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#1 2013-12-16 21:54:23

JoshNH4H
Member
From: Pullman, WA
Registered: 2007-07-15
Posts: 2,564
Website

Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Hey guys, given the interest on the forums in asking Dr. Zubrin some questions, I reached out to him and he said that he would be willing to answer a couple.  Post your questions here!  I'll leave it open for a week or so for you guys to submit questions you'd like answered.  Depending on the volume of questions submitted, not all will be answered.

Well, have at it!


-Josh

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#2 2013-12-17 07:04:40

Terraformer
Member
From: The Fortunate Isles
Registered: 2007-08-27
Posts: 3,906
Website

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

How much do you estimate the development of Black Colt would cost, in today's money?


Use what is abundant and build to last

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#3 2013-12-17 15:11:27

louis
Member
From: UK
Registered: 2008-03-24
Posts: 7,208

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

A. How thick would Mars brick structures need to be in order to be pressurised to Earth-like pressures and would they need to be sealed in some way, e.g. with ice or regolith on the outside?

B. How soon do you think Mars colonists could produce reflective materials to enhance PV power on Mars?


Let's Go to Mars...Google on: Fast Track to Mars blogspot.com

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#4 2013-12-17 19:18:09

JoshNH4H
Member
From: Pullman, WA
Registered: 2007-07-15
Posts: 2,564
Website

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

What exports (both goods and services) do you think an early Martian colony could have once it's self-sufficient or mostly self-sufficient, and do you think that the potential markets for these resources make it feasible to talk about a short-term return on investment for the establishment of the first Martian colony?  Is it better to think of the first colony in terms of an operating profit?


-Josh

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#5 2013-12-21 10:25:49

GW Johnson
Member
From: McGregor, Texas USA
Registered: 2011-12-04
Posts: 5,796
Website

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

My question:  "I think that governments (plural) will fund one (and only one) manned mission to Mars,  if any at all.  Do you agree with that assessment of the politics-of-money?"

GW

Last edited by GW Johnson (2013-12-21 10:26:48)


GW Johnson
McGregor,  Texas

"There is nothing as expensive as a dead crew,  especially one dead from a bad management decision"

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#6 2013-12-21 11:51:35

Terraformer
Member
From: The Fortunate Isles
Registered: 2007-08-27
Posts: 3,906
Website

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

What factors led to the failure of Pioneer Rocketplane, and how could they be avoided?


Use what is abundant and build to last

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#7 2013-12-22 17:51:28

Tom Kalbfus
Banned
Registered: 2006-08-16
Posts: 4,401

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

What do you think of Ben Bova's Mars Inc: The Billionaires Club, if you've read it? In terms of its financial, political, and technical feasibility?

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#8 2017-05-05 14:06:00

Dave_Duca
Member
From: Oconto, WI usa
Registered: 2017-03-15
Posts: 92

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Doctor Zubrin:
"Would You Entertain a Red Dragon - Mars Direct - Sample Return Mission for 2018 ?

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#9 2017-05-05 16:36:01

jburk
Executive Director
From: Seattle, WA
Registered: 2011-11-17
Posts: 155
Website

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Did anybody on this thread get a response to their questions?  If not, I can send these to Dr. Zubrin.


James L. Burk
Executive Director, The Mars Society
jburk@marssociety.org
+1 (206) 601-7143

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#10 2017-05-06 08:56:42

Dave_Duca
Member
From: Oconto, WI usa
Registered: 2017-03-15
Posts: 92

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

No response on this end, kind sir.

I say we storm his house with Pizza & Mountain Dew and get down to some serious science !

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#11 2017-05-06 10:12:57

jburk
Executive Director
From: Seattle, WA
Registered: 2011-11-17
Posts: 155
Website

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Thanks, Dave. I was more asking the other people since this thread was open 4 years ago. smile


James L. Burk
Executive Director, The Mars Society
jburk@marssociety.org
+1 (206) 601-7143

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#12 2017-05-06 17:28:45

JoshNH4H
Member
From: Pullman, WA
Registered: 2007-07-15
Posts: 2,564
Website

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

I'm definitely interested.  I reached out to Dr. Zubrin and he initially gave a positive response but didn't get back to me when I sent him the questions.


-Josh

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#13 2017-05-06 18:30:46

louis
Member
From: UK
Registered: 2008-03-24
Posts: 7,208

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Feel free to ask him what he thinks of my Industrial Plan for Mars...


http://newmars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=7715


Let's Go to Mars...Google on: Fast Track to Mars blogspot.com

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#14 2017-05-07 22:54:30

jburk
Executive Director
From: Seattle, WA
Registered: 2011-11-17
Posts: 155
Website

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Hi Josh,

So just to confirm -- none of the questions in this thread have gotten answered?  If so, I will fix that.  Why don't we leave this thread open one more week for any new questions, and I can send a single note to Dr. Zubrin to get all of these answered.


James L. Burk
Executive Director, The Mars Society
jburk@marssociety.org
+1 (206) 601-7143

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#15 2017-05-12 08:12:46

Dave_Duca
Member
From: Oconto, WI usa
Registered: 2017-03-15
Posts: 92

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Truly wish all of this could be answered on a Red Planet Radio Program.
Bill Hargenrader would entertain a QUARTERLY UPDATE with Robert Zubrin, yeah?

Understood, Dr. Zubrin has a tentative agenda.
But, it would be nice to hear a current podcast - on a consistent & regular basis - from the source website.

Even, podcasts from the ANALOGS would be welcome.

Bill has been doing a wonderful effort keeping Red Planet Radio alive.

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#16 2017-05-12 18:36:03

louis
Member
From: UK
Registered: 2008-03-24
Posts: 7,208

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

I've got two questions:

1. Does he think that Mars compression bricks will work successfully as a building material on Mars, compared with fired bricks?

2. Does he think the first city on Mars should be named Zubrin City or Musk City?


Let's Go to Mars...Google on: Fast Track to Mars blogspot.com

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#17 2017-05-12 19:12:03

SpaceNut
Administrator
From: New Hampshire
Registered: 2004-07-22
Posts: 29,431

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Dave_Duca I like the ideas of a POD cast show as well as the radio communications from each analog station in conjuction with and while advocating Mars missions as well as the steps to make going forward.

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#18 2017-05-14 21:17:39

jburk
Executive Director
From: Seattle, WA
Registered: 2011-11-17
Posts: 155
Website

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

I emailed with Bill Hargenrader and he likes the idea of having Dr. Zubrin on regularly to answer these questions, but it will depend on Dr. Zubrin's schedule.  So keep the questions coming!


James L. Burk
Executive Director, The Mars Society
jburk@marssociety.org
+1 (206) 601-7143

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#19 2017-05-15 05:40:37

Dave_Duca
Member
From: Oconto, WI usa
Registered: 2017-03-15
Posts: 92

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Dr. Zubrin,

- Would you entertain the excess of "call for papers" for submission into the Mars Quarterly?

- Could members of the Steering Committee step into the lime light and give us press?

- Why is the "Humans to Mars" Summit so apartheid to over shadow The Mars Society?

- Could we push a promotional of having the Cast of Big Bang Theory, in simulation at MDRS?

- Would you allow Members and Non-Members to donate Devices & Equipment for our Analog Stations?

- Can we hold a new "Design Contest" for a working design of "Dragon Very Direct"?

Dave

Last edited by Dave_Duca (2017-05-15 06:13:39)

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#20 2017-05-15 06:23:55

Dave_Duca
Member
From: Oconto, WI usa
Registered: 2017-03-15
Posts: 92

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Dr. Zubrin

- Could the EVA Suits have Peltier Cells to provide telemetry power in Winter?

- Can DuPont or other Water Purifier Companies outreach to a sponsorship?

- Is TANG Breakfast Drink ever going to appear at the MDRS?

- Could an Aerial Drone ferry, Hanksville to MDRS, medical supplies, Aspirin, Scoobie Snacks?

- Can TMS create an Analog Merit Badge for the Boys' & Girls'Scouts? (There's one for Robotics (Curiosity).

- Could we perform a real test of the Pedal Ablation Shield, as seen in The Mars Underground?

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#21 2017-05-15 07:28:35

Dave_Duca
Member
From: Oconto, WI usa
Registered: 2017-03-15
Posts: 92

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Dr. Zubrin

- Can we have an Aerial Drone, similar to ARES Rocket Plane, do magnetometer recons at the Analogs?(eBee type)

- Will The Mars Society ever have a "Proving Grounds" at the Mojave Spaceport?

- Can we spearhead a real "Mars Hiking Map", using KMs as the Standard Martian Mile?

- Are there any 3D Printer Companies who can prove their Sand-Printing Techniques at the Analogs?

- Would you have the 2018 Int'l Mars Society Convention in CHICAGO?

- Is it possible to promote Mars Direct Design Programs with Universities?

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#22 2017-05-16 09:51:38

Dave_Duca
Member
From: Oconto, WI usa
Registered: 2017-03-15
Posts: 92

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Dr. Zubrin
- Can we have a permanent presence of Rover Rotations at the Analogs from the winners of the URCs?

- Could "Android Cardboard VR" be used for: EVAs, SAR, and other Mars Direct Environments?

- Will Human Tissue Samples ever be Tested Outside the Van Allen Belt?

- Can each Analog Team Publish their Mission as a Publication in English, please?

- MDRS Medical Personnel - can they design for us an EVA Suit Bio-Telemetry System?

- Can Mars-Sim be synchronized with Analog Missions?

Last edited by Dave_Duca (2017-05-16 16:55:01)

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#23 2017-05-17 12:26:02

Dave_Duca
Member
From: Oconto, WI usa
Registered: 2017-03-15
Posts: 92

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Dr. Zubrin

- Will TMS have a presence at Consumer Electronic Shows in Las Legas?

- Does The Mars Society have an active Educational Outreach?

- Is the Mission Calendar preferred MJD or the Darian type?

- Will Coordinated Mars Time (MTC) be used?

- Can you make Methane Fuel at the Analog Stations?

- Besides Cable Networks, will PBS ever do a story on The Mars Society?

Last edited by Dave_Duca (2017-05-27 16:01:44)

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#24 2017-05-17 13:16:12

Dave_Duca
Member
From: Oconto, WI usa
Registered: 2017-03-15
Posts: 92

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Dr. Zubrin

- Has the Von Neumann Constructor approach been considered for future Mars Autonomy?

- Have Vocanic Tubes been discovered in the Tharsis Region?

- Can we configure subsurface dwellings using the architecture of Paolo Solari(1919-2013)?

- Does the Tharsis Region have warm pockets closer to the surface?

- Can we ever have a "Space Truck" like the Hermes from "The Martian"?

- Do the Analog Teams "Weigh-Their-Payload" before arriving at the MDRS / FMARS?

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#25 2017-05-17 13:40:35

Dave_Duca
Member
From: Oconto, WI usa
Registered: 2017-03-15
Posts: 92

Re: Ask Robert Zubrin *Official Thread*

Dr. Zubrin

- Has the Staff entertained making a working mock up of the ERV?

- Do the Analogs maintain a "Ship's Log" while they're in commission?

- Could a scaled rocket-plane launch from Mojave Spaceport and arrive at the MDRS?

- Do the Analogs have Radiation Detectors monitoring Solar activity?

- Has Buzz Aldrin ever visited the MDRS?

- Can the ATVs be modified to run from Methane (LP Gas Conversions) ?

Last edited by Dave_Duca (2017-05-17 17:49:16)

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