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Originally Posted by breadcatcher101
We at one time did have a program to reach Mars by the mid '80's. This was way back in the mid '60's. At the time it was all on paper of course and got cancelled due to budget cuts.
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If the Russians had beat us to the Moon, we'd probably have gone to Mars. Apollo has always annoyed me for that reason. One of mankind's greatest technological achievements, and it was nothing but a pissing contest with the Russians. We went, we won the race, and then we quit.
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Originally Posted by breadcatcher101
What has always concerned me was the fact that we have been very careful to prevent microbes from being introduced back to Earth yet until recently we have not done so in introducing Earth microbes elsewhere.
It is possible we have already killed some sort of life on Mars with earlier landings in this way.
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If I recall correctly, this was one line of thinking that went into the Viking landers. The scientists running tests for life were concerned that any microbes from Earth would throw off the results, so they were quite careful to eliminate them.
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Originally Posted by breadcatcher101
I feel the number one goal should be to get a replacement program for the shuttle and maintain it.
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I think NASA should be in the research and exploration business. NASA, using its government funding, should research and develop the technologies that are not viable in the commercial sphere. They should also run the exploration missions that private industry would not be willing to undertake. As new technologies and materials are developed, they could be licensed, sold, or given to private industries, and the private sector could take over running commercial launches and operations. Perhaps allow contractor companies that work with NASA first grab at new technology. For example, NASA says "Boeing, help us develop this new Hozenfartzen rocket engine, and you get a 5 year exclusive license once we release it". Have NASA build the space station, and then rent space on it for companies to do their own research. (That might be hard to do, what with all the international agreements involved.) If a company wants to develop a tourist industry, let them rent time at a docking port, and charge for oxygen, water, etc. Allow private industry a way to provide funds to maintain the station, and NASA can move on to their next project.