Science

LongTomH

(8,636 posts)

63. Can Elon Musk and SpaceX put humans on Mars before NASA -- and for less money?

Tue Dec 23, 2014, 04:15 PM

Dec 2014

I put my reply to this thread in the form of an OP.

Sorry kids; but, I've seen NASA manned Mars missions cancelled when costs skyrocketed and Congress wasn't ready to foot the bill. I don't see NASA following through, unless their budget is increased; which is unlikely unless:

Top marginal tax rates are increased to pre-Reagan levels (70% or more) and/or:
Military spending is brought under control.

Both are worthy goals for their own sake; but, not likely in the near-term.

I'd like to see Elon Musk have his chance.

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This message was self-deleted by its author [View all] guyton Dec 2014 OP

I would imagine the person would be put in suspended animation or deep sleep Lugano Dec 2014 #1

This message was self-deleted by its author guyton Dec 2014 #3

Somebody has been watching too many SciFi flicks. longship Dec 2014 #7

I don't know about that qazplm Dec 2014 #15

Possibly, however... longship Dec 2014 #18

The latest NASA 'reference mission' (2009) uses Orion as a re-entry vessel to Earth muriel_volestrangler Dec 2014 #20

Thank you. longship Dec 2014 #21

The people-on-Mars thing just seems way too expensive and wasteful to me. arcane1 Dec 2014 #27

Well, then there's this argument... longship Dec 2014 #31

Very good points! But it's a very low priority at the moment, considering things like climate change arcane1 Dec 2014 #34

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #41

BING, BING, BING, BING, BING! longship Dec 2014 #45

"let's solve our problems here" ALWAYS = "never never never never no no no no never." Posteritatis Dec 2014 #50

Oddly enough people can walk and chew gum at the same time. (nt) Posteritatis Dec 2014 #46

Kill Joy. I betcha next you will be telling us that we can't just truedelphi Dec 2014 #33

Well, there's always the continuity problem with Star Trek transporters. longship Dec 2014 #36

I am off to read your link. I do want to point out truedelphi Dec 2014 #52

And to you, too. longship Dec 2014 #53

Only the beginning...of a program that would take 20 years and 500 Billion dollars.... truebluegreen Dec 2014 #2

This message was self-deleted by its author guyton Dec 2014 #4

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #10

If there is no intention to spend the money it would actually take to make that goal a reality truebluegreen Dec 2014 #13

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #24

Intentions will come and go as the program progresses... Orsino Dec 2014 #57

Engineering discover and experiment IS SCIENCE. ^^^ support 1000% on point Dec 2014 #43

It's designed as a giant immersive bong MannyGoldstein Dec 2014 #5

The problem with Orion going to Mars is shielding. longship Dec 2014 #6

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #9

I can't tell if they intend to send an Orion capsule to Mars at all muriel_volestrangler Dec 2014 #12

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #25

I looked further, and found their most recent plan, from 2009 muriel_volestrangler Dec 2014 #32

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #37

Thanks for all the information. truedelphi Dec 2014 #35

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #38

They'll need shielding once they get there, too, if they plan to stay awhile. arcane1 Dec 2014 #29

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #8

Why the hell do we need to put men on Mars? Callmecrazy Dec 2014 #11

because sooner or later qazplm Dec 2014 #16

All going to the Moon proved was that we could do it. Callmecrazy Dec 2014 #17

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #22

What other advancements in science were achieved by going to the moon? lob1 Dec 2014 #30

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #39

No, the only place humans belong is here on Earth cpwm17 Dec 2014 #48

WE will never leave this planet FiveGoodMen Dec 2014 #62

This message was self-deleted by its author guyton Dec 2014 #51

Unmanned supply delivery before astronaunts arrive at Mars NickB79 Dec 2014 #14

This is the only practical solution. longship Dec 2014 #19

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #23

And you are correct. longship Dec 2014 #26

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #28

I concur. longship Dec 2014 #40

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #42

And don't forget Barbara Bain. longship Dec 2014 #44

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #49

Who plays a nun in PBS's (BBC) "Call the Midwife" longship Dec 2014 #54

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #55

She's just great. Period. longship Dec 2014 #56

Heh, I remember how many people here were *utterly* certain that wasn't going to work. (nt) Posteritatis Dec 2014 #47

Mars missions have failed due to the distance and human error. Thor_MN Dec 2014 #58

You've got a good point there. longship Dec 2014 #59

I like the idea of using Deimos as a refuelling point muriel_volestrangler Dec 2014 #60

AKA "Mars Direct" ... eppur_se_muova Dec 2014 #61

Can Elon Musk and SpaceX put humans on Mars before NASA -- and for less money? LongTomH Dec 2014 #63