Manned mission to Mars?

What do you think of this idea?

The cost is going to be absolutely exhorbitant. Do the benefits justify such a cost? Wouldn't it be much more cost-effective to put the money into super-smart, next-generation computers and planet-exploring robots? Based on what we know about the Martian surface already, is a live human really going to find out much more?

Developing new generations of robots will pay off for future deep-space missions as well. Nobody is proposing manned missions to Neptune, after all. Mars is most likely the limit as far as sending human astronauts. So spend the money on robots that you can use for future missions, as well as to Mars.

 

not in our lifetime.

 

I don't see any justification for sending humans to Mars, or even back to the moon, for that matter. It's been done. The robots always give you more for your money.

 

The Science channel made a mini series titled "Mission to Mars", about a realistic mission to the martian planet. One of the things I found interesting was that the crew was specifically made equal parts male and female because the trip is expected to take 9 months there and 9 months back, and apparently humans need sex to stay healthy. The show was actually pretty good, based off plans of the actual Mission to Mars which is said to launch in 2030.

As for the benefit to send humans to Mars at this stage, none other than making mankind's dick feel bigger I guess. Oh well at least we can add another leap to our strut.

 

That's a very simplistic approach.
Too bad human relationships aren't that easily planned out.

 

The manned expedition to the sun seems like a useless endeavor.

 

Actually it has nothing to do with relationships at least on the ship, according to the real life scientist in the show - who would pause the action and speak after every 5-10 minutes to explain the science on any given episode - most of the crew are expected to be married well before the launch. I like this quote "There are going to be 16 men and women on a ship for 18 months, sex is gonna happen. The crew will just have to work it out with their partners on Earth, because a lack of sex could affect their performance."

 

Ok--OK--I'll bite my OWN damn self.-----"Why scratcho-they can't go to the sun-they'd burn up".-----------Not to worry,they're going at night.Sorry.

 

Anyway,it's seems to me that urgent matters on earth should be taken care of first.

 

...according to a group of science geeks who probably haven't had sex in the last 18 months. They just want to watch the video feed. They are get off on the idea of turning it into the high-tech version of the Big Brother show.

Have they ever heard of masturbation? Scratch that question. They are the experts. Practice makes perfect.

 

I think they already been there,, been covering it up for a long time.. All this 3 years its suppose to take to get there.. When they can get them there in 9months.. not a long time for a astronaut .. Figure send fuel, food up to meet you at docking points along the ways, Really wouldnt be that long. I think the Shuttle itself could do it.. If they had station to stop and chill, What about when Mars is closest to the Earth? prepare your flight as its catching up to the earth. I dont know how all those planets work and all. It just seems the sling shot gravity speed method would be what the shuttle was made for, not for some just for re-entry..

I think the current talk of it, softens the blow of it being done.. Suppose they tell you what every rocket going into space is for? They dont.. How do we know what kind of payload any rocket or shuttle has. They could be building who knows what up there you would never know..

 

The Shuttle doesn't have the power to leave Earth orbit, and can only stay in space for about two weeks at a time.

Obviously.

 

I totally agree, caliente. I think the fixation on manned flight is a dick thing. (and that's why G. W. Bush thought it was such a great idea). If we can afford Mars, then we can afford to pay teachers what they deserve (don't get me going!)

 

really ,, If you really wanna be technical try being really more relevant to what your really trying to say.. really..

no really the shuttle cant leave the earth, really? , Wtf are you trying to say, really...
?


heres a picture ... Now Obviously I know how it works dont I?

no doubt any topic around here turn into a bunch dick talk..




..

 

So you posted a graphic of a solar transfer orbit. So what? This is how unmanned probes get to Mars. Nothing new here.

Establishing any kind of a solar orbit requires reaching Escape Velocity (~17,000 mph) to leave earth orbit. The Shuttle wasn't designed to do that. It can only reach an orbit of approximately 200 miles altitude. It would also have to have enough fuel to achieve Mars' escape velocity to return to earth via a similar elliptical transfer orbit.

You didn't comment on the 2 week limit. The Shuttle only has sufficient oxygen and electric power (from fuel cells and batteries) to cover the types of low-orbit ferry missions it was designed for, such as releasing satellites and servicing the International Space Station. It has no solar panels or water recycling capabilities to support long missions.

 

the shuttle can last alot longer than 2 weeks..



like a month if it wanted to..

you send food and fuel to meet you at different points of your journey.. Its already there suspended in space...
Space shuttle has no solar array. Theres one already built there for it to plug into..
Water is is just as important as oxygen..
How do we know there isnt a prototype shuttle or craft in space already, They just use the crap to take parts to it...
Most the modules built on earth taken up there.. But if they had some kinda new craft, surely some picture of it would leak out.. ? no?

 

This scenario is so unrealistic that rebutting it is...

Ah, screw it. I give up.

 

... you must work for JPL??...

 

Who, me? I wish. That would be a fun job.

 

Given the current space race, it's expected to be around 2030 by America / China. People are assuming China will get there first.