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Hello,
Considering that most settlements here on Earth were founded near valuable natural resources, water being the most common, it's likely that a Mars colony would follow a similar pattern. I remember reading in Robinson's Red Mars that Mars possessed substantial deposits of many strategic metals, like gold and platinum. What mineral deposits have been discovered on Mars so far? Are domed surface colonies in the Planitias a viable option before terraforming?
Hello,
Interesting points all. Though I gathered that the American colonial revolt was instigated by wealthy landowners/businessmen that had radicalized American politics, in response to attempted colonial policy reforms by both Crown and Parliament that threatened their profit margins. As for the possible political future of the Mars colonies, I would feel that the colonists would have to be afforded at least some self-rule/representative form of local government to assure some measure of political stability. To do otherwise might court some disastrous seeds of planetary instability.
The mention of territorial status has some merit. Allow the colony of an Earth nation some political autonomy, but keep it within the national government's sphere. Much like Puerto Rico or Hong Kong.
Cordially,
EarthWolf
Hello,
If there are microbial lifeforms on Mars, what would it be like? What would it metabolize? What would be the waste product? Would it be a threat to Terran organisms, such as humans?
Cordially,
EarthWolf
Hello,
I was curious. What are the likely spots on which colonies would be located? I would assume that the northern lowlands would be the likelier region, though I'm not sure if some spots in the southern highlands, like the Hellas and Argyre basins could provide a good location. Also, does the northern hemisphere have a more favorable climate for a colony?
Cordially,
EarthWolf
Hello,
I envy you Cindy. I was born a considerable amount of time after Apollo. ( A certain peanut farmer lived at 1600 Pennsylvania at the time. ) The greatest moment in human exploration to date and I can only see it through documentaries and my parents' memories. I get choked up every time I hear President Kennedy's speech to Congress after Alan Shepard's flight in 1961.
Hopefully, new generations will have a similar moment with the first human on Mars or a return to the Moon.
Cordially,
EarthWolf
Hello,
I've been a life-long enthusiast of aviation and space flight. Most of my knowledge of the space programs of the superpowers is related to the U.S. manned missions of the 1960s. Now, I remember hearing that the Soviets had started their space station program in the late 1960s or the early 1970s. What I don't know is what was the intention of the Soviet space stations.
Where they primarily of a military function or were they mostly scientific research? Did the Soviet space program focus on these stations, once the Soviet manned lunar program had failed due to booster problems?
Cordially,
EarthWolf
Hello,
Here's what I hope is an interesting question. Should Martian colonies be ruled directly from Earth and not allowed any self-rule or should any Mars colony be governed with an eye toward eventual independence? Personally, I prefer the eventual independence of the Martian colonies.
Cordially,
EarthWolf
Hello,
I was wondering, what are the goals of the European space program? From what I gather, the ESA concentrates on unmanned exploration and would send astronauts aboard either the U.S. Space Shuttle or the Russian Soyuz, when a manned mission is required. I don't know much of the European space programs and I was curious.
Cordially,
EarthWolf
Hello,
I'm curious. I've heard of these centrifugal trains to keep people Earth-ready. But, how would you enter or leave these trains if these trains are constantly moving? Sorry, if this question seems inane.
Cordially,
EarthWolf