Yahoo Tuning Groups Ultimate Backup metatuning NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060311/ap_on_sc/mars_orbiter

>> Challenges Ahead for NASA's Mars Orbiter
>>
>> By ALICIA CHANG, AP Science Writer Sat Mar 11, 5:42 PM ET
>>
>> PASADENA, Calif. -
>>
>> The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter passed the biggest test
>> of its life by safely entering orbit around the
>> Red Planet, joining a constellation of circling spacecraft.
>> But other challenges lie ahead.
>>
>> Next month, the two-ton orbiter will begin another
>> critical phase in its $720 million mission. It will
>> spend seven months dipping into Mars' upper atmosphere
>> to shrink its current elliptical orbit to a circular one,
>> which will take it as close as 200 miles above the surface.
>>
>> The purpose is to get as close to Mars as possible to
>> beam back detailed images.
>>
>> "We got the capabilities that will knock your socks off,"
>> said project scientist Richard Zurek.
>>
>> <big snip>
>>
>> The newest orbiter is equipped with the most high-tech
>> science instruments ever flown to another planet including
>> a telescopic camera to photograph the surface in
>> unprecedented detail and radar to probe underground for
>> ice and possible evidence of liquid water.

The cynic in me suspects that this orbiter will also
be searching for evidence of oil, gold, diamonds, coltan,
uranium, etc.

I wouldn't be surprised if the big players (Halliburton,
Exxon, BP, etc.) have already divided up the nice
detailed NASA maps of Mars, and staked their claims.

At the very least, i'm sure they've begun negotiating
their shares of options on future rights.

-monz

🔗monz <monz@...>

🔗Gene Ward Smith <genewardsmith@...>

--- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "monz" <monz@...> wrote:

> I wouldn't be surprised if the big players (Halliburton,
> Exxon, BP, etc.) have already divided up the nice
> detailed NASA maps of Mars, and staked their claims.

I would; it makes no economic sense, and is problematic legally.

> At the very least, i'm sure they've begun negotiating
> their shares of options on future rights.

Why?

🔗monz <monz@...>

--- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "Gene Ward Smith"
<genewardsmith@...> wrote:
>
> --- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "monz" <monz@> wrote:
>
> > I wouldn't be surprised if the big players (Halliburton,
> > Exxon, BP, etc.) have already divided up the nice
> > detailed NASA maps of Mars, and staked their claims.
>
> I would; it makes no economic sense, and is problematic legally.

I think the current US administration has shown
that both of those considerations are meaningless.

> > At the very least, i'm sure they've begun negotiating
> > their shares of options on future rights.
>
> Why?

Um ... just imagine if there's oil lying under the
surface of Mars.

-monz

🔗Gene Ward Smith <genewardsmith@...>

🔗stephenszpak <stephen_szpak@...>

--- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "Gene Ward Smith"
<genewardsmith@...> wrote:

++++++++I thought I posted this but I guess I just thought it.

If there was several square miles of Mars covered by a thin
layer of gold dust I think we'd see unmanned robots going
to Mars to vacuum it. Maybe the U.S. space program could
eventually pay its own way.

Stephen

>
> --- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "monz" <monz@> wrote:
>
> > Um ... just imagine if there's oil lying under the
> > surface of Mars.
>
> Probably there isn't, but if there is there's no way to get it to
> Earth in a way which is cost-effective.
>

🔗Gene Ward Smith <genewardsmith@...>

--- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "stephenszpak" <stephen_szpak@...>
wrote:
>
> --- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "Gene Ward Smith"
> <genewardsmith@> wrote:
>
> ++++++++I thought I posted this but I guess I just thought it.
>
> If there was several square miles of Mars covered by a thin
> layer of gold dust I think we'd see unmanned robots going
> to Mars to vacuum it. Maybe the U.S. space program could
> eventually pay its own way.

I doubt it. With present technology, it would not be cost effective.

🔗stephenszpak <stephen_szpak@...>

> > If there was several square miles of Mars covered by a thin
> > layer of gold dust I think we'd see unmanned robots going
> > to Mars to vacuum it. Maybe the U.S. space program could
> > eventually pay its own way.
>
> I doubt it. With present technology, it would not be cost effective.

>+++++++++++++++Gene

Seems like gold is about $550 an ounce. You're probably
right.

-Stephen

🔗monz <monz@...>

Hi Gene and Stephen,

--- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "Gene Ward Smith"
<genewardsmith@...> wrote:
>
> --- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "stephenszpak" <stephen_szpak@>
> wrote:
> >
> > --- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "Gene Ward Smith"
> > <genewardsmith@> wrote:
> >
> > ++++++++I thought I posted this but I guess I just
> > thought it.
> >
> > If there was several square miles of Mars covered by a thin
> > layer of gold dust I think we'd see unmanned robots going
> > to Mars to vacuum it. Maybe the U.S. space program could
> > eventually pay its own way.
>
> I doubt it. With present technology, it would not be
> cost effective.

I'm not really looking at it from the point of view of
mining Mars and bringing the valuable stuff back to Earth.

What i really had in mind is that it's probably inevitable
that human will eventually colonize Mars, and whoever has
the rights to the valuable resources is going to reap all
the profits.

-monz

🔗stephenszpak <stephen_szpak@...>

>
>
> I'm not really looking at it from the point of view of
> mining Mars and bringing the valuable stuff back to Earth.
>
> What i really had in mind is that it's probably inevitable
> that human will eventually colonize Mars, and whoever has
> the rights to the valuable resources is going to reap all
> the profits.
>
Monz

I read/heard a number of years ago that people could
live on Mars (without space suits, etc.). The concept
is to introduce a genetically engineered bacteria that
would process the Martian atmosphere. It would live and
reproduce there, making oxygen and nitrogen. This is all
I remember, and also, it would take about 250 years to do
its job.

I know of no way to change the gravity on Mars though.

-Stephen

🔗Pete McRae <peteysan@...>

Phillip K. Dick had a lot of fun with the idea, which is only vaguely hinted at in the movie, Blade Runner.

"Off-world opportunity!" Enjoy the good life (in a mining colony) on Mars!

Somehow I'm reminded of Elliot Abrams' scheme to yank Honduran mahogany out of there, using hot air balloons. For real. I think. Hee! I can laugh about that, now, but I'm not laughing about (like)deforestation, and endangered hardwoods, and all the crummy furniture that could have been lovely marimbas n stuff.

I think Mars would be a great place for the (new) King of Belgium! Oops. I meant the King of the USA... ;-)

monz <monz@...> wrote:
Hi Gene and Stephen,

--- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "Gene Ward Smith"
wrote:
>
> --- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "stephenszpak"
> wrote:
> >
> > --- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "Gene Ward Smith"
> > wrote:
> >
> > ++++++++I thought I posted this but I guess I just
> > thought it.
> >
> > If there was several square miles of Mars covered by a thin
> > layer of gold dust I think we'd see unmanned robots going
> > to Mars to vacuum it. Maybe the U.S. space program could
> > eventually pay its own way.
>
> I doubt it. With present technology, it would not be
> cost effective.

I'm not really looking at it from the point of view of
mining Mars and bringing the valuable stuff back to Earth.

What i really had in mind is that it's probably inevitable
that human will eventually colonize Mars, and whoever has
the rights to the valuable resources is going to reap all
the profits.

-monz

Meta Tuning meta-info:

To unsubscribe, send an email to:
metatuning-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Web page is http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/metatuning/

To post to the list, send to
metatuning@yahoogroups.com

You don't have to be a member to post.

Yahoo! Groups Links

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

🔗monz <monz@...>

--- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, "stephenszpak" <stephen_szpak@...>
wrote:

> I read/heard a number of years ago that people could
> live on Mars (without space suits, etc.). The concept
> is to introduce a genetically engineered bacteria that
> would process the Martian atmosphere. It would live and
> reproduce there, making oxygen and nitrogen. This is all
> I remember, and also, it would take about 250 years to do
> its job.
>
> I know of no way to change the gravity on Mars though.

Right -- as i understand the theories of Mars colonization,
the very low gravity (compared to Earth) and (even moreso)
the extremely low atmospheric pressure, are precisely the
biggest problems.

The idea i read about for changing the atmosphere is
actually a fairly well-known plan: "The Greening of Mars",
published in 1984:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446329673/002-5812574-3766421?v=glance&n=283155

Here's an artical on the genetically-engineered-microbe
approach you mentioned:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast26jan_1.htm

An interesting article on growing plants in hypobaric
(low-pressure) conditions:
http://www.spacedaily.com/news/mars-base-04b.html

PS -- since i got my motorized bicycle, i've been enjoying
planning my routes using Google Earth so much that after
returning home from my rides, i spend hours looking at
Google Earth some more! (i've been a "map geek" all my life,
and Google's hybrid of satellite image and map just blows
my mind) ... so now i can't wait until they have Google Moon,
Google Mars, Google Venus, etc. ;-)

Google Earth:
http://earth.google.com/

A motorized bicycle which looks exactly like mine:
http://www.simpsonmotorbikes.com/IMG0801sTN.html
http://www.simpsonmotorbikes.com/Img_0806TN.html

I really love this thing -- i'm getting 100 mpg
out of it! And using it every day now.

-monz

🔗David Beardsley <db@...>

🔗threesixesinarow <music.conx@...>

--- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, Pete McRae <peteysan@...> wrote:
>
> Phillip K. Dick had a lot of fun with the idea, which is only
vaguely hinted at in the movie, Blade Runner.
>
> "Off-world opportunity!" Enjoy the good life (in a mining colony)
on Mars!
>
> Somehow I'm reminded of Elliot Abrams' scheme to yank Honduran
mahogany out of there, using hot air balloons. For real. I think.
Hee! I can laugh about that, now, but I'm not laughing about (like)
deforestation, and endangered hardwoods, and all the crummy furniture
that could have been lovely marimbas n stuff.
>
> I think Mars would be a great place for the (new) King of Belgium!
Oops. I meant the King of the USA... ;-)
>
> P

I remember reading about airships on Barsoom, but not trees, though
balloons make sense harvesting stuff that grows isolated and marimbas
might make more sawdust than veneers.

Clark

🔗stephenszpak <stephen_szpak@...>

>
> Right -- as i understand the theories of Mars colonization,
> the very low gravity (compared to Earth) and (even moreso)
> the extremely low atmospheric pressure, are precisely the
> biggest problems.
>
>
> The idea i read about for changing the atmosphere is
> actually a fairly well-known plan: "The Greening of Mars",
> published in 1984:
> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0446329673/002-5812574-3766421?
v=glance&n=283155
>
>
>
> Here's an artical on the genetically-engineered-microbe
> approach you mentioned:
> http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast26jan_1.htm
>
>
+++++++ Monz

You've given this far more thought than I have!

-Stephen

🔗monz <monz@...>

Hi David,

--- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, David Beardsley <db@...> wrote:
>
> monz wrote:
>
> > A motorized bicycle which looks exactly like mine:
> > http://www.simpsonmotorbikes.com/IMG0801sTN.html
> > http://www.simpsonmotorbikes.com/Img_0806TN.html
> >
> > I really love this thing -- i'm getting 100 mpg
> > out of it! And using it every day now.
> >
> >
> >
> > -monz
> >
> to orbit Mars?
>
>
> --
> * David Beardsley
> * microtonal guitar
> * http://biink.com/db

... as soon as i figure out how to install the relay switch
between the clutch and the flux capacitor.

-monz

🔗David Beardsley <db@...>

monz wrote:

>Hi David,
>
>
>--- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, David Beardsley <db@...> wrote:
> >
>>monz wrote:
>>
>> >>
>>>A motorized bicycle which looks exactly like mine:
>>>http://www.simpsonmotorbikes.com/IMG0801sTN.html
>>>http://www.simpsonmotorbikes.com/Img_0806TN.html
>>>
>>>I really love this thing -- i'm getting 100 mpg
>>>out of it! And using it every day now.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>-monz
>>>
>>> >>>
>>to orbit Mars?
>>
>>
>>-- >>* David Beardsley
>>* microtonal guitar
>>* http://biink.com/db
>> >>
>
>
>
>... as soon as i figure out how to install the relay switch
>between the clutch and the flux capacitor.
>
The flux capacitor will help.

--
* David Beardsley
* microtonal guitar
* http://biink.com/db