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Originally Posted by iCurtis
Have you read Zubrin's "The Case for Mars"?
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No, but I'll seek it out.
There is a new silicon-germanium circuit manufacturing process that looks like it can solve the microcircuit radiation hardening problem. Manufacturing fuel is a level of complexity we never had with the moon missions, but higher thrust also requires more complex landers and the whole project is really massive. It seems to me to be as massive a challenge today as the original Apollo missions with 1950's/1960's technology.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Molten
Just curious, what makes Mars any better then the moon?
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Been there, done that. To secure funding, the new mission has to be something very new and exciting. What was the US reaction when China announced it is going to the moon? That's great, but 40+ years too late. I think we have to set a higher target, and even a hint of "we'll choose the moon because Mars is too difficult" is not acceptable. Aim high!