Mars Landing in 30ish Days

I'd hate to have to pay the deductible if it crashes which, statistically, is the most likely outcome.

 

Yeah, we are contacting you because your name was on it...

 

Someday...

 

So I'll ask the same question I always seem to ask whenever I hear about news involving NASA; Why?

 

Yes, "Too boldly go" is what I would have picked.

 

If the Martians come after you, just tell them you own a Backlund Marz 6, they'll stamp your 'Friends Of Mars' coupon book and you'll be good to go....

 

That reminds me, I think the truck is going to need new tires before next winter. Hmm.

 

they aren't making too much new territory here... we need some new places to settle and 'improve'!

 

If they discover trout, salmon, char, and grayling on Mars, my level of enthusiasm and interest will increase exponentially. Upland game would be a big bonus, too.

 

there were 3 missions heading to mars... I wonder who's winning the race?....

 

Why? Because if you keep all your eggs in one basket, eventually something falls on the basket.

 

Yes, but eggs have nutritional value. In other words, they have a practical use.

 

I'm a big science, astronomy, physics fan, but I'm of the same sentiment. (And no, I don't buy the "but look at all the development that came out of the Space Program". We could just spend money (far less) directly on projects/ideas that appear to have merit).

I always think of the line from Jimmy Buffett's song Fruitcakes "We spend 90 jillion dollars, tryin' to get a look at Mars; I hear Universal laughter, ringing out among the stars".

 

It's just always lacked a coherent strategy. I get that always striving to be "the first" is tailored toward funding concerns, but I've yet to see a cogent argument for how we will interact with space for our own benefit, or what we've gotten for the money we already spent.

I get the whole NASA fanboy thing, who wouldn't be impressed with the type of work they are supposed to do. But our relationship with NASA and space needs to mature. So, yeah I think "why" should be asked at every turn. But then again, I'm one of those heretics who think the Space Shuttle Program was not a glowing success.

 

The technology gained is worth it.

I think most of the "land on Mar's" is just to get investors. I can't imagine anyone (who knows) really thinks we can. Way too many hurdles for our capabilities in the foreseeable future.

I see the Moon and/or asteroids as our target to land. And that will mostly be robotic or remote whatever.

Still I'm all for it ... eventually we are gonna need it.