Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science » in reply to Isolated on Mars

re: Isolated on Mars
Mark Eby — (archived)

I'm not avoiding the differences you sight. I'm pointing out that the safety margin provided by the Moon's distance is minimal compared to the overall risks associated with space travel. I'm also pointing out that your types of arguments are much brandied about as generalities that sound far more convincing to the uneducated than they should be in reality. Most space accidents will require response within microseconds, seconds, and minutes. Hours with Apolo 13 was a lucky exception. 3 day responses are unlikely in the extreme to be sufficient.

Finally you are avoiding the initial point like the plague that we don't need the Moon to address the long term issues you raise. Long term equipment can be tested on Earth and in LEO. Going to Mars first does not mean ignoring these issues. If you want to test them and do real long term space science on the Moon at the same time you are basically assuming the same risk and cost.

I'd also like to know how you think going to the Moon first is going to overcome the time delay in communication with Mars and Make Mars closer. A broken leg on Mars is going to be a problem whether we go to the Moon or Mars first and yes it will be more of a problem than one on the Moon. But how does going to the Moon first change that?

Regards,
Mark

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