The mission to Mars

[Bradskii]

So things would be better if men were good.

I thought that was obvious. Whereas this isn't: 'You shouldn't explore because some people did some bad things a long time ago when they explored'.

Incidently: John Herrington - Wikipedia

'Herrington became the first enrolled citizen of a Native American tribe to fly in space'

 

[durangodawood]

Stay tuned; we're deep in S2 now and that very topic is at the forefront.

Excellent. Im mean Im not dreamy about American social justice history. But Soviet totalitarianism was genuinely beyond the pale.

 

[Chesterton]

I thought that was obvious. Whereas this isn't: 'You shouldn't explore because some people did some bad things a long time ago when they explored'.

That's not what the G. K. quote is about. It's about men doing pointless things for the sake of doing them.

Incidently: John Herrington - Wikipedia

'Herrington became the first enrolled citizen of a Native American tribe to fly in space'

I don't care about race.

 

[Hans Blaster]

I agree Musk is better at predictions than putting dates on them.

Oh, he puts dates on things all of the time. Unrealistic dates, but definitely dates.

This might be a feature of corporate planners with their event orientated lives. They just hate it when you say it will be done when you've solved the problems.

Musk is a "corporate planner"? (I've been trying to figure out what his core competency is. This is as good a guess as any.)

But betting against starship might be a little foolish given Musks track record.

So far these "star ships" aren't even orbital. I'll keep my bet.

Curiosity is a good motive for being in space but it is not Musks motivation. He wants to establish mankind as a multiplanetary species.

A lovely fantasy from Mr. Musk. But what is the purpose of it?

Robots have already been on Mars for decades but unless people go there the place quite simply has no interest for most. It is the life and love that people bring to a place that fill it with stories and turn it from a pile of red rocks into a place where everyone wants to visit.

If there is no economic or military motive to establish a permanent outpost why spend hundreds of billions to do so?

Musks basic strategy is focus on the transportation system. It is for others to find ways to makes Mars City work.

A very poor business plan for a "for profit" rocket company. Building a massive transportation infrastructure to a place where there is no economic model for anyone traveling to. If that's his real plan, he's even more of an idiot than I already thought.

 

[durangodawood]

....If there is no economic or military motive to establish a permanent outpost why spend hundreds of billions to do so?....

According to Musk its a hedge for human consciousness in case things go really wrong on earth.

 

[Hans Blaster]

The Apollo Missions were like a package holiday to the most exotic location thus far. But when they got there they drove their car, toasted their families back home, sent a few postcards, brought back some rocks as souvenirs and enjoyed a game of golf.

Why not just tell Buzz Aldrin to his face that he didn't go to the Moon. You'd receive the proper response.

Mars is an altogether longer trip and a bigger investment. The sacrifice is more comparable to early settlers in the first North American colonies. Survival rather than joy rides before the cameras is the more pressing issue. Many know that is a one way trip or at least saturated with uncertainty.

If you think "survival" was not an issue in Project Apollo and it was some sort of joy ride you are grossly misformed.

 

[Hans Blaster]

According to Musk its a hedge for human consciousness in case things go really wrong on earth.

Checks outside world... I think it already did. Just look at the guys hanging out with the President.

 

[durangodawood]

Checks outside world... I think it already did. Just look at the guys hanging out with the President.

Yeah they seem hell bent on making Mars look attractive by comparison.

 

[Bradskii]

That's not what the G. K. quote is about. It's about men doing pointless things for the sake of doing them.

I guess some people don't feel the need to explore. Maybe they haven't got that all-too-human urge to see what's over the hill. To see what lies beyond the horizon.

I mean, it's driven some of the greatest stories told of heroes who 'Boldly go...' From ancient Greece to modern sci fi. From the crew of of the Argo to that of the Enterprise. I guess some will want to stay at home. And others will explore. And yes, sometimes for no other reason than to see what's out there.

 

[Chesterton]

I guess some people don't feel the need to explore. Maybe they haven't got that all-too-human urge to see what's over the hill. To see what lies beyond the horizon.

I mean, it's driven some of the greatest stories told of heroes who 'Boldly go...' From ancient Greece to modern sci fi. From the crew of of the Argo to that of the Enterprise. I guess some will want to stay at home. And others will explore. And yes, sometimes for no other reason than to see what's out there.

The quote is also not just about traveling.

 

[Bradskii]

Yeah they seem hell bent on making Mars look attractive by comparison.

Except that someone wants to plant a flag on it. And I don't think in a we-were-here-first kind of ceremonial record. If the Gulf of Mexico can be renamed at the drop of a hat then how long before Olympus Mons becomes Trumpus Mons.

 

[Bradskii]

The quote is also not just about traveling.

But that's how I'm using it because that's what we were talking about. The reasons why we explore.

 

[Joseph G]

I can imagine Charles I of Spain saying that he's not going to fund any more trips to the Americas. 'That last voyage cost me a fortune. And all they brought back was some inedible local food. Millions of pesetas for a bag of potatos. Forget it...'

More power to Charles. At least America has, ya know, oxygen.

 

[durangodawood]

Except that someone wants to plant a flag on it. And I don't think in a we-were-here-first kind of ceremonial record. If the Gulf of Mexico can be renamed at the drop of a hat then how long before Olympus Mons becomes Trumpus Mons.

Elon is not in this for Trump. Thats for sure. It will be Musks visage carved into the mountain.

 

[Bradskii]

Elon is not in this for Trump. Thats for sure. It will be Musks visage carved into the mountain.

Musk wants some government help. Financial possibly. Red tape cut perhaps. Government contracts guaranteed. He whispers in Trumps ear: 'Space force...'

He'll get what he wants and they'll name their heavy booster after him and maybe change the name of the mountain in his honour. You heard it here first.