First question is sort of for the newmars home page as to whether there is still a societies direct drive to make use of the Space X Falcon Heavy to create a base in four launches or is that gone?
Discussed in Dr. Robert Zubrin Moon Direct: How to build a moonbase in four years
If its still on the plate how far is the society towards that funding goal?
Whom would be the crew to go or how one might be selected?
With all the work that has gone on we are looking for those steps to get behind the Mars Society in order to achive the goals of going to the moon and to Mars.
]]>Thanks for bringing this initiative back into view ...
It appears that Dr. Zubrin's schedule did not allow for time to engage with Dave_Duca or any of his predecessors.
(th)
]]>In principle, variable renewable energy + storage could account for 100% of power demand, as long as the amount of storage you have is based on good numbers for the variability of supply and demand throughout the year.
The bigger issues are cost and scale. Solar and wind prices have been dropping steadily, and battery prices have too. Including the costs of storage, it's probably not there now but that doesn't mean it won't get there. It might be there now if you were to account for the costs imposed by the use of fossil fuels.
Speaking long-term, the thing I'm most concerned about as far as renewables are concerned is a lithium shortage, because it's a pretty rare element and it's very conceivable we can run out. This would drive up prices. In that case, we could either mine it in space (fine with me!) or wherever possible use batteries based on a different element. I have suggested Sodium in the past, because its chemistry is similar to lithium (power and energy density would be way worse but this doesn't necessarily matter for stationary power) but its frequency is much higher.
Of course, if I were dictator I would start a crash program to improve and deploy nuclear power. But we live in a democracy, which all things considered is a good thing. People dislike nuclear power for reasons that I can understand, even if I don't agree with them. Given that, renewables+storage seems like a decent compromise option.
]]>I will be interviewing Dr. Zubrin at the convention to create some video footage that we can later use for promotional videos and other purposes.
So I have to come up with a bunch of questions to ask him. So I was reminded of this thread . Please continue to add to it and I will be sure and get your questions answered (on video!)
]]>We always need more CAPCOMs so if anybody is interested (the next field season starts in Dec), then contact Shannon Rupert (srupert@marssociety.org)
]]>In your words, can you tell us what that program is, please?
]]>The Digi' has the full AR capabilities.
Truly amazing, our present day "google apps" run the full gamut of IP/Bluetooth.
The EVA Suits could even be fitted with a wrist communicator and Telemetry HMI...
Surprised the MDRS/FMARS "Medical Teams" haven't used that technique 14 years ago.
]]>I had also claimed that the Mars Direct architecture is excellent, but the Achilles heel was the ERV. The hab has plenty of room and used rotation for artificial gravity in transit to Mars, but return was just a capsule in zero-G. They responded with a contest to redesign the ERV.
Members of the previous forum in 1999 convinced me MCP spacesuit is the best for Mars. One member sent me a photocopy of the original article by Paul Webb published in 1967. Amazing! So I've argued a Mars helmet would be head-worn like Mercury or Gemini. That's based on Dr. Webb's MCP prototype. It also solves a safety issue at analog sites, wearing a helmet while driving an ATV. I've argued that same safety issue will exist on Mars. So an MCP suit would have a helmet similar to a motorcycle closed-face helmet. So why don't we use an actual closed-face motorcycle helmet with our analogue suits? Seal the breathing vents to hoses connected to the PLSS, which uses a battery to drive a fan. So the battery provides real PLSS time limit, just like current analog suits.
In 2001 the Canadian Mars Society worked on a data logger for analog suits. I suggested a Compaq iPaq flashed with QNX, because at the time I worked for an employer that developed software for QNX, and that operating system was used for the space station arm vision system. A pocket sewn into one suit forearm with an opening for the display. And a serial cable to a microcontroller in the PLSS to control the fan and monitor battery voltage. Today you would use a smart phone. Blackberry bought QNX, all modern Blackberry devices run it. You could argue for an Android device, just for accessibility to install a custom app.
But is your DigiLens system compatible with a smart phone?
]]>Would you entertain a program to revive all retired and abandoned Radio Telescopes and,
have them Re-Purposed for Telecommunications for Mars?
Would not hesitate to engage into a session, if I wasn't stuck at this location.
I can not just pop onto a plane and go.... David is indigent.... literally.
Had been asked about a teaching profession, though I don't fancy tenure.
Going to Mars is easier.
David is not barred from the freedoms to build devices and influence.
It's age discrimination thwarting a good job that prevents my freedom to roam about.
Funny though... I prefer driving cross-country and enjoying the landscape.
To actually be there at the convention and speaking my call for paper.
Is like; unleashing Patch Adams to cure the Black Plague ( well, it sounded cool ).
I'd be lucky just to get a call from Dr. Zubrin.
Truly.... thank you Robert.
A number of years ago Dr. Zubrin spoke at a class at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. The local chapter in North Dakota invited members from North Dakota and Manitoba to attend. I went with one other member, introduced him to Dr. Zubrin. My friend was really excited. And Dr. Zubrin recognized me, bugged me to attend conventions. I hadn't show up in a while. He really wants people to attend conventions, and is willing to talk to you. You should go.
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