The U.S. Mission To Mars
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-07-30/us-mission-mars
Not long ago the idea of Earthlings visiting Mars was confined to the realm of fiction. But scientists say NASA's current mission to Mars could bring us closer to making such a visit a reality. The Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft was launched last November. The detachable rover named "Curiosity" is scheduled to land on the red planet on August 6. The mobile lab will spend two years searching for evidence that Mars might have contained life. With NASA facing sharp funding cuts, there's a lot riding on the success of the mission. Some say it could determine the future of the nation's entire Mars program. Diane and her guests talk about their hopes and fears for the Mars landing and mission.
Guests
James Green
director of planetary science at NASA headquarters.
Marc Kaufman
science writer for The Washington Post and author of the National Geographic "e-short" "Mars Landing 2012: Inside NASA's Curiosity Mission," released this month.
Comments
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Finally we have a discussion about something the government should be spending tax dollars on, advancement not stagnation.
Unmanned exploration has made important contributions to Earth science and fosters international cooperation.
Go, Curiosity...
I love science and all it has given us... but I still am a bit baffled why some are so curious about life that may be on other planets, when there is so much life on Earth. I would rather see this type of effort spent on our oceans and bio-systems. Not that I'm not curious, but still.... in a time of limited budgets and such threats to our own home, shouldn't we look closer?
Fracking on Mars. Whoo-hoo! No troublesome elementary schools or drinking water for people to worry about!
There's nothing wrong with calling a rover "adorable" if it helps to interest today's kids in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. STEM education is a vital area to focus on in US society today. To paraphrase Will.I.Am from the NASA Social launch ceremonies for the Mars Science Laboratory, "Don't forget the ARTS either; then STEM becomes STEAM!!" Go Curiosity!!!
Is NASA thinking of using one of the commercial space exploration companies (such as SpaceX) to help out?
Sending Robots is great, but why would we send Humans, considering the phenomenal costs and risks.
If the futurists are correct about the manner is which humans will become virtual in some 25 to 35 years, the money we would spend sending 200lbs of protoplasm would be much better spent in virtual exploration using more and more competent robots/artificial Intelligence.....
I agree with those who believe that we should be investing more in environmental and social problems solutions here on Earth. As for sending humans to Mars (is anyone ever going to pass some psychological test for the extended time away from Earth?) - well, my former boss once remarked: Why would you ever want to go to or live on Mars? You can never go outside.
"investing more in environmental and social problems solutions here on Earth"
OH, that bottomless pit of social engineering political correctness.
On July 26, 2012 the discussion on Diane Rehm show was about cutting food stamp to save billions. Why the tax payer money is being wasted on mission to Mars when all the humanity is on planet earth?