[X] My Assistant

[dilo]

This mosaic of 4 Panoramic frames from Sol442 show a strong increase in density of rocks, even big ones! Don't know if could be an issue for further movements toward the hill top?

[Bill Harris]

To have humans _on_ Mars is more than a PR stunt (athough one might argue that the current US Administration's announcement of this goal is just that); in a larger sense, this is the human destiny.

But having a spacious and well-equipped manned orbiter _at_ Mars with multiple Rovers communicating with the orbiter in real-time via geocentric relay satellites is the reasonable path to travel. Samples could be delivered to the orbiting lab facility using return-to-orbit samplers.

A living, breathing observer on Mars would be a wonderful event, but the environmental overhead of keeping the observer in that state would be tremendous at Mars' distance.

--Bill

[dvandorn]

To have humans _on_ Mars is more than a PR stunt (athough one might argue that the current US Administration's announcement of this goal is just that);  in a larger sense,  this is the human destiny.

But having a spacious and well-equipped manned orbiter _at_ Mars with multiple Rovers communicating with the orbiter in real-time via geocentric relay satellites is the reasonable path to travel.  Samples could be delivered to the orbiting lab facility using return-to-orbit samplers.

A living, breathing observer on Mars would be a wonderful event, but the environmental overhead of keeping the observer in that state would be tremendous at Mars' distance.

--Bill

Actually, no. Keeping a human crew alive and well is probably easier on the surface than in orbit. At least, it's easier assuming you'll be able to use Martian resources to support the manned crew.

For example, if there *is* a lot of ice easily available to relatively simple equipment, a crew can use Martian water for drinking, washing and food cultivation, and (through electrolysis) to provide oxygen for breathing. They can also use Martian water and elements in Martian rocks to make rocket fuel to get them back home.

Lugging all the Martian resources you want to use all the way up to Mars orbit will be more difficult and probably a good deal more expensive. Most expensive of all is bringing everything you need from Earth.

Biocontamination issues aside, a maned Mars landing is probably going to be easier and cheaper than a manned orbital mission.

-the other Doug