Boeing suggests Deep Space Gateway for Mars missions

[Alexa]

The Moon looks just like a huge empty rock. I don't think it's proper for any kind of training.

Nevertheless, I'm sure we will have some independent entrepreneur offering Moon's trips for those who can aford this kind of voyage.

 

[Overread]

The statesman said, "It'll take some time; we'll have to develop the technology."

???

Wouldn't surprise me if that quote got hacked out and taken out of context by whoever reported it.
Even if genuine in that context its not unrealistic. Technology has come on a huge way since the first lunar landings so they'd likely have to start from the ground up again to develop a new landing program. Plus I'm sure some of their earlier methods wouldn't pass modern safety checks or might prove to be unreliable after repeat testing.

 

[Lumens]

Nevertheless, I'm sure we will have some independent entrepreneur offering Moon's trips for those who can aford this kind of voyage.

Considering that people are willing to pay £50k to climb Everest, I have no doubt of this.

 

[Cathbad]

Wouldn't surprise me if that quote got hacked out and taken out of context by whoever reported it.

No, I saw it live.

Technology has come on a huge way since the first lunar landings so they'd likely have to start from the ground up again to develop a new landing program. Plus I'm sure some of their earlier methods wouldn't pass modern safety checks or might prove to be unreliable after repeat testing.

Most likely. It's just that the way he said it, it made one rethink poo-pooing the "fake moon landing" theories.

 

[REBerg]

NASA made a very strange statement 7 or 8 years ago, when they were talking about "going back" to the moon. The statesman said, "It'll take some time; we'll have to develop the technology."

???

Was the statesman winking when the statement was made?

 

[Cathbad]

I wish!

 

[Alexa]

Rumors said NASA will return on the Moon next year.

NASA Will Return to the Moon in Preparation for Human Mars Mission

 

[Parson]

Right now, the goal is to send astronauts on Mars in early 2030's, which means we all be alive to witness it.

Which puts me in my 80's, so... even if it's as early as this there's no guarantee that "we all" will be alive to witness it.

**Cool plan for a past the moon mission next year. I hadn't heard that yet.

 

[Cathbad]

I've decided I'm not leaving until we land people on Mars.

 

[Alexa]

Or witness some alien landing before.

 

[Brian G Turner]

And Boeing is one of five companies now given funding via NASA to help develop the Deep Space Gateway: Five firms aim to power moon-orbiting way station to deep space

 

[Parson]

As we slowly wind up the possibilities to make interplanetary travel possible. --- in my lifetime? dubious.

 

[LordOfWizards]

Reminds me of one of my favourites - "A Fall of Moondust" A.C. Clarke

 

[Lumens]

As we slowly wind up the possibilities to make interplanetary travel possible. --- in my lifetime? dubious.

It is absolutely possible, just very dangerous (and expensive). Probably the hardest thing we will have done, so far in history.

If you liken it to the first ancient explorers who set out to cross oceans, they never seemed to make it to Antarctica, for good reason. This is many times as hostile an environment as that. Still, I believe we can do it, if everything falls into place for it. In our lifetime.

I believe it will cost lives though. A certain percentage will most likely die from exposure to radiation and gamma rays. Probably in transit, but also on Mars itself. I don't know if this will be seen as acceptable by any company or government...

 

[Alexa]

Some didn't believe humans can land on the Moon either. That was 48 years ago.

 

[Parson]

Still, I believe we can do it, if everything falls into place for it. In our lifetime.

Dude, I'm old. My lifetime is likely not much more than 2 decades.

 

[Lumens]

Dude, I'm old. My lifetime is likely not much more than 2 decades.

Well, as I said - I believe it is possible, as do others. But only if we accept loss of life as part of the cost, and that is probably what will prevent it from actually happening. Probably for the best... Until we have a solution.

 

[Parson]

Well, as I said - I believe it is possible, as do others. But only if we accept loss of life as part of the cost, and that is probably what will prevent it from actually happening. Probably for the best... Until we have a solution.

I would agree. The question is "Will we have a solution to the radiation problem that doesn't destroy any potential for a trip of under 3 years.

 

[Cathbad]

Well, as I said - I believe it is possible, as do others. But only if we accept loss of life as part of the cost, and that is probably what will prevent it from actually happening. Probably for the best... Until we have a solution.

Why would that prevent it? You really think corporations would care?

 

[mosaix]

Well, as I said - I believe it is possible, as do others. But only if we accept loss of life as part of the cost, and that is probably what will prevent it from actually happening. Probably for the best... Until we have a solution.

We already accept loss of life as part of space exploration. The Apollo missions, the shuttle program and similar Russian projects saw astronaughts die. I may be wrong but I don’t recall any of those tragedies raise a discussion to abandon space exploration rather efforts to examine what went wrong and fix it.