Orion first test flight was perfect!

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by razark

Apollo spacecraft first flight: 1966
Apollo flight around moon: 1968
Two lunar landings: 1969


Orion first flight: 2014
Orion first manned flight: Sometime beyond 2020

That's easy

the 60's was due to race between USA and Russia
And JFK famous speak about putting a man on the moon before the end of the decade

Now there's no race and a trip to Mars is far more.... than a trip to the moon is.

They have to establish some kind of base on Mars before the astronaut arrive a.s.o

That what I think.

Markus

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by mapuc

That's easy

the 60's was due to race between USA and Russia
And JFK famous speak about putting a man on the moon before the end of the decade

Now there's no race and a trip to Mars is far more.... than a trip to the moon is.

They have to establish some kind of base on Mars before the astronaut arrive a.s.o

That what I think.

Markus

Or just drop all the equipment to build a base and the machinery to do it with, most of it can and will be automated anyway.
Besides, the first visit to Mars will be just like the first one to the Moon, one small step, one giant flag and then back home to Earth with some Mars rock and a lifetime of fame ahead of them.
After that will come the colonies...and boy, is that going to be an exciting and interesting time for humanity. Both scientifically and morally, lots of questions to be answered in the future, about our place in the solar system, about the control of Mars and the resources upon it, about artificial intelligence and the future of mankind.

If you get a chance, read Kim Stanley Robinsons 'Mars' trilogy...and perhaps, watch this video:
http://vimeo.com/108650530

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Or just drop all the equipment to build a base and the machinery to do it with, most of it can and will be automated anyway.
Besides, the first visit to Mars will be just like the first one to the Moon, one small step, one giant flag and then back home to Earth with some Mars rock and a lifetime of fame ahead of them.
After that will come the colonies...and boy, is that going to be an exciting and interesting time for humanity. Both scientifically and morally, lots of questions to be answered in the future, about our place in the solar system, about the control of Mars and the resources upon it, about artificial intelligence and the future of mankind.

If you get a chance, read Kim Stanley Robinsons 'Mars' trilogy...and perhaps, watch this video:
http://vimeo.com/108650530

I seem to recall that these astronaut can't return at once, if I'm not remembering wrong they have to stay on Mars for some month or so

Markus

[razark]

Originally Posted by mapuc

I seem to recall that these astronaut can't return at once, if I'm not remembering wrong they have to stay on Mars for some month or so

They can return at once, but it's not efficient. Making a short trip means they would be departing for Earth at a poor time, meaning more energy needed to return, and more time spent in transit. The first Mars mission needs to plan to hang out for a while before the return trip. (Or not return. One of the proposed models is Mars To Stay, where the first travelers go on long term colonization missions, and we just keep sending them supplies and more colonists.)

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by razark

They can return at once, but it's not efficient. Making a short trip means they would be departing for Earth at a poor time, meaning more energy needed to return, and more time spent in transit. The first Mars mission needs to plan to hang out for a while before the return trip. (Or not return. One of the proposed models is Mars To Stay, where the first travelers go on long term colonization missions, and we just keep sending them supplies and more colonists.)

Good point, I'd forgotten about that bit. Still, could send the equipment ahead, could even feasibly have the majority of it built before the first people get there, using clever design and robotic/automated vehicles.

[Otto Harkaman]

Send drones not people!

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Otto Harkaman

The worst place on Earth would be a paradise to anyplace on Mars.

Send drones not people!

At the moment, but we're not going to Mars for the now, we're going for the next.

[razark]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Good point, I'd forgotten about that bit. Still, could send the equipment ahead, could even feasibly have the majority of it built before the first people get there, using clever design and robotic/automated vehicles.

Sending the equipment ahead of time is a great idea. I liked Robert Zubrin's idea of sending not only the supplies, but the return vehicle and an in situ fuel production system. The idea is to not commit to sending people until you know the supplies and return trip are ready.

Originally Posted by Otto Harkaman

The worst place on Earth would be a paradise to anyplace on Mars.

Send drones not people!