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#1 Re: Planetary transportation » Trains on Mars - Could a rail system provide martian need » 2003-09-08 23:25:27

the martian dust is corrosive, though, so it might not be advisable. Martian fines are...annoying, to say the elast

#2 Re: Interplanetary transportation » Chem. Rockets - Using Ozone with oxygen as an oxidizer. » 2003-09-08 23:23:14

When leaving mars, one could use an aluminum/Co2 Engine, but Ozone is impractical and dangerous

#4 Re: Human missions » Proton Mars - The 2 Billion Dollar Manned Mars Mission » 2003-09-08 23:18:20

Did anyone note that the fuel for the Proton is toxic, and would endanger those in the area?

#5 Re: Human missions » Zero Point Energy - Have any of you heard of this? » 2003-09-08 23:14:56

Ah...the source of energy so often referred to by Science Fiction Authors. Quantum Physics...hmm...some of it sounds like what causes the x-ray emission from some black holes.

I have read about Zero Point Energy before, and it does seem interesting...it and negative energy have been proposed as power sources and propulsion methods (respectively).

I am continuing my study into Quantum Physics, and this is something i am interested in.

#6 Re: Science, Technology, and Astronomy » Extrasolar Planetary Systems - Could we detect the small planets? » 2003-09-08 23:04:54

Of course, that brings up the whole nuclear power in space debate, but sending off probes would be a sound idea.

As for the Centauri System, I believe the dance of the 3 stars does make it more unstable than would be suitable for planetary formation, but perhaps not. Some even say that the sun might have a distant, dark companion....

#7 Re: Mars Society International » Zubrin's Vile Ideology - Should He Still Be MS Leader? » 2003-09-08 23:01:09

Greens vs. Reds...sigh.

Personally, I'm in favor of establishing an orbital base around Mars, for facilitation of Mars Surface Missions, and Asteroid Mining, so that we may be able to test samples with elaborate equipment.

Consider this...those first explorers to reach the New World had no idea what was truly before them. They had no idea about dangers or diseases...for all they knew, there were sea dragons ready to tear their ships apart.

Also...can archaebacteria (not Eubacteria) infect the human body? Those would be similar to what evolved on Mars, if there is life at all, and archaebacteria on Earth are not virulent towards humans.

Caution is good, but to hold back true long from the goal of space keeps humanity from achieving its true destiny, keeps us from bridging the gap between these two worlds.

#8 Re: Other space advocacy organizations » Space Industrialization - Should a massive attempt at mining occur » 2003-09-08 22:52:09

Thorium is also available from the Moon...as for mining...it will be both necessary and profitable to do mining to a limited extent on Mars, as well as setting up an orbital base for exploitation of the asteroid belt

#9 Re: Mars Society International » Zubrin's Vile Ideology - Should He Still Be MS Leader? » 2003-09-05 22:29:02

You might consider that the reason that the United States was able to grow so powerful, and is so much more tolerant than some other countries, so much more liberal, is because of the "frontier factor."

As for illnesses, something that evolved on Mars from a separate strain of bacterium or virus over a period of 4.5 billion years will probably not be compatible with the human organism.

#11 Re: Interplanetary transportation » The Light Speed Barrier - Is there really a universal speed limit? » 2003-09-05 22:04:49

well...its not as if we didn't know scientists fudge their data to supprot their conclusions...

#12 Re: Martian Politics and Economy » All of you have it wrong » 2003-08-23 23:06:53

I agree with Ranger, in that the problem is not the form of government that is chosen, but human nature in itself. Most people are apathetic, and do not worry about anything unnecessarily, being content to live out their own little lives, and as long as one does not take away their rights, they are happy.

People in general would not give a flying hoot, really, if their government changed, as long as their way of life stayed the same.

#13 Re: Interplanetary transportation » Rep. Lampson seeks to revive X-38 - Could an X-38 land on Mars? » 2003-08-23 21:08:08

Of course, there will still be the deterent of potential "collateral damage"

#15 Re: Planetary transportation » Lifter Technology » 2003-08-21 21:43:10

the launch of Cosmos 1 should indeed be interesting...

#16 Re: Interplanetary transportation » Electric powered engines. » 2003-08-21 21:41:51

Indeed, the concerns about Orion being used as a weapon of war are more than valid.

#17 Re: Life support systems » Robot Colony - Robots prepping for a human mission. » 2003-08-16 01:48:59

Well, the problem with simply putting down humans in suits is more extensive than it seems, because of all the support infrastructure that they would need. So perhaps robotics would be easier...in a decade or so we'll have made very great strides, and I believe there is technology now that could be implemented

#18 Re: Interplanetary transportation » Electric powered engines. » 2003-08-16 01:45:12

And I've worked under quite a few for the International Space Settlement Design Competition...

#19 Re: Youth Group / Educational Outreach » Teenage View on Iraq - Issue?  Don't care? » 2003-08-16 01:23:13

Some of us actually have educated viewpoints, which we have discussed in length with our peers and experts of great authority (senators, doctors of economics and political science, priests).

On that point I agree, that some of us can have educated viewpoints, and that we have discussed such views at length with peers and experts. However, for the most part, just take a look at teenage culture in general. There is more and more apathy each and every day, and despite the efforts of a dedicated few, many more fall to the wayside.

And yes, I do believe people will listen, I'm simply urging you not to take such a one-sided view of the issue. Every issue is more complex than can truly be comprehended by someone trying to preach one side...Believe it or not, some people will listen, and take the time to make a difference every day...I'm one of those people, and through involvement in local, national, and international affairs, I've learned that nothing is as simple as it seems.

I am the Executive Director of the International League of Students, and organization that seeks to bring peace and understanding to the youth of this world, to dispel the prejudices that face them today through action. I've grown this organization into 3500 people worldwide from humble beginnings of...me.

For most of my life, I have been actively promoting my socio/political views and trying to understand those of others, and I can proudly say that I have begun to make a difference, that I let my voice be heard.

From my experience, a stance like yours is simply too simplistic and one-sided.

Perhaps the one you should be disgusted at is yourself for simply compaining and not trying to improve things or let your voice be heard...

I try, every day...

#20 Re: Life on Mars » On the Anthropic principle » 2003-08-15 19:12:08

but what is truly reality?

Have you ever had a dream so real that you couldn't tell it from when you were awake?

*sorry, couldn't resist

#21 Re: Life support systems » Food! - Marsians=vegetarians? » 2003-08-15 19:04:02

I"m sure that one could use a population of tilapia, rabbits, and chickens in addition to a massive supply of grain and vegatable crops

As for the waste and such, I'm sure we could harness that for power, or use the technology of Super Critical Water Oxidizers to break down the stuff into nitrates, carbon dioxide, and water

#23 Re: Interplanetary transportation » Electric powered engines. » 2003-08-15 18:58:58

it has to do with the splitting of masses to convert angular momentum to forward thrust...and this was demonstrated to companies like boeing, so i wouldn't be a critic right away

#24 Re: Planetary transportation » Lifter Technology » 2003-08-15 18:55:27

yes, yes, I already knew about the ion wind phenomena...and if i'm not mistaken, the article also mentions it possibly being useful for

Martian gliders

#25 Re: Life support systems » Robot Colony - Robots prepping for a human mission. » 2003-08-15 18:52:10

Of course the problem on Mars would be communications, unless you had a crew orbiting mars, or using Quantum Entanglement communications to control the bots

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