Is Martian life on ice?

Meko, Alexandria, Virginia — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:54:15 GMT

please dont send us to mars....lol. If God wanted us to live there he would've put us there!!

Is Martian life on ice?

Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 01:12:15 GMT

Good article! I’ve heard that microbes can be dormant for as long as 250 – 500 million years, which is more than enough time for a chunk of bacteria-ladened rock – blasted into space by a large meteor impact -- to make the journey all the way from Earth to Mars, where it could land safely with microscopic life. Life can very well exist on Mars right now. I’d be surprised if it wasn’t.

I always ALWAYS love Robert Zubrin's tenacity and enthusiasm, but I do disagree that “Mars is a far better destination than the moon.” Unfortunately, neither Mars nor the moon has the proper gravity for our bodies or an atmosphere able to shield us from solar radiations. A FAR better off-world colonization plan would be to find a near-earth asteroid that also contains high amounts of water ice. Land on it, mine it for water, oxygen, fuel, and raw meterials, and simply build a spinning space city right there.

What makes this easier to do than Mars is the low gravity of the asteroid allows us to come and go as we choose, while the space outpost is under construction. Heck, the NEO’s orbit may even take us out towards the asteroid belt so we can just hitch a ride and further explore!

A spinning space city ...

http://www.starlarvae.org/SL_graphics/space_colony_1.jpg

... can simulate proper earth gravity and can be covered with the remaining debris from the asteroid into a thick radiation shield. It’s all about avoiding gravity wells once you get into space. A space city also avoids the vulnerability of a surface outpost to the shockwave of a meteor impact, which could be hundreds of miles away and still affect a surface base. A near miss of a space station would not have any such effect.

Is Martian life on ice?

Scott Maxwell Sheridan Wyoming — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 02:04:50 GMT

My brain tells me the moon but my heart tells me Mars. I have dreamed about going to Mars since the Viking landers in the "70's". Either one...but just do it. We need the re-assurance that when and if we destroy ourselves and our environment here that we might survive there.

Is Martian life on ice?

brian smith atlanta, georgia — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 02:14:33 GMT

aaawwwwe!!! we all kmow there is life out there somewhere, it's just whether or not if we find them, or they find us first!!!

Is Martian life on ice?

B Jensen, Idaho — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 02:17:30 GMT

I was in the 5th Grade when the Russians put up Sputnik 1. Wow, was I amazed. Too bad I will not be around to see us explore Mars on a more detailed level. In 1969 we went to the Moon with computer technology less than an 8088 Intel processor.

We really did a lot of advancements, from the late 50s to the late 60s. John Kennedy had vision, since his assassination, the country has lost its Futurist View. China will probably take over in Space Exploration, we have lost our way. Too bad.

Is Martian life on ice?

Josh, Madison, WI — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 02:18:07 GMT

Meko - If God didn't want us to go to Mars period, he wouldn't have allowed us the ingenuity to develop the science and technology to get there.

Is Martian life on ice?

David Castro, Tucson, Arizona — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 03:10:18 GMT

In respone to Eldridge's space city theory, I must say it is a valid idea. If Disney made a movie and Roddenberry made a series on it, it is a proposition definitely worth considering. The real moral dilemma is whether we should continue studying and maybe some day developing Mars for human civilization or to leave it be and obey Trek's "Prime Directive". Personally, I believe that we should cultivate Mars; why not? Kirk violated it countless times.

Is Martian life on ice?

Des Emery, The CarborundumChronicles,St.Thomas,ON, Canada — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 03:10:22 GMT

Hi, Alan -- welcome back! This is a good one, and I'm happy to see Chris E. dreaming big. And reviving the idea of a wheel in space for a habitat. Goes with the territory, eh, Chris? Josh and Meko can argue God's purpose for us but shouldn't ignore our prime human attribute which we share with no-one else around here, and that is our free will; we will go to Mars (and everywhere) if and only if we choose to. We can choose to stay home too, more's the pity.

But back to the ice at Mars' polar region. I have my doubts about it supporting life. They are saying 'pure' H2O, aren't they? And 'old.' And no other life is obvious anywhere we've looked for it on the surface of Mars, which says to me that life has never developed anywhere on the planet or it would have covered the place with algae or moss or Martian grass of some kind, because life is so adaptive to any condition, but requires very specific conditions in order to be formed out of mere chemicals.

Is Martian life on ice?

Thirsting for Space, Vladivostok, RU — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 03:17:04 GMT

Sooooo...if there is that much water ice on Mars, then it is time for a neighborhood sized.....Marstini, shaken but not stirred. Three fuel tanks which are filled respectively (and respectfully) with the best earth-sourced vodka, gin, and vermouth...and the cargo bay bursting with Spanish olives and cocktail onions. Thank you very mush for taking ush to spasche.

Is Martian life on ice?

Don Shepson, Ft. Myers, FL — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 03:19:14 GMT

Oh how I wish I could be around when humans finally go to Mars. Better yet, I'd give anything to be one of those that get to go, even with understanding that there was a good chance I would never return.

Is Martian life on ice?

Mark Henesian, Livermore, CA — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 03:49:57 GMT

Technology is advancing at an enormous rate - across all disciplines. There's no reason to wait until 2037 to make a Mars trip, or earlier to build a science station on the Moon - just ridiculous. Let's get some leadership in this country, get our Chinese, Russian, Japanese, European, Asian, and Latin American colleagues fired up and get to work ! We can develop technologies to mitigate Earth's climate problems and still agressively work an international space effort. By 2011 we will have Nuclear Fusion working in the USA and France. Practical Fusion energy will take another two decades, but could be accelerated. Trips beyond Mars will use Fusion power.

Is Martian life on ice?

Mike, Farmington Hills, MI — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 03:50:38 GMT

Enough water to cover the entire planet to a depth of 30ft should be plenty to terraform it with oxygen producing plants. Work should begin immediately on genetically engineering plants able to withstand and thrive in this harsh climate. I say go directly to Mars. The moon isn't that essential as a staging platform. We could just as easily assemble the craft in low earth orbit with zero gravity as opposed to the Moons 1/6th Gravity. Why build on the moon only to have to escape gravity one more time? Please visit my website for more technology stories: http://www.omninews.com

Is Martian life on ice?

Chaz, Irvine, CA — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 04:12:52 GMT

Does everyone here seriously think this is a better use of our resources than something else... let's say... CARING FOR OUR FELLOW MAN! Why is it so darn important to get to Mars, when we can't solve our own problems at home? Ridiculous... just plain ridiculous.

Is Martian life on ice?

Vivi, Monroe, NJ — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 04:25:22 GMT

Beam me up, Scotty. I've always wanted to go, at least into orbit. I agree, we need a new world available if or when this one becomes uninhabitable. Between global warming, pollution, etc., etc. we should plan ahead. And people have exploration in their DNA, so figure out how to do it and the volunteers will be eager to go. How amazing to be able to see first-hand what the rovers & landers & fly-by mission cameras send back to us now.

Is Martian life on ice?

Ted Turcott — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 04:32:13 GMT

So what.If there is what are you going to do?Have a glass of ice tea?I don't believe life is there.I think it is just a way to keep our imaginatons going.

Is Martian life on ice?

Peter Renson — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 04:51:36 GMT

Meko - We'll have to go there one day anyways. Mars will be in a somewhat better zone as the sun slowly evolves to its red giant status and melts the earth.

Is Martian life on ice?

chris, oxford, ms. — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 04:53:57 GMT

if we destroy our selves here, then why would we want to be on mars, wouldn't we just destroy ourselves there too?

Is Martian life on ice?

Shocker, Fort Worth — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 04:57:43 GMT

And so God looked down upon the Earth and decided He was saddened and tired of what He saw there. So He sent a great comet crashing down upon the Earth and destroyed all the life He had created. When all the despairing souls went to their judgement, many cried, "Oh God, great and powerful, we have led a good life. We have tried to follow your Word! Why have you destroyed the only place in your Universe where we could live?"

And God thundered, "The only place where you could live? Fools! I created another planet in your own solar system that is covered with iron and rocket fuel! It was there for you to pluck like an apple from a tree. You needed only to build the ladder to reach it. Yet you were too concerned with your own petty lives and vanities to move there. So now you deserve your fate and the fourth planet will remain barren forever!"

Is Martian life on ice?

Hay sus, Austin, Texas — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:13:38 GMT

Maybe Martian life is being preserved in the polar cap waiting for a better time after a calamity on that planet. Did they all but destroy themselves?

Is Martian life on ice?

Rich_Tired of the BS — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:28:28 GMT

Meko, Meko...Based on your statement, if we go to Mars one could argue that "God" did want us to go. It's always strange when a person of faith tries to use logic to explain a religious view. Please...save it for church!

I say we need to move quickly, but cautiously to get to Mars. It would seem that we need to build some new technologies to get our people there safely. Lots of back-ups and redundency built in to make sure the mission would be safe and successful. This all may be a natural progression for intelligent beings to spread throughout a solar system and eventually beyond to other solar systems. We must learn to do these things and act as quickly as the technology can be developed. Also, the things we will learn on other planets will help us right here on earth. It is a big win for everybody if we go!

Is Martian life on ice?

Jason D, West Chester, PA — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:34:51 GMT

Please don't listen to Meko up there. If "God" didn't want us to go to Mars, he wouldn't have "given" us these massive brains that would eventually allow us to develop the sophisticated technology that would make a trip to Mars even conceivable. What is there to be lost by exploring Mars? I don't imagine that I'll ever make the trip, but I love reading and hearing about it - learning about it - which is what I think gives a lot of people a hard time.

[...]

We should go to the moon as well. Why couldn't we build a base up there and turn it into a fueling station? It looks to me like taking off from Earth burns a lot of fuel - hence the huge tanks that drop off shortly after the shuttles reach space. Make it so more of those tanks can be added to the shuttle on the moon, then take off from there. I have no idea what I'm talking about, but it sounds like a good idea to me. Have an imagination. "Explore your world."

While our finest astronauts are up there I hope they stop in on that thing that looks like a face. What is that? Is it real? If so, I'd be seriously interested in knowing pretty much anything about it.

Is Martian life on ice?

Jason D. — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:37:17 GMT

Sorry - just read the "PLEASE READ" information above. Didn't mean to attack comments of others. Hope the same person reads this...

Is Martian life on ice?

James Raymond, Las Vegas, NV — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 05:54:23 GMT

Let's forget about manned missions to the moon and Mars. We can get 50x more bang for the buck by sending robotic spacecraft. I want to know if life is on Mars or Europa in my lifetime, not my next lifetime.

Is Martian life on ice?

Jason D, West Chester, PA — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 06:01:07 GMT

Love the article. Very encouraging stuff. I think going to Mars is not only a great idea, but an important step for humankind.

I don't imagine that I will make the trip in my lifetime, but I love learning about it. I can't imagine why we wouldn't make exploring Mars a top priority if we have the means to do so. If we as a people can technologically make it happen, I think it would be a great step toward making more of the unknown, known. Even if just a little bit at a time. It may even end up helping humankind in our long-time struggle to figure out where we came from, and who are we? Who knows?

I'm definitely pro-exploration. The basis of science and exploration is pretty much the same - discovery of the unknown, and ruling out the impossible. You cannot accomplish either feat with closed minds.

We should go to the moon as well. Why couldn't we build a base up there and turn it into a fueling station? It looks to me like taking off from Earth burns a lot of fuel - hence the huge tanks that drop off shortly after the shuttles reach space. Make it so more of those tanks can be added to the shuttle on the moon, then take off from there. I have no idea what I'm talking about, but it sounds like a good idea to me. Have an imagination. "Explore your world."

While our finest astronauts are up there I hope they stop in on that thing that looks like a face. What is that? Is it real? If so, I'd be seriously interested in knowing pretty much anything new about it.

Is Martian life on ice?

James from the planet kawingo — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 06:40:57 GMT

of course there is life out there but you will never receive it to touch until the after life you know there is GOD who will choose who does what connect with him receive the truth and you will live forever to explore the universe do not deny him any longer and be ready to receive your disipline if you are a true child of the Creator

Is Martian life on ice?

Jason D, West Chester, PA — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 06:43:17 GMT

I have to say - I read Meko's comments and scrolled straight down to post a message. After going back and reading all of the other responses, I'm stoked about the general attitude. Granted, the population that goes to MSNBC.com and clicks on an article about Mars is probably pretty biased...

To add to earlier comments - caring for our fellow man is quite possibly the biggest reason we're heading toward the position of having to seek other inhabitable environments that could serve as an alternative to life on Earth. Any survival of the fittest fans out there?

To Des - I see what you're saying about covering the place with algae, moss, whatever - if life had ever existed on the red planet, but at the same you mention that the surface has been explored. Exactly. It's what's below the surface that counts. To us, from here on Earth, or from our unmanned vehicles in space, Mars appears to be a "dead" planet, but on our own planet - although it is teeming with life on the surface - we still have to dig to find our past. Whether it's for saber toothed cats, dinosaurs, "the missing link," or artifacts from Jamestown, we have to dig. If life ever did exist on Mars, we could be talking hundreds of millions to billions of years ago.

And finally to James - robots can take pictures, samples, compile and send data, and perform analysis - among other things - but, they will never be able to capture and describe the human experience involved in such an experience.

Is Martian life on ice?

Phantomdiver-Miami, Florida — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 07:27:58 GMT

God did intend for us to go to Mars...we did....or at least our ancestors did....finding a planet covered with large lizards and casual distruption of an asteroid....then....a new home when the dust clears....but this may just be theory....or will we find our own footprints frozen in the Mars polar ice....

Is Martian life on ice?

MCH, Santa Fe, TX — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 07:45:52 GMT

Chaz, compared to the amount of money spent on welfare (food, money, housing, etc), health welfare, eliminating poverty... the amount government has spent on space is pathetic.

Is Martian life on ice?

Aaron Oesterle, Mason, MI — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 07:51:58 GMT

James - the reason we need manned spaceflight is some of us want to know that there will be life on Mars or the Moon into the future. Its much better that way.

Is Martian life on ice?

John Salisbury nc — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 10:02:15 GMT

All this speculation about this potential or that potential on other planeets may make for interesting headlines. But as long as we are dependent on chemical rockets for space travel, then it will remain nothing more than a very, very expensive research tool for scientists. Look at maritime history. Until the late 18th century when steam power began to replace sail power, intercontinental travel was also relatively long, dangerous, and expensive. I think that instead of spending huge amounts of money on small interplanetary experiments, NASA should be concentrating on perfecting a better form of propulsion that will make interplanetary travel truly practical and profitable.

Is Martian life on ice?

Darren Turner, Byron, GA — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 10:17:43 GMT

"Space, The final frontier, these are the voyages of the Human Race, their life long ambition to find a new place to live, to seek out new ways to exist, TO BOLDLY GO, despite themselves" I do believe that Gene Roddenberry had the vision and we SHOULD without hesitation continue our quest into the final frontier. No we are not going to blow up this planet or use up all its resoures, because there is plenty here for us to BEGIN and thrive. The only sad part I believe is that I won't be around when we really BEGIN our exploration of other planets. I just wish people who are religious would mind thier own various religions and leave the other folks alone. But like I was told one time, the reason that religions do not want us to explore is they are scared of what the explorers WILL find.

Is Martian life on ice?

J D MILLER SPRINGFIELD IL. — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:59:24 GMT

WITH THOSE FROZEN MICROBES THAT CAN POSSIBLY REVIVE ITSELF AFTER LONG PERIODS OF TIME. WHAT IF THOSE MICROBES ARE DANGEROUS TO HUMANS AS WELL AS ALL LIFE ON EARTH. I AM SURE PRIOR TO COLONIZING MARS WE WILL BRING BACK SAMPLES OF FROZEN MICROBES. WHICH MAY POSSIBLY KILL US ALL AND WE WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT COLONIZING MARS. FOR THOSE WHO SAY WE HAVE SAFE GUARDS AGAINST THAT OCCURING REMEMBER WHEN THE MOON ROCK WAS STOLEN FROM THE LAB, THEY SAID THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN. I THINK HUMANS OVERSTEP THEIR BOUNDARIES WITHOUT THINKING OF OUTCOMES.

Is Martian life on ice?

Quincy, Malmo, Sweden. — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:59:33 GMT

Chaz... If we solved all our earthly problems, and created a harmonious global society where everyone was equally looked after, I would imagine, depending on when the endeavour was undertaken (say 100 years ago, or 20... today even, take your pick of what you would like in an ideal global society... it's a big question, depending on many different points of view and ideas), if it was ever achieved, we all would most likely have very little, other than the perception that we are all equally flat in our knowledge and possibility. If we tried to do this before striving to tackle future goals, we would most likely never progress to anything close to our potential (which might even include a type of Utopia). I don't know anyone who thinks the world is 'fair' and not full of seemingly unnecessary suffering. I’m sure most rational people think the distribution of wealth is insane – even the wealthy. The best hope for our self-imposed, close to disastrous situation here on Earth, is further advancement in science & technology. While exploration of Mars seems unrelated to the good of ‘Man-Kind’ on Earth, it is the achievements in these apparently unrelated directions, that will provide the answers to the problems we have here on our planet… well, that’s my rational. You obviously enjoy your technology Chaz… how big do you see the picture? Peace.

Is Martian life on ice?

David — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 12:23:34 GMT

I am so sick of people thinking this is only planet in universe that we can stay on. u forgetting that in this galaxy theres so many solar systems like ours, i am sure out of all millions of solar systems out there i am sure they have 3rd planet from the sun as well that can sustain life. we dont have ability to look way too far to see that we cant even see close to other solar systems in great detail ... theres so much out there and still we sit here and say we have the only planet that can have life. What experience do these scientists have? seriously we never made it past the moon ... we cant sit here and say we only planet unless somone actually visit it i dont see how we can sit there and say all planets out in this galaxy alone is not like earth. Thats like someone back in the 9th century saying there is no new world. how can he know that? he cant see north america or south america from europe at that time. so its same thing ... u dont say theres no planets out there unless u seen them all.

Is Martian life on ice?

damien mc, melbourne australia — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 12:25:37 GMT

many countries spend millions/billions on the space race and the race to POSSIBLY populate another planet,it now seems that after doing a good job of buggering this planet we as humans wish to do the same to mars, WHY??????

Is Martian life on ice?

Brian, Fenton. Mi — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 12:30:20 GMT

To me saying "If God wanted us to live there he would've put us there" makes as much sense as it did when people said it 400 years ago talking about "the new world" And personally, i'm glad that unlike us they didn't let their sense of exploration be shot down by monetary constraints. Face it, NASA is a government funded organization. And as such, it will never get the funding it needs. I for one cannot wait for Richard Branson to fully create his vision. And, if people were smart they'd try to get Bill Gates and Microsoft to get into the space business. With their resources, we could be there in 5 years. Finally, the best reason for a moon base refueling station/construction yard is that zero energy is required to stay orbiting the earth. The moon can do that one on its own. So a bigger more efficient station could be built

Is Martian life on ice?

Joe Philadelphia, Pa — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 12:30:44 GMT

Finding life on another planet would be the single most important thing for all humanity. Human have the tendency to think we are different and unique, finding life on other plants will bring the world together in a way we have not even begun to fathom.

Is Martian life on ice?

columbus, georgia — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 12:34:46 GMT

hey i'll go maybe god is there meko, i'll ask him for you what he thinks about it. I don't know though being that he gave us a mind to freely think and i use the word freely very strong why not try to explore our "world" meaning world not just earth.

Is Martian life on ice?

JC, Riverton, CT — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 12:53:42 GMT

Well said, Shocker, Fort Worth. Well said.

Is Martian life on ice?

J Entz, Jackson, MS — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 13:17:43 GMT

What's all this GOD with a " ". Let me tell you something Meko - most of these cats on here have no faith based belief system. you people really think that we are just spinning in space because of some scientific blah-blah? While God has given us the ability to reason, we as humans have also proven, through the creation of some completely stupid items, like nuc's and assault weapons, that we do not always make the right desicion. Exploring for signs of life and development is acceptable, but we were placed on Earth at this particular time for a reason. Instead of looking for a new planet to destroy, we should concentrate on fixing the one we already messed up. God is Love, even for you skeptic believers!!!

Is Martian life on ice?

Josh, Madison, WI — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 13:54:33 GMT

Ted - Hawkings has been saying it best himself in that in order for the human race to ensure its survival we MUST eventually be able to leave Earth and estabolish colonies elsewhere. What better place to get a start than Mars? We can't just pack up and go though. It's going to take years and years of research and new discoveries and finding out if life presently exists, has existed, or could exist in some way shape or form on Mars is an incredibly important step.

Is Martian life on ice?

Jacob Jozefz, Brooklyn New York — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 14:10:56 GMT

Anyone want to buy or claim some prime real estate on the Moon's North edge, like in Shackleton Crater, for posterity's sake? I read or I might have heard that there is frozen H2O in those dark unlit craters! I'm going to tell me son to become a private astro-nut and to take a pitch-fork with him on his way to Sister Moon and Brother Mars in order to stake his claim. Holy Moses, Jesus, Mohammad, Krishna, Budda and the other Pre-Apocolyptic religious freaks. Note: The UNIVERSE is my real Constitution and the Laws of IT (G-d is neither a He nor a She. G-d IT a/k/a ECLAT: It is the Flash first and big Bang second not the other way around. And TIME is Temperature not Space time) in Nature are the Clauses within ALL thing animate and inanimate. We live in transfinity (Reality) and we never die. just be good in this world, strive for Healing of the Nations, World Peace in pesuant to our Spaceforth Activity's (See The Book Of Transfinity and what to do next). Behold, Life is a miracle and there is zero sin about it!

Is Martian life on ice?

Jerry M. Weikle — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 14:16:58 GMT

Interesting article on the amount of water stored as ice in the polar regions of Mars and the potential that life exist. Last year, scientist discovered that methane gas concentrations were in the atmosphere, there could be methogenic bacteria in some of the regions on Mars. With the potential of life existing on Mars, why not add new strains of micro-flora and fauna into the ecosystem from Earth's more extreme environments?

If Mars is to eventually be terraformed, or at least in some regions, soil bacteria concentration would have to increase and also the amounts of organic material would have to increase in some of the areas.

Is Martian life on ice?

Mark Van Leuven, Rome, Georgia — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 14:36:30 GMT

One might also consider the possibility that beneath the 2.3 miles of subsurface ice, a 'slushy' mixture or even liquid layer might exist, raising the possibility that life may exist there today (if it ever took a foothold in the first place). Much like the current theory that a subsurface ocean exists on Europa, the same principle might hold true to our neighboring red planet. Although Mars isn't subject to the same tidal forces that exist within the Jovian-Europan system, enough evidence exists to support some significant manner of recent volcanism/radioactive decay deep within the planet. The subsurface ice should be close enough to be afforded some measure of warmth from the active interior, perhaps enough to melt the ice and create a 'habitable' zone for even the most rudimentary of lifeforms. One only need think about how hot it gets for the South African diamond miners, when they are a mere mile beneath the Earth's surface, in order to better grasp this concept. The prospect of life is also slightly elevated when you consider that Mars isn't bombarded with the same level of radiation that pummels Europa...

Is Martian life on ice?

Leo, Santo Domingo, D.R — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:01:44 GMT

Honestly for me there would be NOTHING BETTER THEN TO SEE THE GALAXY, i know that sounds corny but i know that im not the only one like this, for me theres nothing more thrilling then not knowing what is out there and its really killing me to see how weve been progressing all theses years and we really dont have alot of anwsers. In this case i think that mars would be a good choice but i was allready conviced with the moon.

Is Martian life on ice?

Joel, Phoenix AZ — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:40:58 GMT

This life on Mars is just hype to receive funding.

How do you get life from water?

Any life on Mars, came from Earth.

It's ironic scientists are so sure Mars was covered by water, but
deny the Earth was once covered by water.

What about risk 29:

http://www.rxpgnews.com/research/article_4980.shtml

Among the gravest risks of a manned flight to Mars ranks the possibility that massive amounts of solar and cosmic radiation will decimate the brains of astronauts, leaving them in a vegetative state, if they survive at all.

Dubbed "Risk 29" by NASA's Mars scientists, the cosmic radiation risk remains a show-stopper because shielding a spacecraft from all radiation could make it too heavy to reach Mars, which, at its closest, is 38 million miles from earth.

Now, medical scientists have been tasked to determine the human brain's maximum safe cosmic radiation dose and to decipher precisely how radiation causes cognitive impairment, part of a quest for biological countermeasures to reduce radiation-related cognitive impairment.

Is Martian life on ice?

Pete Smith, WA — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:42:22 GMT

Establishing a Mars base may just be one of the best ways of "caring for our fellow man". I worked for a number of years in the Peace Corps doing just that at my own expense, but I am sure that exploration is also essential. If we hadn't taken the initiative to colonize Australia, the Americas, etc. (even as original inhabitants ~40k years ago) would the world be better?

People need hope, vision and, actually, a challenge in addition to food and water; ..otherwise we devolve into squabbling amongst ourselves which is just what is happenning now. It turns out, as I learned in the Peace Corps, most of the world's problems are because of our squabbling not because of our higher aspirations. By learning about life on Mars we may learn better how to nurture it here.

Is Martian life on ice?

Parsec, Magnetowave, UNI — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:44:38 GMT

Mars today. Pluto tomorrow. Why, you ask? The answer is "why not?" Ladders are composed of rungs that alternate between reach and grasp, are we are forever blessed and cursed with ladders. And who let the dogs out?

Is Martian life on ice?

Travis K., Boise Idaho — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 15:51:54 GMT

Why leave Earth and check out the rest of our solar system? It has been put eloquently in Star Trek re-runs for decades. "To boldly go where no one has gone before". For the same reason people decide to risk life and limb to climb Everest, or the same reason people bungee-jump or sky-dive.

I for one would love the challenge of colonizing Mars, making a new life, and being millions of miles away from the infighting and strife that dominate our current planet.

Is Martian life on ice?

Alan Sheets, Loveland CO — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:48:27 GMT

Chaz, regarding your comments on helping your fellow man: "Ridiculous... just plain ridiculous."... the only thing I find ridiculous is thinking that humanity has the resources to defeat GREED. There's more than enough time, brains, energy, food, money, whatever, to fix every problem on Earth and still sail the stars -- but only if some folks learn to sacrifice. Since those folks won't sacrifice, I'll just go to Mars instead.

But to give you some credit, I'll leave you with a saying that a bunch of ladies at Mary Kay Cosmetics are fond of repeating: "Aim for the stars. If you miss, you'll still end up hitting the Moon."

Is Martian life on ice?

Jeremy Paskins — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:50:19 GMT

Exploration is simply in our blood, this is not something we can stop. Since our wandering ancestor came out of Africa to new places to live, to the reasons why all of you and I have read this article in the hopes of getting to the next step. We will get to Mars, and then the next planet, and the next. This is just inevitable, and I do believe in GOD, I just don't believe all the words in the bible. The bible tells us that the earth is unique, but those are the words of someone that only knew what he saw outside. He had no knowledge of the beyond.

GOD I think would not stop us from exploring at all.

Personally I think the people that are say GOD does not want us to go to Mars are the people that are so scared that we will find something living or once living at Mars, then that will give doubt in the bibles accuracy.

GOD is Fact, the Bible is Fiction.

Is Martian life on ice?

John Turner, Atlanta, Georgia — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 17:08:36 GMT

I just got finished blogging about the war in Iraq, and now I'm posting a comment on the current theme of space exploration. The stark contrast of those two actions underscores the importance of space exploration, it is one example of the finer side of man. Our curiousity to know more about the world around us and to better ourselves are among our finest traits. It is important, to everyone, and to our future.

I say let NASA go straight for Mars and open up the moon for private exploration by commercial interests. After all, we already know almost all there is to know about the moon, and there's not much there. In spite of all the recent advances in our understanding of the red planet, there are still more questions than there are answers. Let's go where the answers are, and elevate our understanding of the universe around us as a people, in the process.

Is Martian life on ice?

Shawn, Waldorf, Maryland — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 18:01:01 GMT

Necessity is the mother of all invention! This is a statement based on cold hard fact. It is a fact that unless some major changes happen, and faster then the septics (no not a misspell) want to admit, we are going to have to expand out in our own solar system, and then farther if we as a species hope to survive. I desperately hope that there is life out there! Because to think that in all of the galaxies we have discovered, all of the stars we see at night that we are the only life here is just a chilling thought.

Now to the subject of all these people spouting religion, what is the DEAL?!?!? I mean i am a devout Roman Catholic, but to take any one religion and there text as the end all be all of anything is not only ridiculous, it is absolutely absurd. To think that any persons "GOD" of choice would be so singular....so small in his thinking to make only one planet in all we see capable of supporting life just seems a slap in the face to their existence.

Well i have ranted enough for one day and i truly do hope that in my lifetime i do get to see proof of extra terrestrial life!

Is Martian life on ice?

HumbleThoughts — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 18:49:45 GMT

I am surprised that folks are tentative about investigating Mars based on the fact that God didn't put us there. I'd just like to say that as a Christian, I'd love to know more about God's creation so that I can know Him better. That includes learning more about Mars.

As far as the Bible's accuracy with regards to life on other planets... I'm afraid it doesn't say anything one way or the other on that one. I don't understand how any discovery on Mars could even suggest that the Bible is inaccurate. Just because it says God created life on Earth doesn't in any way imply that He didn't create some form of life anywhere else (this might be a stretch...but hey, Heaven is mentioned with tons of creatures in it).

I personally would be surprised if there was life on Mars, but such a discovery would certainly not be faith-shattering.

So don't stress it folks... after all "The truth will set you free." Therefore, we shouldn't be afraid to search for the truth.

Is Martian life on ice?

rudy pirone — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 19:14:26 GMT

Use common sense, we are it, there is no life out there only here . God made man in His image. If evolution is true don't you think there would be factual evidence that we would have . Surely do you really think as a evoultionist thinks ,we are the top ,and no other life would be 100's of times more superior than ours?

Is Martian life on ice?

Wendy, Rochester NY — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 19:16:28 GMT

As a SUNY freshman Anthro major back in '89 I remember telling my advisor that one day we would excavate for fossils on Mars! I am so excited to see whether or not we can find any evidence of life beyond our own little sphere. However, I think some of it may have already made it's way to earth...any of you ever hear of "water bears"? Check out this link; these little critters will blow your mind, and they are, apparently, everywhere. (And incredibly adaptive) ....... http://www.tardigrades.com/

Is Martian life on ice?

T.Barrick, Phoenix Az — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 19:16:58 GMT

The sad truth of the matter is that we (humans) could go to Mars in the next 1 - 5 years *if* we wanted to.

The issue holding us back is sitting right in front of you. If you have read most of the comments above, the arguments for and against range from religious opposition to need for social welfare, to I want to go, to send robots.

The fact of the matter is that America would not exist if those that established this country had listened to all this chatter, and been "politically correct" in the decision making process. They were hell bent (pardon the pun) on finding a place that they could do what they wanted.

For exploration of space to really occur it will take a unified LOUD voice from the people that "give" the government money, that raises above the volume of the din of those that claim that they or there issues are more important and deserving; ...or some really deep pocketed investors with a reason to go – such as a volcano spewing gold, diamonds, or some cure for something.

Is Martian life on ice?

Paul Fennimore, North Lauderdale Florida — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 19:50:55 GMT

Everybody please relax. We are going to Mars and beyond - like it or not it's in our nature to explore - as for a religious aspect - we will carry our religions with us. There have been in our past aliens visiting us and would not doubt one bit if in some way we are a product of those visits. Either way, we are going out there and no, some of us will not live long enough to see this (we have to except that) but we don't have to be happy about it. I myself envy future generations that will actually count some alien species as friends and yes there will be other species that won't be considered friends. Enjoy what your small piece of space and time is allowing you to see and please don't let those who say we should stay here on our own planet upset you or put in your mind any doubt that sometime, someday, we will travel the stars. I never did by Albert's theory of mass being unable to move faster than the speed of light - and never will - where getting faster and faster every year - being in my 60's I won't be around much longer but I know that my dream will carry on with you younger folks, your creative imaginations will make it so.

Is Martian life on ice?

leland Otoole — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 22:09:23 GMT

What the mars rovers photos show is the infinite eye of god. Terraforming the surface would be as marring as in yellowstone or the grand canyon. Mars would be another great place for gambling casinos, I guess?

Is Martian life on ice?

Darnell Clayton, SC — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 00:01:44 GMT

Wow, a lot of great comments here!

Although I would love to go to Mars tomorrow, we need to test ourselves on the Moon first.

Reasons? We still have to deal with the loss of bone mass, muscle mass from not being around Earth gravity.

Not to mention prove to ourselves that we can actually survive in a biosphere offworld (which we have not done).

If we went to Mars, help would be years away and if death happened, that might set us back another century.

The moon however is great proving ground, not to mention within our budget, and as much as I write about Mars on my blog, it's the Moon first (with Mars by 2050 via private sector).

Is Martian life on ice?

Elizabeth Anne Ensley, Bayport, NY — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 00:55:51 GMT

I believe that we should aim for Mars first. As we plan for that objective, we may well find the moon developed as a byproduct of this endeavor. There is an historical precedent. Columbus was aiming for India, but instead wound up in the Americas. It did not stop commerce to India, and Columbus was not trying to land in a country that he had never heard of, but he did. Who knows where we shall end up, in the meantime?

Is Martian life on ice?

Des Emery,The Carborundum Chronicles,St.Thomas,ON,Canada — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 05:41:48 GMT

Jason D. of West Chester - maybe you're new to this blog, but Alan Boyle is a true Irishman, i.e., a gentleman and a scholar, and he would never toss anyone out for expressing an honest, whimsical, humourous, serious point-of-view. Maybe scatological...

Now prepare yourselves, people, I'm going to quote The Bible. When Christ was trying to explain to his folks that they should just think of him as a Good Shepherd, he also said "Other sheep I have, who are not of this fold." Who was he talking about? Maybe ET?

Jason, I don't think any exploration will provide proof of any recent life. Perhaps we'll find some evidence of proto-life bacteria-like cellular organisms but I doubt that too. Only Earth had the early conditions to spawn life-like organisms, and the later conditions to allow the forms which could adapt to changing conditions to flourish and eventually become us. We no longer have those early conditions and therefore no "new" lifeforms springing up, only those which can evolve into new forms from old ones. All skeletal animals have a skull, spine, ribs, and four limbs, which all became necessary as our antecedents looked for something to eat, our prime directive for self-preservation.

David - Planets around other suns are common. Habitable planets are not. Planets which can initiate life, then change, like Earth did, to allow that life to grow, are very, very rare. We wouldn't be having this discussion otherwise.

Is Martian life on ice?

hxe38, Ontario, Canada — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 13:33:17 GMT

[...] We are going into space, And if we find life we are surely going to shatter your ridiculous man-made religious nonsense.

God is fiction, Religion is insanity.

Is Martian life on ice?

Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 18:05:45 GMT

MARSIS is a marvellous instrument. I am not sure a robotic lander could get enough information from the frozen depths though. If you could physically drill into and retrieve drill cores from depth like they do in the arctic and antarctic to study past climate and atmosphere, I am sure the martian ice holds many secrets about it's distant past atmosphere and climate. Looking for direct evidence of life in the ice and water is certainly easier but is an expensive crap shoot just the same.

Is Martian life on ice?

Phil Jarina, Edmonton, Alberta — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 21:16:54 GMT

Columbus went East to discover the New World. And we now have America. Incas became Christians.

Magellan went further East looking for spice and he discovered the Philippines. And proved that earth is not flat. The natives became Christians.

Armstrong took a small step on the moon for a giant leap of mankind. There's nobody there.

This robot looking for life in Mars found ice. This robot does not carry a bible.

So keep Christ in your homes, in your families, and in your communities.

Do not distort science with your personal interpretation of the Bible. It does not glorify God.

Is Martian life on ice?

Des Emery,The Carborundum Chronicles,St.Thomas,ON,Canada — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 03:58:01 GMT

Jason D. - sorry, forgot to tell you that they have got better pictures now of that Martian 'face' that is so obviously a face in early pictures. Sorry, but in those closeups it becomes more and more apparent that it is only geological features, including a central rise (nose), a ridge (eyes and brows), and a cascade of rocks (mouth and chin). The closeup looks nothing like a face at all.

Mark Van L. - It was radar which showed the ice at the Martian South Pole, and measured its depth at over two miles. Pure Ice all the way to the ground. The only anomaly they found there was that the whole icefield rested in a depression rather smoothly. Earth's diameter at the poles is less than the diameter at the equator, and we do have liquid water under the Antarctic icecap holding heat from the Earth's interior. Mars is too cold for a similar scenario to operate there, and Mars does not have a strong metal core (like Earth) to draw heat from. More radar shoots will be performed by the satellite at the North Martian Pole when it is in range. Maybe that will give us more details of the overall climate-driving forces that work there.

Is Martian life on ice?

Bill Jacobson,Burbank,CA — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 05:10:32 GMT

Mars is not an option. It is intuitive that it holds the answers to our own existence and the prevention of our extinction. It is far ahead of us in it's evolution. Mars has seen what we must know.

Is Martian life on ice?

Borneo — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 14:08:27 GMT

In case humans cause the death of planet Earth, then we will have to start making an underground world NOW on Mars that is if it is stable enough. We will also have to start building another Noah's ark, the spacecraft version. But then moon is nearer. Which is more livable ? Mars ? Europa ? Some other moons with some oxygen on it ? It is a mind blowing matter to imagine a catastrophe big enough to kill the whole human race, to imagine speed that is fast enough for everyone to get into Noah's Ark the spacecraft ( who get to go? ) and to imagine getting safely to whichever planet or moon that might be safe enough to ensure the survival of the human race. Somebody here made a very good point. Actually the whole universe and all that in it made up the same stuff. What we have on planet Earth will be the same on the other planets. Probably the chemistry changes as chemical react with another chemical to produce some other chemical. There was only one big Bang if you don't believe in God. There was only one spiritual creation if you believe in God. This means that whatever is here and out there comes from only one source. In many sci fi stories, there is one aspect film makers will include and that is spirituality. They don't call it spirituality. They call it by other names. It is still something that is spiritual. So you cannot dismiss spirituality all together. Personally I don't mind paying these planets and moons a visit. But staying there ? Well unless I have no other choice.

Is Martian life on ice?

Terry, Victoria, BC — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 14:30:09 GMT

If we can settle our petty differences on this miserable rock...why not go to another miserable rock? Hmmm...Maybe we can start greed, hate and wars on other worlds...yah...that's the answer. We're not ready to go next door for coffee let alone another planet. Just like humans to abandon one project (earth) and take on another without proper house keeping. Are we that arrogant? That being said, I really do envy future generations (once this world is in order) because they will see and be part of human evolution and our human journey to the stars. In the future it will be an amazing time to be alive, as our ancestors believed for us.

Is Martian life on ice?

newbreedusa, 89 Bowery, New York, NY. — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 15:09:59 GMT

Taken from www.extremescience.com -

The closest Mars opposition in thousands of years happened on August 27, 2003, when the planets passed within 56 million km (35 million miles) of each other. Really "close" oppositions generally happen once every 15 or 17 years. The next especially close Mars opposition will be in July of 2018. If you missed the 2003 opposition, you won't have to wait thousands of years for an even better view. Mars will have an opposition even closer than the 2003 event on August 28, 2287!

That would be a good time for a trip to Mars, right? Early adapters/adopters spend a great deal of time and an awful lot of money getting all excited and adopting on hype and competition. But small incremental changes that lead to large new experiences and discoveries possess strong foundations (solid history) that do not get broken. Just be patient. There's no need to rush. If we need to get off of spaceship Earth in order to survive we will. If we're able to heal the Earth and relax, and pace ourselves towards Mars, that would be well advised. Mars holds nothing new that the Earth cannot already or hasn't already told us.

Most families, brothers and sisters, live together for years and often teach each other nothing until later in life if ever. Aren't these other planets the brothers and sisters of the Earth? Haven't they all grown up together? When was the last time you learned anything from your biological sibling? Maybe you just turn to them when you need something too; money, a place to stay - but never for wisdom. And why not? If we are turning to Mars for wisdom I believe that outcome will be brilliant. If we turn to Mars out of desperation like the drunkin brother in jail that needs to be bailed out - calling a sibling late at night when there is no where left to turn, then we are lost...

John Lennon lyrics -

How can we go forward when we don't know which way we're facing?
How can we go forward when we don't know which way to turn?
How can we go forward into something we're not sure of?
Oh no, oh no

Is Martian life on ice?

Katie KC MO — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 16:48:54 GMT

I appreciate the visual descriptions used to convey what I see as extremely difficult concepts to imagine. New ways of seeing things takes me a lot of energy, concentration and an open mind. Sometimes it overwhelms me to think about this Universe, it's enormity, complexity and possibility of revealing why we are here in the first place. Let's not be so quick to judge.

Is Martian life on ice?

Tracy, Ontario, Canada — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 20:09:56 GMT

Hey, if God doesn't want us on Mars, God can let us know. Then God can expect we'll do and do it anyway, free will being what it is. I suppose one could argue that we don't stop loving children because they were born to push boundaries. But I'm no philosopher, I just want to believe mankind will never stop striving for meaningful things that are greater than themselves, things they do for the sake of mankind, be that wiping out poverty here, or finding life on another planet. In the tangle of human sentiment, it's likely that the courage and determination to do the latter is directly related to the guts it will take to resolve the former anyway.

I doubt people will argue with either pursuit. (I could be wrong.)

As for Mars, irrelevant as personal opinion is in the larger scheme of things, I hope someone does discover life. Apart from its representing a tremendous victory over the hard vacuum (go, underdog life!) it could potentially have the impact of broadening and opening minds here on earth.

There are too many closed minds here on earth. Maybe a scrap or two of DNA from another world might remind us how much we have to learn. Which, in turn, reminds me exactly how idealistic I am. Still, where there's life, there's hope, no?

Elizabeth, I sure see your point regarding Mars as a catalyst for settling the Moon. One thing of note, though, is that the record of America's 'discovery' looks vastly different from the other side. There's no one to disturb on Mars. But we should still be mindful of our past (ongoing) mistakes. Thanks!

Is Martian life on ice?

Kilamanjaro — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 21:20:04 GMT

You quote:

"...Those ice layers go down as far as 2.3 miles (3.7 kilometers) beneath the surface - and are topped by a mixture of ice and dust that may be only a yard (meter) or so thick."

Outside of Hell's Canyon (North America's deepest river gorge), which was carved by and still cradles the great Snake River on the Idaho-Oregon border ( 8,000+ feet below snowcapped He Devil Peak of Idaho's Seven Devils Mountains, 'n deeper than the Grand Canyon), the deepest canyon we've yet come across in the solar system is Valles Marineris on Mars (it's approx. 3,000 miles long [it would stretch from New York to L.A. and then some]) and is some 5 MILES deep (8 kilometers).

That's way deeper than the distances reported in your blog and naturally leads me to wonder if is water FLOWING down at the bottom of Valles Marineris? If so, might there be some sort of active ecosystem down there?

And as far as you know, especially with the re-confirmation of polar water on the scale observed, does NASA have any plans to build/send a probe of some special sorts down thataways?

Returning to an earlier theme of mine, why all the (as I see it) macho macho about EITHER going to the Moon OR Mars? As long as the assumptions about interplanetary travel within the solar system are presumed on leaving from a planet-bound perspective we're going to get the same tired answers (as well as super long horizons and totally unpredictable budgets).

Why not build on what we know, have done, are doing, and could do a whole lot better - which is combining robotic explorers and orbital habitats? Partition the problem: in terms of realizing the orbital habitat get constructioneeers to build extensible habitat building habitats in Earth orbit (i.e. not an ISS design). Then stuff and staff them up, add a few braces of tele-operated robot explorers and propulsion units, and send them off - as they come off the construction line - to the Moon, Mars, Enceladus (well, eventually), and wherever.

When they arrive in Moon and Mars orbit the folks (us) live in orbit and tele-operate the robots (flying, crawling, and other) down on the surface. No more of that multi-minute dance jig waiting for the light-speed signal to get to Earth, be properly digested and evaluated, and then returned. Send the brains with the equipment but send only the equipment down the gravity well until the case, place, et al are good enough for a Green-To-Go (on MUCH better data and intelligence) for the two-legged folks.

Furthermore, if the habitat building habitats keep building habitats in Earth and/or Lunar orbit, they can keep sending habitat modules (and people and supplies) to the habtats in orbit around Mars and the Moon. It'd be great as well as useful for Mars and Moon landing astronauts to know that 911 call and rescue team was a few klicks above (and with accumulating resources) rather than a "Hail Mary" (did we bring, think of, be ready for anything impossible approach).

If we go why don't we go in a way that's budget sustainable, life survivable, and takes us there in numbers (diversity is a powerful survival move). Can't we combine the macho and initially costs-the-world "we gotta land" approach with the forerunning dense intelligence of orbital communities and robot explorers (of all kinds)?

Tell me it can't be so! Is NASA timid? Lacking creativity? Closed off to new ideas? Heck, even funding such efforts begs for new funding ideas (outside of the public tax purse) and I myself standing right here and now can think of a good few without raising a sweat. Let's get moving! Together!

Is Martian life on ice?

JC, Riverton, CT — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 13:24:53 GMT

Mars IS the other basket. Mankind need to put some of it's eggs there.

Is Martian life on ice?

Edwin Garcia, Philadelphia, PA — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 17:05:23 GMT

I think that if we find microbial life in the polar regions of Mars religion would have to change many of its teachings and doctrines to adapt to today's discovery. Life would be not only earth's gift but maybe is a gift to other places we never thought of.

My other question to this is wow would we ever live on Mars; ok we found water in Mars great, we found life in Mars great but we still have to wonder how to maintained a stable gravity strong enough so that water in liquid form doesn't escape into space.

Another question ... isn't Mars' internal core frozen. How are we ever going to start up its internal core so it has a magnetic field to help shield it from the Sun's deadly radiation?

What about a moon; Mars currently has 2 satellites or moons Phobos and Deimos. but not enough to help stable Mars own spin. All this is just in case we might just want to terraforming the planet.

I think that finding life out there gives proof enough that we might not be alone.

I believe we should keep healing our planet instead of killing it, I believe we should still keep traveling to other regions of space.

Is Martian life on ice?

Tyler Anderson, Fargo, North Dakota — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 19:30:23 GMT

I read all this talk about God, but didn't "God" give people free will and the power to explore? Therefore any science or new findings should be explored and persued. One can't honestly think that out of the BILLIONS of solar systems that this is the ONLY planet to have life on it or the ONLY one capable of life surviving... that's just naive and for people who are too afraid to think "out-side the box." Why not put humans to the ultimate test of adaptation? We've adapted to climates all over Earth, why not progress and adapt to other places?... if Mars, then let it be. It's not like its hurting or "Offending God" and if you don't care to live on Mars and "make God happy"... then stay here where overtime the resources will fail along with all the other simple minded people. Progress and search for a better good and have an open mind to the possiblilties out there! :)

Is Martian life on ice?

Frank Glover, Rochester NY — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 22:27:57 GMT

To John Saulsbury: Yes, we do need better propulsion. But if not chemical, it will be nuclear in one form or another (nuclear thermal, nuclear electric, possibly fusion, nuclear pulse, etc.), and you know what hue and cry happpens whenever someone brings up that particular 'N' word. If there were signifigant demonstrations regarding the well-shielded RTG fuel for Cassini and other deep space probes, what happens when we want to launch high-performance reactors?

To the 'why should humans go live there (Mars or elsewhere)' debate: Human history, arguably, has been *nothing but* migration. We appear to have originated in East Central Africa, yet look at the range and diversity of human habitation today. Why should it stop now? (And not all of it is from having mesed up some previous place...some humans *still* live in East Central Africa, and in the future, many will *still* live on Earth. Indeed, many of *us* don't live in the place we were born. I don't.) The reasons to move or migrate are many. So are the places to which one might go.

To the Moonbase vs. Mars and Robot vs. human exploration: This is not mutually exclusive, you know. What we really need nore than anything else, as an enabler to *any* big space plans, is cheaper, regular access to Low Earth Orbit. Do that, and (among otgher things) you can assemble, test and send out any deep space system you want, much more readily, cheaply, often, than you can today.

Unfortunately, NASA wants to go back to ballistic capsules, launched on expendable rockets again, rather than doing (and encouraging) real RLV development. Those (including myself) who fear etting too old before having a chance to see and possibly participate in biger efforts, need to do what they can to get around that barrier first.

As has often been quoted from Robert Heinlein, once you reach Earth orbit, you're halfway to anywhere...

As for what God may or may not want, if he has a problem, I suspect He'll let us know. I tend to agree with Shocker's "I gave you this solar system to work with, and you're doing virtually nothing." view.

Is Martian life on ice?

Jack Baum — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 02:06:58 GMT

If someone was dying of a terminal disease but still had a few years to live then why not allow that person to make an immediate one way trip to Mars. I certainly would volunteer to take th long journey and die there in the end. The information gathered on such a trip would be invaluable. For instance the long journey itself and the effects on th ehuman mind and body. Once there and with the proper protection from Mars Radiation, I could do experiments a robot can not. I'd go in a heartbeat if I knew I was terminally ill and never coming back. To be the first human to land on Mars then die there would be fantastic.

Is Martian life on ice?

David Russell — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 03:03:12 GMT

There is an easy solution to solving the radiation issue related to mars bound spacecraft that was mentioned earlier. They are working on a system that uses a circular maglev race track to spin a projectile up to escape velocity on the ground then launching it via a ramp. Very little could survive the g-forces of such a system - not even unhardened electronic devices. My idea would be to use this system to launch hundreds of solid metal rods, then use those same rods to form the radiation shield of the ship in question.

The single biggest impediment to space travel at this time is simply that most space organizations are designed primarily to provide governement funds to political districts. They are simply a form of welfare. Being efficent, effective, conducting good science, etc. are last on the list for these organizations. If you doubt me, do a very simple analysis of how much money has gone to NASA since the moon missions and look what you got for you dollars spent. Or you could just ask why the shuttle was not abandoned immediately after they realized it was a failure in its primary mission in the 1970's.

Sad really.

Is Martian life on ice?

mike, Boulder, Colorao — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 14:15:47 GMT

Who the hell cares! Another waste of money!

Is Martian life on ice?

Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:02:49 GMT

Cut the God baloney will ya!! If it was up to those wackjobs, there would be no space program!!

Is Martian life on ice?

Jory Brown, Puyallup WAshington — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:30:43 GMT

If we got the go to colonize Mars, I'd be one of many to instanly raise my hand to go. Bring the sun tan lotion. :)

Sure, Mars is barren, same with Antartica. The only real differences of the two is one is red with iron, ones white with ice. One has gravity, other has less gravity.

I am in a generation where it could be possible to go to Mars with manned exploration. I love science, and who honestly would leave this planet to explore in the vastness of space if capable. Religion is nice for the believers, but science drives us. We are human, it is in our blood. Stop holding us back and let us explore, we are going to go if you like it or not!

Is Martian life on ice?

Frank Glover, Rochester NY — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 21:03:28 GMT

Sending a single, terminal person to Mars (or almost anywhere else in space) is a *very* problematical issue. It's likely to take many months to arrive. Will they last that long?

What of the medication to keep them as comfortable and function as possible?

What of unexpected issues related to their health? (There will obviously be no doctor or nurse on a one-way mission, and medical telerobotics aren't practical with increasing speed of light delays. It's been done on Earth, with slight, but noticable lags when the comunications is through one or more geostationary satellites.)

Will they be able to maintain a muscle and bone maintaining exercise schedule enroute? Relatedly, will they still be able to carry out signifigant research on arrival? (In the case of Mars, most of it is likely to involve geological field work, with all the walking and climbing that implies.)

And in the end, how will his body be secured to minimize comtaminationg the area, biologically? No one will be there to bring back, or otherwise seal off his remains from the environment...

Understand, spending your last days somewhere outside the atmosphere isn't a bad idea, but making it part of exploration, is. That'll have to wait until commercial space flight is a common activity.

Is Martian life on ice?

Lea, Nowhere, Nowhere — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 21:09:29 GMT

Okay, so it will be nice when we get all of us up on mars, and then the aliens that lived there once want their planet back. There's a war of the worlds for ya.

Is Martian life on ice?

Lea — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 21:12:55 GMT

On the God thing, I would say that I believe in the guy =) but I mean people are right, he gave us the will to explore and be interested in science and I'm sure if he doesn't like something we're doing he'd stop us, so no wories guys. Just go as far as he'll let us.

Is Martian life on ice?

Michel, Galveston, Tx — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 04:46:29 GMT

Well, I hope we shall have soon inhabited stations on Mars and vegetations and maybe a big swimming pool, why not ?

Is Martian life on ice?

Raymond Blair, Oklahoma City, OK. — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 05:02:33 GMT

It is truly amazing, mans ability to discovere such things. But the cowardness of our space program has grown with the mass paranoia that surrounds this nation today. It seems that we have forgotten why we call people heroes. The risk they take and the sacrifices they make. I am a firm believer that we still have many heroes in this nation so let them come forward and let them be tests.

Stop delaying the inevitable. Let us have our fill of the exploration today. I know we have the technology and so does the rest of the worl. Just give them the fundings and the executive order and BAM we're on our way to Mars in the next few years. I mean cmon look how fast we got to Baghdad.

Is Martian life on ice?

Mark Forror, Fredericksburg, Virginia — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 23:32:03 GMT

As Ray Bradbury speculated in the Martian Chronicles, we may very well be the Martians. Not because we became the Martians after destroying our own planet, but we may have been the Martians all along. Martian micro-organisms may have seeded Earth's oceans via meterorites from Mars. The microscopic structures found in the so-called "Mars rock" bear an uncanny resemblance to known microfossils found on Earth. There is definitely enough liquid water on Mars to support life. However, there are several questions that need to be answered regarding life on Mars. First, did life EVER exist on Mars? If so, then life may still exist on Mars. Equally likely, Martian life forms survived far below the surface, where dust and rock shield their sensitive membranes from harmful UV and cosmic radiation. A second question is, did life develop, gain a weak foothold on Mars, then become extinct? If so, then life forms on Earth may be the direct successors to early Martian life. In addition, there probably will be a fossil record on Mars, even if they are microfossils. A third question remains: Is Mars simply a barren planet that could have supported life but never actually did? Until recently, most exobiologists were probably in this third category. But I think the more we know about Mars the more complex the planet's systems appear to be, perhaps increasing the likelihood of life developing. If life does exist on Mars, it would have to be very primitive, such as viruses, bacteria or at best single-celled plant or animal organisms. I can't see anything more complex than that surviving in such a harsh environment. So, I guess I would be not at all surprised if there was life on Mars, and I would be equally unsurprised if life did not exist there. Anyway, I think the moon is a good place to develop some of the basic technology, such as a second-generation landing craft and more durable space suits, etc. before we attempt to colonize Mars. But we must colonize Mars as a second step toward colonizing inhabitable planets orbiting other stars. If we do not learn how to do this, the human race will not survive.

Is Martian life on ice?

James Junior Rapid City South Dakota — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 03:34:47 GMT

How can humans heat up Mars to a livable temperature that supports plant and human life even if we can establish a breathable atmosphere on the planet? A 50% greater distance from the sun makes heating Mars nearly impossible, don't you think, unless we maintain a thick blanket of CO2 over the planet? That would mean creating a deep atmosphere out of mostly carbon dioxide to hold the heat in but with enough oxygen to support humans. Sounds difficult.

Is Martian life on ice?

jim D, Reno, NV — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 04:58:29 GMT

Lets send some cryogenic bacteria there....wait a few hundred thousand years for a new population to exist ;)Seriously, though, a few earth bugs roaming around, changing with the climate...would be interesting to see what results.

Is Martian life on ice?

Chuck, Thomaston, GA — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 13:12:29 GMT

I love all the space exploration and find it quite interesting. I want to continue to see things in the news about space exploration. I just don't beleive that there is life on other planets. I used to think to myself, "why would God create all of the other planets and systems if He didn't create life on other planets?" After I thought on that awhile it became very apparent to me that God created those other planets and systems to show how almighty He is. He didn't HAVE to create them. He just did to show us the beauty and majesty that comes from a personal relationship with Him. The skies were His canvas and He painted us a most-beautiful picture for us to enjoy as we live our lives here on the Earth. Explore away, but remember to give God the glory and respect He deserves for creating such an AWESOME thing for us to admire.

Is Martian life on ice?

M.Z Fort Polk La — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:29:01 GMT

Just a thought...could it just be...that we at one time came from Mars? ....maybe killing *our* planet there and finding refuge on this one *our * earth?billions of years ago?...

Is Martian life on ice?

austin harbor — Sat, 12 May 2007 16:45:53 GMT

Meko.....You just don't get it do you. Another brainwashed christian. It's called free will. YOu could make the same analogy that if God wanted us to fly then we would have been given wings! God is an alien, they are our creators, and in the next 50 years modern religion will be turned on it's head. We have only begun to touch the tip of what we will see in the next 50 years. It all starts with Mars. They have all of the anwsers to the toughest questions, most people will not like the anwsers.

Is Martian life on ice?

Jim Belcher, Mattoon, IL — Tue, 15 May 2007 03:22:23 GMT

There is another option for colonizing other planets that most people have overlooked. Why try to do something as expensive and draining as changing an entire planet when within the next century we will be able to construct or alter a life form that is tailor made for these environments? If a key doesn't fit in a lock you don't make a new lock from scratch, you just find and use the proper key.

Is Martian life on ice?

Harold Ruggless Des Moines IA — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 01:01:20 GMT

To the first post. How do you know God didnt put us there in the first place and we then moved here?

Is Martian life on ice?

Seth J. , Cape Coral, FL — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:16:13 GMT

Look people.....we could play the "what if" game concerning "god" all day long. Here's the point. There are those of us that believe going to mars (in person) and exploring is a great idea and would be an even greater adventure. The existence of that amount of water (frozen, slushy, or liquid) is an amazing find and holds the potential for so many possibilities. I agree that NASA needs to get off their behind and kick their plans into gear. There is NO REASON it should take 30 years to get a manned mission to mars! For those of you that are just on here to argue and say "We shouldn't go!" and "If god had wanted..." just let this idea roll off your back and move on about you business. The non-believers of the world don't hang out in front of your church on sunday and say "If god had wanted us to go to church, he would have made one for us." so leave the explorers of the universe to their own devices. To the scientists that made this discovery.... you guys are the ones that give dreams to future generations. I'm only in my 20's and I would absolutely love to flip on the T.V. one day and watch a news report about the first manned mission to mars.

Is Martian life on ice?

Handsome Rob, burlington, iowa — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 22:25:41 GMT

meko, it's like willy wonka said: "if god had intended us to walk, he wouldn't have invented roller skates."

Is Martian life on ice?

Mykljn palm Bay, FL — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:39:29 GMT

Its a shame it's out of print (even more so that so few people have read it) but the book "The High Road" by Ben Bova is all about the future of earth being tied to space exploration. He even accurately predicted the loss of the first space shuttle before it happened. But (assuming we do not blow ourselves to hell with wars in the upcoming years) if mankind is to progress, this planet cannot long support us. We need a vision like 'The High Road' to carry us forward. "A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?" Per aspera ad astra.

Is Martian life on ice?

Mark Cleveland — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:49:20 GMT

Mars having water means we only need fuel for a one way trip. Once we are there, on Mars, water will fuel our way back. Water is a fuel. The Germans proved this in WWII. The V2 Rocket and ME163 Rocket Fighter are excellent examples of waters use as a fuel. We need this technology to be admitted to and used in the immediate future. My own experiments and inventions prove water is easy to harness as a powerful fuel. It's clean burning too.

Is Martian life on ice?

Steven Louie, Tucson, Arizona — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:21:20 GMT

How, exactly, do scientists believe that O2 and H20 develop on certain planets? Besides the fact that O2 is an explosive gas, the concentration gradients necessary for life seem to fall into constrained parameters. In the past, this has been described by theoretical biologists such as Stuart Kauffman as being a relatively rare event, cosmologically.

If we now see two examples of water formation on planets within our own solar system, this would seem to up the ante for finding life (even sentient life) elsewhere. N'est pas?

Since the red planet is red, does that also suggest that there might be enough metallic content of elements such as iron to possibly lead to the development of hemoglobin and/or chlorophyl?

Fetch! Rover! Bravo! Curiosity!

Is Martian life on ice?

Janet Wolfbauer, Maumee, OH — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:35:02 GMT

I have wonder about Mars since I was a little girl. My dad and I use to sit outside at night and talk about space. We need to send more robots with more capability to Mars.