[geoschmo]

Originally posted by Ruatha:
I think you are pretty alone in thinking that it's technology that hinders a manned mission to Mars.
Today it's mostly economics, the cost will be huge.

Actually if you read the recent literature most of the scientific community now believes that Mars colonization is out of our current technological reach. It is NOT simply a matter of money. Recent findings are that the radiation levels there are much higher then we previously believed among other things.

I think most agree that eventually we could have colonies on Mars. The question is whether we are capable of having self-sufficent colonies on mars. And I mean TOTALLY self sufficent. Not dependant on regular replenishment shipments from Earth with spare parts, etc.

Only when we can do that can we even think about sending a ship to another star. And that will be more difficult because at least on mars you have access to the planets raw materials.

A good example of what I am talking about is the Int'l Space Station. It is not anywhere near self sufficent. One accident grounds the Shuttle fleet and you hear talk of abandoning it alltogether. Even keeping it operational is tough. Depending on teh Soyuz means only two crew members can remain on the station. And those two are so busy doing station maintenance that they complain they don't have time for research. More money would not make it self sufficent. It might give us better options for replenishment, but wouldn't make the station self suficent.

[ August 08, 2003, 15:33: Message edited by: geoschmo ]