Winston
Lorenzo von Matterhorn
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2009
- Messages
- 9,561
- Reaction score
- 1,755
Error I noticed - Curiosity's wheel issues were not caused by dust as he seemed to imply. Future wheel motor issues might be.
As far as the search for life is concerned, an effort which is by far THE most important goal IMO because it would imply that life is plentiful in the universe if it is found to have developed independently on two planets in a single planetary system, the nearly inevitable biocontamination of Mars caused by human presence is the biggest strike against manned missions or colonization if done prior to finding extraterrestrial life there.
What I'd do:
1. Develop advanced robotics and AI, technologies also highly useful on Earth, and use those to explore the entire solar system for the cost of one manned Mars mission, looking for evidence of current or past life or conditions where they could have developed. Use rovers and sample and return techniques.
2. Only AFTER life is found, use that AI and robotic tech to prep Mars (or wherever) for a manned mission if colonization is the goal.
[video=youtube;ESQ1bKd7Los]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESQ1bKd7Los[/video]
As far as the search for life is concerned, an effort which is by far THE most important goal IMO because it would imply that life is plentiful in the universe if it is found to have developed independently on two planets in a single planetary system, the nearly inevitable biocontamination of Mars caused by human presence is the biggest strike against manned missions or colonization if done prior to finding extraterrestrial life there.
What I'd do:
1. Develop advanced robotics and AI, technologies also highly useful on Earth, and use those to explore the entire solar system for the cost of one manned Mars mission, looking for evidence of current or past life or conditions where they could have developed. Use rovers and sample and return techniques.
2. Only AFTER life is found, use that AI and robotic tech to prep Mars (or wherever) for a manned mission if colonization is the goal.
[video=youtube;ESQ1bKd7Los]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESQ1bKd7Los[/video]