I love digging holes myself.

They will hold you responsible. Your local government probably would give you a lot of legal hurdles before you can do it. And you absolutely can't do it alone. If Bob Vila cannot do it, you can't. Unless you are Chuck Norris, you will not be able to keep the structure from falling apart, the concrete from cracking and the excessive soil from caving in.

And Yes, Finn. It will keep me busy during the months I am off.

Why is this directed toward me?

I could also not tell anyone, its my house, my land.
I could do it alone, you would be surprised about what I could do with little expirence and determination. It would take me longer, but I could do it.

It was directed towards you after the question you asked me Finn. The post was a two parter, the last part was for you.

Are you talking about cutting a hole into an existing basement wall to create a "secret" lab like you see in the movies?

 

[Finn]

Okay kid, you will be the one who would get surprised. You can't do it alone. Not even the professionals can. And by law, you are required have a permit (or more) before any construction is done. There are good reasons for this. You would get in a whole great deal of trouble if you do extensive construction beyond simply finishing the basement.

There are the property laws, zoning laws and not to mention how it would impact the land and home values of your neighbors.

I'm hoping you are just joking and/or trolling us around.

 

[Shatnertage]

Yeah, until you tell me "I've been doing this for years, and it's not a problem," I'm inclined to think that I've got the correct read on the situation here.

To do what you want to do, you'd need at the very least an architect and a structural engineer to draw up plans that you'd submit to your zoning/construction approval board. There are pretty substantial penalties for getting caught doing unsanctioned work on houses, and some housing inspectors might trawl the city looking for tip-offs like construction dumpsters that something's going on.

Just a small example: when I bought my townhouse, there was a gas leak in the line running from the street to the house, in my courtyard. It was basically a matter of cutting through the concrete and digging up the line (which I did myself) then hiring a plumber to replace about 15 ft of pipe.

Before I could get the gas company to turn on the gas again, I had to go down to the county office, apply for a permit, then have an inspector come out and inspect the gas line. It added about 2 weeks and substantial costs to what wasn't a major job. So even though it's on your property, it's quite likely that you'll run into something similar.

 

[KJbushway]

^ sorry about the fustration and the dangerous gas leak. Good job finding that out and fixing it. It could have turned bad for you and any near neighbors.

 

[Squiggy]

Wow.

 

[Sean Aaron]

I think this conversation has gone amazingly well - congrats all for making TrekBBS a happier place!

 

[KJbushway]

what? I may be stubborn but I can be nice.

 

[JarodRussell]

What use would be a manned one-way mission?

 

[Sean Aaron]

What use would be a manned one-way mission?

To make sure there was running water and quality campgrounds for future missions of course!

 

[KJbushway]

yeah. Plus once we take that next step you could see a whole new interest in science and technology in kids. Hopefully this will make a whole new, nicer competition between space going countries to conquer other planets or moons and set up bases.

 

[Finn]

yeah. Plus once we take that next step you could see a whole new interest in science and technology in kids. Hopefully this will make a whole new, nicer competition between space going countries to conquer other planets or moons and set up bases.

Dude, quit while you are ahead

That sounds nice. But the way you said it is very cliched. Why would we go there? What kind of competition? What countries would be involved. Will the countries involved be allowed to draw borders? Sounds like trouble to me.

I'm a science teacher. It would be tough to engage the students when they would rather write "Justin Bieber" on their faces and use a celebrity's surname instead of their own on their schoolwork, or talking about girls. There needs to be something relevant to them. Just having someone going to Mars would not be enough for most of them beyond talking about it for a week.

 

[KJbushway]

sadly.

 

[Shatnertage]

I'm a science teacher. It would be tough to engage the students when they would rather write "Justin Bieber" on their faces and use a celebrity's surname instead of their own on their schoolwork, or talking about girls. There needs to be something relevant to them. Just having someone going to Mars would not be enough for most of them beyond talking about it for a week.

What if someone sent Justin Bieber to Mars? Could that do the trick?

 

[KJbushway]

probably, but unless there was teenage aliens on the planet that like a secretly gay teenager with the voice of a girl, then he would die quickly.