Mars Fanboy facts!

[Mike]

Indian Mission finds water on the moon. This is apparently formed by solar winds at the poles and increases the chances of human occupation in the next couple of decades. It would be very good to see this progress further - especially as a Doctor has recently claimed that we will be all but immortal in the next few decades due to the advancements in modern science.

[Mike]

The Register have an article about the success of a critical test on an Argon powered plasma drive that (if successfully tested in space) could be used to

A) power the international space station orbit using solar power and;
B) reach Mars in 39 days! This second use would have to use a submarine style nuclear reactor to ensure a robust power supply though. This is a vast improvement on the current 105 to 180 day estimate using a conventional chemical rocket.

Hopefully the new tests will be conducted quickly because a more fuel efficient and faster method of reaching Mars will bring the hope of commercial exploitation of plants to the fore. This is needed for people to 'want' to explore space more fully (and colonise another planet!).

[mr_e]

There might be some opposition to nuclear-powered craft from environmentalists (and being concerned about it blowing up in low earth orbit), but it's certainly interesting. Don't know how comfortable anyone on a manned mission would be with that thing behind them given the temperatures involved. "Hot as the sun? What could possibly go wrong old chap?".

[Mike]

If you read some of the things that people did to go to the Moon they usually say they had only a 50/50 chance of returning! I think we should get back the spirit of adventure. It is increadibly risky but for the experience of being the first man on Mars? Who would'nt go for it?

[BarcelonAl]

Hopefully the new tests will be conducted quickly because a more fuel efficient and faster method of reaching Mars will bring the hope of commercial exploitation of plants to the fore.

There was me thinking you were environmentally friendly...you just want to rip up the planets' plants and exploit them. Sicko!

[Mike]

Cnet have an amazing photograph of a dust storm on Mars. Anyone else think it looks like someone's bum?!

[stimpsonslostson]

For GOODNESS sake Mike! Get your mind out of the gutter!!

Erm, yes. My initial thought was "Thats a weird tattoo to have on your lower back... what does a photo of the top of someones bum crack have to do with Mars?"

[Mike]

For GOODNESS sake Mike! Get your mind out of the gutter!!

I refuse. My mind likes being in the gutter.

[mr_e]

They could totally sell that as an art print and just say it was digitally painted. No-one would know the difference.

[Mike]

Some beautiful images of the surface of Mars. They show evidence that the surface once held large lakes (maybe!).

[Mike]

NASA told to aim for specifics in their aim to get to Mars. Good advice politically especially since they claim not to have the required tech for another decade. However, it think that if you set out to do something you are more likely to achieve it than saying 'I don't think I can do it yet'.

[mr_e]

Given the space budget cuts Obama is proposing, there's a debate as to whether they'll have the funds regardless of how clear their plan is. Potential job losses = unhappy Senators.

[Mike]

Either that or clear objective = money spent effectively not wastefully. I hope it will be this option - I bet if China said they were going to Mars it would sharpen their pencils.

Yes that could be used as a euphemism.

[mr_e]

Wouldn't surprise me if China did that, after maybe a trial run to the moon. They're aiming to be best/biggest at everything, what better way to make that statement than by blasting people off to Mars?

[Mike]

Manned mission to Mars to cost $7bn. Quality - where do I sign up?! I want to design their habitat. M