Obama announces Manned Mission to Mars!

Originally Posted by Niles Crane

This isn't an attack on you and is really just an observation, but............................that sounds awfully familiar. Inter-planetary colonialism perhaps.

In the finest traditions of the Empire! I see America have learnt well from their former masters

[Niles Crane]

Originally Posted by Damien

In the finest traditions of the Empire! I see America have learnt well from their former masters

Yep, fair play to them though. At least they're branching out on their places to exploit. They must have been doing a good bit of window shopping.

[bopdude]

Can someone PLEASE correct the spelling in the title

And it was only a matter of time, good luck, I wonder if it will lead to the cryo chamber being invented ?

[Hom3r]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Why not? The last space race cost a lot of money, but was responsible for massive technical advances in all areas of life. Right from sunglasses (polarised lenses), through cooking (Teflon) to computing (massive advances in computing power and even the Relational Database was invented to help NASA keep track of parts).

There were also (I believe) advance in communications as well as a lot of others.

So, we profited even if the conspiracy theories about no one actually going to the moan (and I still believe they did) are correct.

Sorry thats an urban legend

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_spin-off

Contrary to common belief, NASA did not invent Tang, Velcro, or Teflon.[1]

Well there's a turnaround.Two weeks ago he was saying that private enterprise was the way forward into space and sounded like he was about to cut the NASA budget.

Perhaps someone finally made him see that it's all very well saying you want to make sure you educate the next clutch of young scientists and engineers but that they do need something to inspire them.

[punky]

Originally Posted by Matt D

Roll on Total Recall!

Get your ass to Mars, Get your ass to Mars, Get your ass to Mars...

2 weeks!

[Spectato]

Teflon not particularly beneficial to mankind, in respect to cookware at least:
http://www.wisegeek.com/is-teflon-dangerous.htm

The nonstick coating used in DuPont’s Teflon® pans has been found to release one or more of 15 different toxic gases when heated to certain temperatures. Which chemicals are released depends on the temperature of the pan. This outgassing is fatal to pet birds and can cause "polymer fume flu," also known as "Teflon® flu," in humans.

Teflon® flu creates flu-like symptoms of chills, headache, fever and nausea. Usually, symptoms subside within a few days, and chances are many people who have experienced it mistook it for the flu. However, there are also more serious risks.

One of the main chemicals used in the manufacturing process of Teflon® and other nonstick pans is perflurooctanoic acid (PFOA) also known as C-8. This chemical has led to cancer and birth defects in lab animals, and may have led to birth defects among DuPont plant workers. In 2005, an independent panel reporting to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared PFOA a likely human carcinogen.

Sorry to twist the knife.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by martyh

gotta ask the obvious question ....WHY?

Surely, the obvious answer is 'because it's there'?

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Hom3r

Sorry thats an urban legend

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_spin-off

Contrary to common belief, NASA did not invent Tang, Velcro, or Teflon.[1]

I did not say nasa invented anything. I said we got a lot of things as a result of the space race. A lot of companies, Universities and other organisations were involved in the space race.

[Tezcatlipoca]

Open letter from Neil Armstrong (Commander, Apollo 11), James Lovell (Commander, Apollo 13), and Eugene Cernan (Commander, Apollo 17):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...neil-armstrong

[SMG]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Well there's a turnaround.Two weeks ago he was saying that private enterprise was the way forward into space and sounded like he was about to cut the NASA budget.

Thats exactly what I thought. It seemed Obama wanted NASA to cut right back, now he says the opposite?

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by Niles Crane

This isn't an attack on you and is really just an observation, but............................that sounds awfully familiar. Inter-planetary colonialism perhaps.

I don't think the aboriginal inhabitants of Mars will object that much though.

[Bricktop]

Mr Obama said he was giving Nasa challenging goals and the funding needed to achieve them, including an extra $6bn over the next five years.

$6 billion over 5 years whilst a lot of people in America still dont have proper healthcare.

[budwieser]

They won`t get anywhere fast if this sodding volcanic ash keeps farting out of that bloody volcano!

Originally Posted by Bricktop

Mr Obama said he was giving Nasa challenging goals and the funding needed to achieve them, including an extra $6bn over the next five years.

$6 billion over 5 years whilst a lot of people in America still dont have proper healthcare.

A bit harsh considering Obama had to fight hard to get the changes to US healthcare that he did achieve..something that no other US president has ever managed.