New Mars Forums

goto Seti at Home and download the applicable program. 
the graphical is kinda neat but takes between 5-10 times longer to process work-units.  All you do is download it and place it in a directory, then run it.  I run the Command Line on my laptop and desktop.  Laptop can get them in occasionally under 4 hours, desktop under 3 hours per work-unit.

Thanks Robert,  Do you have any good links for some of that info or any sources?

With the geologic history of Mars being farely slow, a very high resolution photo survey, or, albiet it me to say it, a manned geologic expidition will be able to prove it by stream sedimentation. even without a tide, there will still be wave, these waves will create sandstone sedimintation in such a pattern that is easily recoginable, looks like sand dune only and inch across.  I have seen examples in Wisconsin that are 1.9 billion years old.  The water question will answer itself upon signifcant investigation either byt .25" resolution camera(yes we have the technology) or by manned flight investigation.

Wouldn't take that much more to do it from the start!  some sort of tie and gravel would work.

This is a good idea, but it would require infrastructure in place to make it worthwhile.  A moot point until there is a need.  But Rail is the most efficient form of mass transit

Hmm, must be a coincidence..   

Well, I agree with this statement, in such that you keep in mind Todays technology.  But as we continue to develop technology, I expect a drop in price of Space Transportation.  In 100 to 150 years, even with current snail paced development, I see us in a position to be doing some sort of 'Exploitation' of the moon.  The reason I use Exploitation is to represent all non Science based space activity. 

Also,  with companies like Space Island Group and Lift Port Inc. I feel we are beginning to cross the thresh-hold of corprate viability of Space for other then Satellite use.  In other words, we may be a little closer to Space Hotels and such.  I do think these companies are a bit overly ambitious, but I hope that one of two things don't happen.  Which would be Iridium revisited, or some sort of massive scam.  With current attitudes and developements, I think there will be people in Space on a permanent basis by the end of the 21st Century.  By permanent, capable of being born, living and dieing their whole life in Space.

OLD NEWS ON CASSINI

Thats a link that talks about the problem with Huygens to Cassini relay communications.  Has problems compensating for Doppler Shifts in Tx and Rx frequencies.

Sight issues

I believe this one has worked out, but there was some lens fogging issues.

Other then that..  Looks good.  Look at Galileo, it had some issues, but still had a very succesful mission.  I think Cassini Will turn out the same way.   We are batting 5/5 though with our long range probes.  There just must be something about MARS!!!!

As most people are on this site, I find myself an extreme advocate of Space Exploitation.  Personally I find it to be an imperative that we increase our foothold into space beyond LEO and Geo-Synch Orbit.  To do this it will take an investment of money, time, and personnel.  Yet, something that this thread has pointed out, being the Devil?s Advocate, is that we should not pull money from one program to ensure that our program does move along at a faster rate.  So, it leads us into a paradox of sorts. 

As long as we have a minimal space budget, I do not believe there will be any major breakthroughs or extreme Apollo like missions in the near future.  We have to achieve a balance in the budget that would allow more progress; but, not compromise other unrelated programs that are important.  That can be accomplished carefully, with the write scrutiny in place.

Some steps that may help, that we are seeing at this time, are the increase of the privatization of Space.  More companies are taking the hefty investment required to do business that is only possible through the use of space, be it LEO or utilization of the Clarke belt.  This does not necessarily help Space travel though.  This is a mere derivative of Space travel.  The one factor this may help with is bringing about less expensive access to Space.  Unfortunately, I don?t see it being in the heavy-lift category which is the current void that needs to be filled.

Another factor that may lead to some cost reductions and further breakthroughs are programs like the X-prize.  If the X-prize is won, and further more challenging competitions arise, it may help fuel smaller companies involvement in Space Access.  While more expensive then time of Charles Lindberg and Amelia Arehart; this could fuel future research, and help to capture the imaginations of another generation.

We can never look away from the Military.  The military has always had a keen interest in Space, as well it should.  It is not impossible that there will be some increase in military projects that deal with Space.  The United States Air Force has committed itself to transition from an Air Force with Space capability to a Space Force with Air Capability.  While I do not desire for the military to be the ground breaker in new territory, I will take what we can get. 

Basically, my point is that instead of instantly saying we have to pull billions out of the budget from programs that may aid poor or underprivileged individuals, there may be other ways.  I am happy with an increase in human activity in space.  I support Zubrin?s view of Space Exploration, but in the same sense, we should not ?rob Peter to pay Paul.

With a population of around 400 million, I find this hard to believe.  Specifically since the death rate in South America is 6.75 per 1000.  Your quoted starvation rate is 9.125 per 1000.  This is quoting a study done by Iowa State University.

I find it hard to believe there is a higher rate of Starvation then Death.

I have a slightly different perspective on this, but will make a point.  I think there would people who would love to goto Mars for an extended period of time. (saying extended opposed to permanent) Lets say 4 years.  This would be tremendous for research in a number of areas.  But you would need more then 8 people.  You would need two qualified Doctors, two qualified maintenance technicians, etc.  Of course people can be rdundant, but you need two in case one dies!.  As far as food goes, I think by the time we would do something like this or are going to Mars period, that will be resolved.  Hell.  We can grow food under light, so send a Big RTG or a small reactor with them, all the light they need.  I think this is an interesting idea.  But there is some detail work that needs to be dealt with. Other then that.  I think it could work.

Just a thought.  We will alter the Martian Atmosphere no matter what we do.  There will be more heat put into the system, and no way about getting aroun emissions.  While not as direct as Terraforming per say.  If we goto Mars we will alter the Climate even if it is a very minor scale.  By the time we get to Mars, on a larger scale other then a few astronauts, with a few flags, look at some rocks for a few months then go home.  When we make a permanent Colony on Mars, we will be much more capable of Adjusting the Climate to something more hospitible.  (Note: The first time a European was on North America in known History was ~1000 CE, the second was ~ 1492 CE) Hopefully it won't take so long for the moon, but look at the difference in Technology.  I think we have already experienced the same amount of Technological shift in spacecraft since Apollo, at least with Capability, but I am going off topic.  I think that this issue will be moot.  By the time it will become and Issue, it will be easier to do then we think!

I have been all ove the place recently.

I have read

Entering Space, by Zubrin
Paramedics by Canning
some books on Buddhism
and Eiger Sanction (adapted into a Clint Eastwood Movie)

I will probably re-read a Pale Blue Dot soon, and when Return of the King is out in the Theatres I will re-read those books.