In order to find life on mars, probes must dig well below the surface. Basically what this article says is that there is a chance that we could find life on Mars but our current Mars probes don't have the capabilities of getting deep enough to find the the evidence of life. Supposedly the best place to look for life would be in the ice crater Elysium because the ice is relatively new and has less radiation affects. Who knows maybe in a few years we will have the technology to find life on Mars...although this requires a lot more money for the space programs. Money that space programs are having a hard time of getting.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Mars mission clears hurdle
Phoenix project proceeds despite cost overruns
Nasa's Colorado built Phoenix mission to Mars survived a "termination review" in Washington, D.C., on Friday and gained approval to proceed toward an August launch despite cost overruns. The original budget was supposed to be capped at $386 million, but an additional $10-15 million is likely going to be needed. the three-legged Phoenix lander will carry new versions of science instruments destroyed when the Mars Polar Lander, crashed while landing in late 1999. The Phoenix cost overruns were partly caused by problems with the craft's radar altimeter. Which gauges velocity and altitude.
Nasa's Colorado built Phoenix mission to Mars survived a "termination review" in Washington, D.C., on Friday and gained approval to proceed toward an August launch despite cost overruns. The original budget was supposed to be capped at $386 million, but an additional $10-15 million is likely going to be needed. the three-legged Phoenix lander will carry new versions of science instruments destroyed when the Mars Polar Lander, crashed while landing in late 1999. The Phoenix cost overruns were partly caused by problems with the craft's radar altimeter. Which gauges velocity and altitude.
Close Up of Mars
Astronomers are planning a close up of Mars from a balloon.
The chances of success are slim due to the stability of the balloon on Mars and dwindling funds for Mars Exploration. Our friend Zubrin though "thinks the German craft has the best immediate promise of the Mars balloon projects in the works. Dr. Zubrin sees the craft as a trailblazer for more elaborate, longer-lived future balloons, much as NASA's 1997 Sojourner rover paved the way for Spirit and Opportunity."
The chances of success are slim due to the stability of the balloon on Mars and dwindling funds for Mars Exploration. Our friend Zubrin though "thinks the German craft has the best immediate promise of the Mars balloon projects in the works. Dr. Zubrin sees the craft as a trailblazer for more elaborate, longer-lived future balloons, much as NASA's 1997 Sojourner rover paved the way for Spirit and Opportunity."
Close Up of Mars
Astronomers are planning a close up of Mars from a balloon.
The chances of success are slim due to the stability of the balloon on Mars and dwindling funds for Mars Exploration. Our friend Zubrin though "thinks the German craft has the best immediate promise of the Mars balloon projects in the works. Dr. Zubrin sees the craft as a trailblazer for more elaborate, longer-lived future balloons, much as NASA's 1997 Sojourner rover paved the way for Spirit and Opportunity."
The chances of success are slim due to the stability of the balloon on Mars and dwindling funds for Mars Exploration. Our friend Zubrin though "thinks the German craft has the best immediate promise of the Mars balloon projects in the works. Dr. Zubrin sees the craft as a trailblazer for more elaborate, longer-lived future balloons, much as NASA's 1997 Sojourner rover paved the way for Spirit and Opportunity."
Selling Mars
Selling Mars
SO, if Bush gets the okay then do you think that getting the backing to finance this project will really occur? This article discusses coupling with another country to combine forces to increase monetary funds along with, establishing a developing a Planetary Society where individuals donate money to support space exploration...how much money do they think will get donated-and will that money really make a difference?
SO, if Bush gets the okay then do you think that getting the backing to finance this project will really occur? This article discusses coupling with another country to combine forces to increase monetary funds along with, establishing a developing a Planetary Society where individuals donate money to support space exploration...how much money do they think will get donated-and will that money really make a difference?
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Mars: open for business?
Mars: open for business?
Is Mars really open for business, or will it remain a difficult, mocking utopia, rich in resources and land but too hard to travel to or live on? Most of us already know the rocky history of unmanned Mars exploration and it has not been very inspiring for those of us looking to send people there someday soon. If a rough road leads to the stars, Mars is a good example of how rough that road really is, with only 14 out of 35 missions to date a success. It is a planet that seems to hold many of the elements we need for a long-term human presence but, after five decades of unmanned missions, it still seems a bridge too far. Despite all this, a case can still be made for why the private sector should consider Mars.
Is Mars really open for business, or will it remain a difficult, mocking utopia, rich in resources and land but too hard to travel to or live on? Most of us already know the rocky history of unmanned Mars exploration and it has not been very inspiring for those of us looking to send people there someday soon. If a rough road leads to the stars, Mars is a good example of how rough that road really is, with only 14 out of 35 missions to date a success. It is a planet that seems to hold many of the elements we need for a long-term human presence but, after five decades of unmanned missions, it still seems a bridge too far. Despite all this, a case can still be made for why the private sector should consider Mars.
Space Tourism Is Already Big Business
http://www.cnn.com/2006/TECH/space/09/25/fsmotion.spacetourism/index.html
Richard Branson's company Virgin Galatic has already sold 100 seats on their "SpaceShipTwo" aircraft. Each seat, priced at $200,000, allows riders a chance to fly over 100Km into the atmosphere.
Richard Branson's company Virgin Galatic has already sold 100 seats on their "SpaceShipTwo" aircraft. Each seat, priced at $200,000, allows riders a chance to fly over 100Km into the atmosphere.
The Final Frontier
Mark Homnick from Cambridge, Mass, plans to put life on Mars.
Not only does he plan to get life to Mars he believes it will happen before the year 2025. Homnick's 4Frontiers company is specifically working on "building housing, life-support and industrial systems that could sustain life on the red planet." He is confident he can accomplish this within next 30 yrs. Homnick understands that his ideas may seem a little lofty but in cooperation with the Mars Foundation they have "assembled a team of experts in the area of robotics, engineering and computers who features several software developers and IT consultants." Mars here we come!
Not only does he plan to get life to Mars he believes it will happen before the year 2025. Homnick's 4Frontiers company is specifically working on "building housing, life-support and industrial systems that could sustain life on the red planet." He is confident he can accomplish this within next 30 yrs. Homnick understands that his ideas may seem a little lofty but in cooperation with the Mars Foundation they have "assembled a team of experts in the area of robotics, engineering and computers who features several software developers and IT consultants." Mars here we come!
Monday, January 29, 2007
Mars Chip to Test for Life Signs
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5072668.stm
The life-maker chip, developed for use in the European ExoMars Mission in 2011 will drill out soil samples to test for specific molecules associated with life. This endeavour was recently awarded and extra 500,000 pounds for research the development purposes to go on top of the existing 1.2 Million pounds that has already been used to develop key instrumentation and technologies for the mission. All in all the life-chip maker should weight no more than 800 grams very similar to the weight of a mobile phone.
The life-maker chip, developed for use in the European ExoMars Mission in 2011 will drill out soil samples to test for specific molecules associated with life. This endeavour was recently awarded and extra 500,000 pounds for research the development purposes to go on top of the existing 1.2 Million pounds that has already been used to develop key instrumentation and technologies for the mission. All in all the life-chip maker should weight no more than 800 grams very similar to the weight of a mobile phone.
Volunteers try out life on 'Mars'
Try out life on Mars
In Utah people are already preparing to make a trip to Mars. They are being put in situations where they will have to melt ice to make drinking water, and wear space suits so they don’t go numb. These individuals are adults, so I don’t see why they are having them pretend they will take this trip when since we are not going to Mars anytime soon….
In Utah people are already preparing to make a trip to Mars. They are being put in situations where they will have to melt ice to make drinking water, and wear space suits so they don’t go numb. These individuals are adults, so I don’t see why they are having them pretend they will take this trip when since we are not going to Mars anytime soon….
Life On Mars??? Assignment
The main topic of the two websites I looked at appeared to be very interested in whether or not there is or was life on the planet Mars. I found an article on the the Enterprise Mission website that brought up a possible conspiracy theory about proof of previous life on Mars through fossils.
This article was written by Richard Hoagland, a well known name in the field of
Mars exploration. However it's safe to say that he isn't known for all the right reasons. Hoagland has made some bold claims in his time that he believes to be completely 100% true. He is the one who claims that the formation of the land on Mars that looks like a face is not a nature made product. Also he believes that there is a pyramid that was built by martians that will have amazing things and information inside. In this article he claims that we have discovered fossil like features on Mars, and in an attempt to cover up that there is life out there we destroyed them. He also disagrees about the color of the so called martian blueberries.
On the Mars Society website I found a large number of articles that all in some way related to Mars. It was interesting to me that at the top of the site they had the purpose of the Mars Society written out. I figured that its purpose was pretty self-explanitory. I looked at an article from USNews.com with Zubrin which was pretty interesting. In the article he exlpains why Mars is better for colonizing than the moom. He brings up an interesting comparison with when we first discovered America and Greenland. Although America was farther it had better resources to live than Greenland. Same with Mars, we have everything we need to create air and water on the red planet.
Overall I thought both of the sites were interesting and brought different ideas to the table. From the sounds of the people running these sites living on Mars is not a question of if, but rather when.
This article was written by Richard Hoagland, a well known name in the field of
Mars exploration. However it's safe to say that he isn't known for all the right reasons. Hoagland has made some bold claims in his time that he believes to be completely 100% true. He is the one who claims that the formation of the land on Mars that looks like a face is not a nature made product. Also he believes that there is a pyramid that was built by martians that will have amazing things and information inside. In this article he claims that we have discovered fossil like features on Mars, and in an attempt to cover up that there is life out there we destroyed them. He also disagrees about the color of the so called martian blueberries.
On the Mars Society website I found a large number of articles that all in some way related to Mars. It was interesting to me that at the top of the site they had the purpose of the Mars Society written out. I figured that its purpose was pretty self-explanitory. I looked at an article from USNews.com with Zubrin which was pretty interesting. In the article he exlpains why Mars is better for colonizing than the moom. He brings up an interesting comparison with when we first discovered America and Greenland. Although America was farther it had better resources to live than Greenland. Same with Mars, we have everything we need to create air and water on the red planet.
Overall I thought both of the sites were interesting and brought different ideas to the table. From the sounds of the people running these sites living on Mars is not a question of if, but rather when.
Frozen sea may harbour Mars life
A frozen sea is one of the most likely places to find life on Mars.
As we continue to search for extraterrestrial life, one of the best places to search would be in the frozen seas of Mars. It will be important to dig down a ways as radiation will have likely killed off microbes in the first few meters. Once some form of life is found outside of Earth there will be even greater amounts of money pumped into space exploration.
As we continue to search for extraterrestrial life, one of the best places to search would be in the frozen seas of Mars. It will be important to dig down a ways as radiation will have likely killed off microbes in the first few meters. Once some form of life is found outside of Earth there will be even greater amounts of money pumped into space exploration.
Incorrect Software dooms Mars Global Surveyor?
NASA is looking into whether improper software might have brought the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft to its most likely indefinite silence.
There are several reasons for the spacecraft's silence. It could have been the short cuts taken to save costs such as not spending enough for the proper software needed for its extended space travel. Other reasons are also overheating and loss of battery power. All of which won't can't be explained without recovery of the vehicle. Technology which is a staple in the business world becomes even more valuable when it it involves space travel.
There are several reasons for the spacecraft's silence. It could have been the short cuts taken to save costs such as not spending enough for the proper software needed for its extended space travel. Other reasons are also overheating and loss of battery power. All of which won't can't be explained without recovery of the vehicle. Technology which is a staple in the business world becomes even more valuable when it it involves space travel.
NASA provides University Grant For New Mars Spacesuit Research
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12595508/
NASA has provided 5 mid-western universities with funding to test out a new Mars space suit design. I'm interested in how long until a market develops for private companies to begin to work on these design considerations.
NASA has provided 5 mid-western universities with funding to test out a new Mars space suit design. I'm interested in how long until a market develops for private companies to begin to work on these design considerations.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Mars may hold massive reservoirs of water, CO2
Knowing more about the martian surface could help determine if the planet is suitable for any human development.
Mars may have water beneath its surface, so carrying heavy water out there may not be needed, saving money and cargo space.
Mars may have water beneath its surface, so carrying heavy water out there may not be needed, saving money and cargo space.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Mars' Missing Air Might Just be Hiding
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/070125_mars_atmosphere.html
Some scientists now believe that the atmosphere on Mars may not have been blown away by the Sun's Solar winds as previously believed, but that the air might be hidden underneath the martian surface. So now the question is how can this theory be proved and if it proves true how do we access the atmosphere? Watch this space...
Some scientists now believe that the atmosphere on Mars may not have been blown away by the Sun's Solar winds as previously believed, but that the air might be hidden underneath the martian surface. So now the question is how can this theory be proved and if it proves true how do we access the atmosphere? Watch this space...
Friday, January 26, 2007
European's Test Ideal Personality for Mars Exploration
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=19754
A French-Italian Crew from the European Space Agency took up residence at the Concorde Space Station high up on the Antarctic Plateau to conduct a study on the types of personalities that would best fit a mission to Mars. The isolated position and relatively small living quarters will effectively simulate the conditions inherent in voyage to Mars. The crew members will be stationed in the anarctic without contact for a year during which they have been asked to record there personal and collaborative reactions to the simulation.
A French-Italian Crew from the European Space Agency took up residence at the Concorde Space Station high up on the Antarctic Plateau to conduct a study on the types of personalities that would best fit a mission to Mars. The isolated position and relatively small living quarters will effectively simulate the conditions inherent in voyage to Mars. The crew members will be stationed in the anarctic without contact for a year during which they have been asked to record there personal and collaborative reactions to the simulation.
NASA Decides That A Software Error Doomed The Mars Global Surveyor Spacecraft
NASA's John McNamee, Mars Exploration Program addressed the issue of the recent failure of the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft. Apparently, incorrect software doomed the spacecraft. http://www.marstoday.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1185
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Mars Born Infections Harmful to Humans and Livestock
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/missions/mars_contamination_010404.html
In April 2001, discussions regarding the retrieval of samples from Mars brought forth several precautionary notions one of which was the possibility of any harmful or even deadly extraterrestrial viruses or bacteria associated with a Mars sample. On the off chance that one or more of these Martian viruses were introduced to Earth's bio-sphere, disease could spread rapidly through humans or livestock which could ultimately take many lives and devastate our worlds economies. The notion of extra-terrestrial viruses was issued as a result of the recent problems associated with mad cow and foot and mouth diseases and should a martian bread epidemic ensue as a result of a planetary sample, the repercussions could be far worse.
In April 2001, discussions regarding the retrieval of samples from Mars brought forth several precautionary notions one of which was the possibility of any harmful or even deadly extraterrestrial viruses or bacteria associated with a Mars sample. On the off chance that one or more of these Martian viruses were introduced to Earth's bio-sphere, disease could spread rapidly through humans or livestock which could ultimately take many lives and devastate our worlds economies. The notion of extra-terrestrial viruses was issued as a result of the recent problems associated with mad cow and foot and mouth diseases and should a martian bread epidemic ensue as a result of a planetary sample, the repercussions could be far worse.
Entrepreneurship - New Company Launches With Aim of Colonizing Mars
Hooray for the settlement of Mars. While the feat is still technically (almost) impossible, companies are starting to sprout up to be prepared to settle mars as soon as possible. This article, about a company called 4Frontiers that is prepared to begin the colonization as soon as technologically possible.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
The Mars Curse
Is there a curse on Mars?
Scientists are beginning to think there is a curse for those who are trying to reach Mars. Only 18/37 spacecrafts, of all countries, have been successful in reaching Mars. Again the competition is evident that the first to conquer Mars is the winner. They will then have first mover advantages.
Scientists are beginning to think there is a curse for those who are trying to reach Mars. Only 18/37 spacecrafts, of all countries, have been successful in reaching Mars. Again the competition is evident that the first to conquer Mars is the winner. They will then have first mover advantages.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Cashing in on Mars
Cashing in on Mars
To land humans on the Red Planet, NASA will need new equipment, fresh thinking, and advanced technology. These companies are preparing for mankind's next giant leap.
(Business 2.0 Magazine) - Attention, people of Earth: We are going to Mars. This is no sci-fi fantasy; for the past two years, NASA has been gearing up to meet the Bush administration's goal of landing humans on Mars by around 2030. The agency plans to set up a base on the Moon by 2020 to act as a staging area; that effort alone is projected to cost at least $104 billion. Throw in the round-trip voyage to Mars, and John Edwards, space systems analyst at Forecast International, estimates that the total cost of the program will top $400 billion--making it history's largest government-backed science project.
To land humans on the Red Planet, NASA will need new equipment, fresh thinking, and advanced technology. These companies are preparing for mankind's next giant leap.
(Business 2.0 Magazine) - Attention, people of Earth: We are going to Mars. This is no sci-fi fantasy; for the past two years, NASA has been gearing up to meet the Bush administration's goal of landing humans on Mars by around 2030. The agency plans to set up a base on the Moon by 2020 to act as a staging area; that effort alone is projected to cost at least $104 billion. Throw in the round-trip voyage to Mars, and John Edwards, space systems analyst at Forecast International, estimates that the total cost of the program will top $400 billion--making it history's largest government-backed science project.
Mars rovers hit three-year anniversary
Mars Rovers Still Exploring
Suprisingly after three years the Mars rovers are still up and running.
Suprisingly after three years the Mars rovers are still up and running.
Back to the Moon! But Why?
Back to the Moon! But Why?
Currently in our state, the science and technology has allowed us to traveled to space and even allowed people whom pay enough to as well. We have also journeyed to the moon, collected data to study, and have more information that most individuals have a hard time reading (much less fully comprehending). Why are we still paying so much money on areas we know so much about rather than putting that money towards increasing our knowledge of the unknown?
Currently in our state, the science and technology has allowed us to traveled to space and even allowed people whom pay enough to as well. We have also journeyed to the moon, collected data to study, and have more information that most individuals have a hard time reading (much less fully comprehending). Why are we still paying so much money on areas we know so much about rather than putting that money towards increasing our knowledge of the unknown?
Coalition for Space Exploration Names New Leadership
Coalition for Space Exploration Names New Leadership
The Coalition for Space Exploration announced its new chairman today, Joe Mayer. This organization is dedicated to spreading awareness of space exploration and the opportunities for commercial businesses in space.
Joe Mayer has experience in communications, government, and aerospace as well as his involvement with the coalition for the past 3 years. Mayer is quoted as saying, "Robotic and space science missions are charting a pathway for future exploration and new discoveries, and opportunities for commercial space business are expanding."
A link to the organization's web page is included in the article for further information on their work.
The Coalition for Space Exploration announced its new chairman today, Joe Mayer. This organization is dedicated to spreading awareness of space exploration and the opportunities for commercial businesses in space.
Joe Mayer has experience in communications, government, and aerospace as well as his involvement with the coalition for the past 3 years. Mayer is quoted as saying, "Robotic and space science missions are charting a pathway for future exploration and new discoveries, and opportunities for commercial space business are expanding."
A link to the organization's web page is included in the article for further information on their work.
Google Earth Now Google Mars
Google Earth Now Google Mars
In a desire to bring the feeling of Mars to a wider audience NASA and Google have partnered together to make the visit to Mars more realistic. "The collaboration may also allow the public to track space shuttle flights or the International Space Station in real time." The joining of NASA and Google will allow people not on Mars to have a real Martian like experience. Specific terms of the agreement have not yet been decided upon, but the program and push to inhibit Mars is "open for business."
In a desire to bring the feeling of Mars to a wider audience NASA and Google have partnered together to make the visit to Mars more realistic. "The collaboration may also allow the public to track space shuttle flights or the International Space Station in real time." The joining of NASA and Google will allow people not on Mars to have a real Martian like experience. Specific terms of the agreement have not yet been decided upon, but the program and push to inhibit Mars is "open for business."
Monday, January 22, 2007
Europe Faces Crunch Decision Over Mars Rover Mission
http://www.marsdaily.com/reports/Europe_Faces_Crunch_Decision_Over_Mars_Rover_Mission_999.html
Getting to Mars isn't just about the right technology, or the right people, what it is about is funding. The European Space agency is thinking about cutting back on its planned unmanned mission to Mars, called ExoMars, which was origionally planned for 2011. The current rover is too heavy for the Russian launcher that ESA origionally planned to use, either they have to change the rover or get another launcher which will cost more money and time. In 2005 the ESA put aside 650 million Euros or 838 million dollars for this program, it doesn't look like the ESA is going to hold to this budget or the original 2011 date. There has got to be a better way to finance these missions than the government.
Getting to Mars isn't just about the right technology, or the right people, what it is about is funding. The European Space agency is thinking about cutting back on its planned unmanned mission to Mars, called ExoMars, which was origionally planned for 2011. The current rover is too heavy for the Russian launcher that ESA origionally planned to use, either they have to change the rover or get another launcher which will cost more money and time. In 2005 the ESA put aside 650 million Euros or 838 million dollars for this program, it doesn't look like the ESA is going to hold to this budget or the original 2011 date. There has got to be a better way to finance these missions than the government.
Projected 2011 Mars Mission Heavy on Pocketbook
http://www.space.com/news/070110_nasa_marsmissions.html
NASA recently released its proposal for an unmanned mission to Mars set to take place by the year 2011. The mission will address the issue of Mars' climate and habitability, and improve our understanding of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere of the red planet. This groundbreaking mission will not come cheap as costs have been estimated at $475 million, $2 million of which will be spent refining concepts in order to appropriately select the mission type.
NASA recently released its proposal for an unmanned mission to Mars set to take place by the year 2011. The mission will address the issue of Mars' climate and habitability, and improve our understanding of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere of the red planet. This groundbreaking mission will not come cheap as costs have been estimated at $475 million, $2 million of which will be spent refining concepts in order to appropriately select the mission type.
Will there be business on Mars?
"There are many nations and possible competitors to think about in the effort to make Mars viable, and, like with any business venture, if the competition gets there first, they can easily corner the market."
Statford believes that one company needs to take the initiative to head a push to Mars. He believes that by the time we get there the costs of attempting to man Mars will be relatively inexpensive. I disagree. I don't think one company should solely push to home Mars but a combination of companies and NASA experts working together to make the most well adjusted move.
Statford believes that one company needs to take the initiative to head a push to Mars. He believes that by the time we get there the costs of attempting to man Mars will be relatively inexpensive. I disagree. I don't think one company should solely push to home Mars but a combination of companies and NASA experts working together to make the most well adjusted move.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
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