A Trip to Mars

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 I have been seeing so much about about Mars.  There was a TV comedy series called "My Favorite Martian" featuring Bill Bixby.  But can Mars ever be colonized?  I'm a doubter when it comes to going to Mars.  I just don't see it happening for maybe fifty years.  The number one reason is travel time.  And what about all that is needed for the trip? Would the craft carrying the astronauts to Mars return?  If so, they need fuel for take-off.  

Communication is a big problem.  At its closest point it takes 20 minutes for radio waves to travel between earth and Mars.  A lot can happen in 20 minutes.  In case of an emergency the colonists would have no communication.  There are so many issues for a seven to nine month trip to Mars.  A round trip at best is 21 months.  We just dont know what the human body can take being away from earth's gravity for that long.  Exposure to radiation is a big issue.  The fluctuation of temperature on the surface of Mars is another issue.  

If there is some kind of engine that would make travel faster, that would be a big plus.  But nothing travels faster than the speed of light.  I see Mars as a dream and I see the first mission to Mars as a kind of suicide mission.  There might not be a return.  As some would say, if you dream, dream big.  Musk and others are dreaming big.  I think of the psychological toll on those who would venture to Mars.  Right now, there are too many unknowns about sending humans to Mars.  

I think we have problems on earth that could be solved if more time and effort and money were spent on those problems.  More research needs to be done without a time frame.  If a venture to Mars is in humanity's future we will know.  But right now is not the time.  Setting a schedule years from now is not the way to go.  We can do research, but without a time frame.  One problem must be solved at a time, but I see the first problem as being an engine that can propel a craft as fast as it can go.  Is that even possible?

Some are suggesting an engine capable of a million miles an hour.  Is the time and effort such an engine worth it?  We just don't know.  It seems to me that establishing a self sustaining moon base might be a more logical step.  It might be easier to go from the moon to Mars if indeed that is where we want to go.  But some people want to go to Mars in their lifetime.  It might take several life times to colonize Mars.  

Well, I don't plan on venturing far from here.  Planning a trip to NY is what we are working on right now.  And our time in this condo will be over in a matter of months.  So' I'm not dreaming aboit Mars, as one can see from this essay.  I'm out on the lanai this morning thinking aboit where we go next.  I'll leave Mars to the dreamers, because right now sending humans to that planet is nothing but a dream.  It might be a pipe dream at best.

Speaking of pipes, when I choose a pipe for a day, I see my pipes and simply choose one.  I try to remember how long it has been since I last smoked a particular pipe.  Today it is my Savenelli Author pipe with Vanilla Cream.  Thank you for your time and Peace to each one of you.

Dave

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