Should we spend the $$$ to go to Mars?

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

as mentioned before, that kind of money is a drop in the bucket of what the US spends on national defense. and if you consider how much money that would be for a worldwide space agency (what should happen if we want to get serious about space exploration) it's chump change

if you look at it as simply ensuring the survival of the human race, then space exploration and colonization is critical. we need people living in self-sustaining colonies away from Earth before we blow the planet up ourselves or a big space rock does it for us

The only reason I brought up the budget was because you said we needed manned space flight to provide other technology, like satellites. I suggusted we could use those same resources in other ways to discover as much or more technology.

If you want to use an Armageddon theory as a justification, that's fine, I just think it's a bit of a silly thing to worry about. (IMO)

I also said each program should be compared to the best thing that isn't getting done, and that would certainly include defense spending.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

The only reason I brought up the budget was because you said we needed manned space flight to provide other technology, like satellites. I suggusted we could use those same resources in other ways to discover as much or more technology.

If you want to use an Armageddon theory as a justification, that's fine, I just think it's a bit of a silly thing to worry about. (IMO)

I also said each program should be compared to the best thing that isn't getting done, and that would certainly include defense spending.

Stephen Hawking doesn't think it's silly

http://bigthink.com/ideas/21570

aside from the cool factor, i just think space exploration is a vitally important role for humanity's future. we're the first species on Earth that can take steps to avert our own extinction, that's not something you want to have regrets about later on for not spending the money

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Barnes

We sent men to the Moon in the 60's in rockets with less computational power than a Speak and Spell.

The Space Shuttle runs on less than 1mb of memory.

We should be halfway across the galaxy by now.

Because normal circuitry gets ripped apart in space, something about particles hitting it.

[mykalberta]

Is there anywhere that lists the tangible benefits that we have gained from Space Flight vs what it has cost so far? From what I can figure, the only thing we have gained is subsidized testing for Military aerodynamics research.

I think eventually we should go to Mars but I dont think now is the time.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Is there anywhere that lists the tangible benefits that we have gained from Space Flight vs what it has cost so far? From what I can figure, the only thing we have gained is subsidized testing for Military aerodynamics research.

I think eventually we should go to Mars but I dont think now is the time.

Well its not like we can suddenly wake up one morning and ask "Hey, you think we should go to Mars this weekend?"

Gotta plan and prepare.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Is there anywhere that lists the tangible benefits that we have gained from Space Flight vs what it has cost so far? From what I can figure, the only thing we have gained is subsidized testing for Military aerodynamics research.

I think eventually we should go to Mars but I dont think now is the time.

you answered your own question

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

We should work on getting to the Moon for the first time before we work on getting to Mars.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

When was the last time you researched solar panels? If you are interested, I can send you all kinds of info. $20,000 on a new home to never have a power bill again doesn't sound like a 'novelty' to me.

$20k to power a home, try $60 +. And ongoing maintenace. Solar, Wind, you name it, $20K doesn't get you anywhere near going off grid.

[Yasa]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

We should work on getting to the Moon for the first time before we work on getting to Mars.

I'm not taking your bait!

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Rathji

"Hey, you think we should go to Mars this weekend?"

Roadtrip! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0215129/

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

We should work on getting to the Moon for the first time before we work on getting to Mars.

Funny, I expected this but from CP's resident conspiracy expert "mikey_the_redneck"!

Anyway, say we do go to Mars and find proof of ancient life forms...what implications what it have to religion? would it be a nail in the coffin or just something else for the churches to backpedal on?

[Yasa]

Originally Posted by T@T

Funny, I expected this but from CP's resident conspiracy expert "mikey_the_redneck"!

Anyway, say we do go to Mars and find proof of ancient life forms...what implications what it have to religion? would it be a nail in the coffin or just something else for the churches to backpedal on?

Same thing that happens when we discover fossils here. Some will be fascinated with it, others will deny it.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by T@T

Funny, I expected this but from CP's resident conspiracy expert "mikey_the_redneck"!

Anyway, say we do go to Mars and find proof of ancient life forms...what implications what it have to religion? would it be a nail in the coffin or just something else for the churches to backpedal on?

The Catholic Church's position is that the belief in aliens is fine and they would be welcomed into the church.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Barnes

The Catholic Church's position is that the belief in aliens is fine and they would be welcomed into the church.

Backpedal should be in the Catholic Church's sermon, these idiots now say evolution is "probable" but somehow still find a way to quote adam & eve.

Catholic's must be the dumbest on earth!

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Yasa

Same thing that happens when we discover fossils here. Some will be fascinated with it, others will deny it.

People actually deny fossils? What? do they believe it's hollywood in action?

[SeeBass]

Originally Posted by T@T

Funny, I expected this but from CP's resident conspiracy expert "mikey_the_redneck"!

Anyway, say we do go to Mars and find proof of ancient life forms...what implications what it have to religion? would it be a nail in the coffin or just something else for the churches to backpedal on?

I would assume it would probably fall under "God created everything" so why not more than one planet of life?

As an atheist even I would think if you believe in creation it would be an another easy leap of faith.

[Lee of Red]

We're not going to find anything these rover robots haven't found already. We can send those things over for much less no? No potential catastrophic human cost, no return journey. There is no need for us to physically go at the moment.

[SeeBass]

Why goes to Mars?

Cause it is what's next.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Lee of Red

We're not going to find anything these rover robots haven't found already. We can send those things over for much less no? No potential catastrophic human cost, no return journey. There is no need for us to physically go at the moment.

Actually they are quite limited in what they can do, they are only (pardon the pun) scratching the surface of the planet.

But we are not ready to go, I give it 20-30 yrs and we should have a feasible, safe and cost effective way to do it.

[FlamesAddiction]

If the money can be raised outside of the main taxbase, then fine.

If Canadian tax money were used, then we should get a piece of Martian real estate as a nation. Personally, I think it is a waste though.