Perseverance - the hunt for life on mars

[BigAl52]

Tang man I remember that stuff well. It was a popular drink while the space program was in full swing.

[GunnyGene]

I don't mean to be a downer. But, why spend money searching for things hundreds of thousands of miles away when people here are suffering? Could not that money (or debt) be used to help people here (that we know are alive)? I am not proposing a welfare system: maybe a skill training program (electrician, plumber, computer repair, auto mechanic, etc.). It just seem like a more productive way to spend money. If another planet is found suitable, will everyone on earth be eligible for a trip in outer space? What would be the next step or phase? Maybe, I am missing something?

Ventures like this create 10's of thousands of well paying careers in many areas. Somebody has to design and build everything that it takes to put a rover on Mars. NASA is only part of it (they're the customer), and they pay the contractors that provide the nuts and bolts, sheet metal, electronics, software, design, machinery, testing, and on and on. The list is almost endless. I worked for Boeing Commercial for 15 years, and I can verify that it takes in the vicinity of 25,000 people just to assemble 777's and other wide body jet liners in just one plant. Counting all the suppliers employees around the world probably well over 100,000 people are involved in it directly and indirectly.

So, the end goal in creating a product that goes hundreds of thousands of miles is to take samples? To what end? The 100,000 people is a start. But, there is about 7,000,000,000 people on this planet. So, some are missing out of the tax dollars being spent to take samples. But, it is what it is.

Look, I know that people criticize this kind of thing all the time since forever. I'd bet that somebody complained about black powder not being worthwhile because bows & arrows. You have a right to your opinion, but I'm not going to indulge in an argument about it.

[Grunt67]

Many of the things that you use today, or affect you in other ways, were created as a by product of the space program.
The computer for one, most of the high tech gadgets in your vehicle, home. List goes on & on.
It is what it is.

[GFK]

I am sorry. I was not trying to criticize. I was trying to make sense of it. It just seems like there is a great need here. Just wondering why neglect those in need for an unknown. There is typically two sides to a story. Just trying to understand different side.

[GunnyGene]

I am sorry. I was not trying to criticize. I was trying to make sense of it. It just seems like there is a great need here. Just wondering why neglect those in need for an unknown. There is typically two sides to a story. Just trying to understand different side.

Ok. A better comparison would be Columbus' problems getting funded for an expedition to find a shorter route to India (and bring back some samples). Everyone at the time thought he was nuts and would fall off the edge. But when he came back his critics were more than happy to exploit the new found source of wealth and power. And here we are now.

This trip to Mars and the ones that preceded it to the moon are no different. Exploration is always risky and expensive, but it generally pays off very well.

[RanchRoper]

And don't forget the most important reason...."Space...the final frontier...(insert heroic Capt Kirk theme here)...."

[BigAl52]

Beam me up Scotty

[GunnyGene]

And don't forget the most important reason...."Space...the final frontier...(insert heroic Capt Kirk theme here)...."

I doubt that Space is the final frontier.

[BigAl52]

Im sure you are right Gene cause there is a whole lot of space creatures that have already invaded the earth

[GFK]

I am sorry. I was not trying to criticize. I was trying to make sense of it. It just seems like there is a great need here. Just wondering why neglect those in need for an unknown. There is typically two sides to a story. Just trying to understand different side.

Ok. A better comparison would be Columbus' problems getting funded for an expedition to find a shorter route to India (and bring back some samples). Everyone at the time thought he was nuts and would fall off the edge. But when he came back his critics were more than happy to exploit the new found source of wealth and power. And here we are now.

This trip to Mars and the ones that preceded it to the moon are no different. Exploration is always risky and expensive, but it generally pays off very well.

Now, the quest for more land does make more sense. With 7,000,000,000 people and growing (not including animals), something has to give. Thanks!