President Bush wants to send people back to the Moon and Mars. Is this a good idea?

Question

President Bush has urged NASA to concentrate on getting people to the moon and Mars. If we do that, new experiments on the cosmic microwave background, new experiments to probe dark energy, to look for habitable planets -- all these will be delayed and/or canceled because we are sending people back to the moon.

Which is more important to you? Why? Or do you not care one way or the other? Just wondering.

Answer 1

I doubt that the people researching cosmic microwave background, dark energy, or habitable planets will be going to the Moon or Mars. The Moon and Mars, and at least two other bodies in our own solar system are habitable with technologies available 40 years ago. What good are habitable planets in deep space if we lack the means to colonize them? Going back to the Moon and going to Mars are the first "baby steps" in the process of acquiring the technology we will need to get to those habitable planets in deep space. The other projects sound more like will-o-the-wisps to me, but I'd bet they could be better studied with a Moon based super-telescope than even with the Hubble.

Answer 2

The aim of space exploration has three parts. First comes an increase in scientific knowledge. Second comes practical benefits, which include both technological spinoffs (space travel technology used for other things) and resources found in space. Third: colonization.

Colonization in space has never been done. Not even in the space station. A colony may trade or receive supply from Earth BUT IT NEED NOT DO SO. That's the definitive mark of a colony: it is, or can be, self-supporting.

The significance of space colonization is that a permanent nucleus of human life will exist away from Earth and be relatively safe from dangers that might affect our planet - like a big asteroid hit. If humanity were wiped out, Earth might could be reseeded by humans from the space colonies. If civilization and technical knowledge were lost on Earth, the space colonies might be able to bring it back again.

Space colonization is insurance against global catastrophes of the sort that killed the dinosaurs. It happens perhaps only once in millions of years, but when it happens it only needs to happen once. If our race is prepared, it will survive. If it is not prepared, it will be extinct.

Answer 3

Raise taxes and increase the Nasa's budget. Have no fear dear, private enterprise will take over where Nasa's budget falls short.

The space program is very important to me. There is much research that can be done on a moon base vs an orbitor that cannot hold as many supplies. Wouldn't it be neat if they could have done that 11 minute zero gravity surgery on the moon instead of an airplane where it had to be done in 22 second intervals. Wouldn't it be great to see, to melt through and see what is under Europa's surface?

Answer 4

we are already at conflict with Iraq congress gave him the suited back in 2003. The president can no longer declare conflict yet he can deliver troops everywhere he needs to he's the commander of the defense force the only component congress can do is shrink off investment.

Answer 5

I think if any people from the Moon and Mars are found to be on this planet illegally, they should be sent back, no matter the cost.
If we grant them amnesty, the whole planet will soon be overrun by illegal aliens.

Answer 6

I believe we recently abandoned the concept of Dark Energy-check your theories/facts

Answer 7

Do we need to bother - its totally impossible to live there. Lets sort out Earth before we **** up the rest of the solar system!

Answer 8

Only if President Bush goes first and stays a while to check it out.

Answer 9

He is running out of places to invade on earth so the moon is the next best i suppose. Bin Laden might be hiding in a cave up there.

Answer 10

I am all in favor of sending Bush to Mars.