Why Going to Mars right now is a Terrible Idea - Find Out Why!

Moon First: The Rational Approach

For decades, the concept of sending humans to Mars has been captivating the world's imagination. After all, it is the next big frontier for humanity. However, before we rush into a Martian adventure, it is essential to consider the scientific, logistical, and practical reasons for prioritizing our celestial neighbor, the Moon, first.

More than a Satellite

The Moon, although often overlooked, holds immense scientific potential. By establishing a human presence on the lunar surface, we can conduct a multitude of experiments and research that will greatly contribute to our understanding of the universe.

MOON FIRST Why Humans on Mars Right Now Are Bad for Science: Including: An Astronaut Gardener on the Moon

by Robert Walker (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The Gateway to the Stars

The Moon acts as a natural stepping stone towards more distant celestial bodies, such as Mars. By mastering technologies and procedures on the Moon, we can better prepare for future missions to Mars or beyond. This strategic approach ensures that we progress responsibly and maximize long-term scientific benefits.

Practicality Reigns Supreme

When it comes to space exploration, the practicality of missions cannot be underestimated. Mars, due to its distance and unique challenges, poses numerous obstacles that need to be overcome. These include prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation, limited availability of resources, and the psychological impact of isolation. By gaining experience on the Moon, we can develop solutions to these challenges in a controlled environment and significantly reduce the risks associated with a Mars mission.

Unraveling the Mysteries

The Moon has been an enigma to scientists for centuries. By establishing research facilities on the lunar surface, we can unravel the many mysteries it holds. From studying its geological history to investigating potential water resources, the Moon offers countless opportunities for groundbreaking discoveries. These findings will not only advance our understanding of the Moon itself but also provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of other celestial bodies in our solar system.

Collaborative Approach

One key aspect that sets the Moon apart from Mars is the potential for international collaboration. Many countries already have a significant interest in lunar missions. By focusing on lunar exploration first, we can foster greater collaboration and resource-sharing among nations, allowing us to pool our collective knowledge and advance the frontiers of space exploration together.

The Sustainable Approach

In recent years, the emphasis on sustainability has become paramount in all areas of human endeavor, including space exploration. The Moon provides a unique opportunity to develop sustainable infrastructure, utilizing the available resources and harnessing solar energy. By becoming self-sufficient on the lunar surface, we can prove that long-term human presence in space is indeed viable, paving the way for future ventures, such as Mars colonization.

While the allure of Mars cannot be denied, it is essential to approach space exploration with a rational and strategic mindset. By prioritizing our efforts on the Moon, we can maximize scientific advancements, minimize risks, and lay the foundation for successful Mars missions in the future.

MOON FIRST Why Humans on Mars Right Now Are Bad for Science: Including: An Astronaut Gardener on the Moon

by Robert Walker (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	12270 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	370 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

President Obama, in his op-ed, says he wants to send humans to Mars, because he loves science. Great!. But hardly anyone stops to ask the question: "What would humans landing on Mars do to the science they so love?" The question is especially acute in the case of a crash landing . "What happens to our trillions of microbes if a human occupied ship crashes on Mars?"

Could we find life on Mars, present day life, based on different principles from Earth life? That would surely lead to some of the most significant discoveries in biology of the twenty first century. What would a human crash do to the scientific potential of the planet?

There are three top priority places in our solar system to protect from Earth microbes: Mars, Europa and Enceladus. Why rush humans with our trillions of microbes, as quickly as possible to the one place inside of Jupiter's orbit most vulnerable to Earth life?

And - is this the right time to attempt a colonization anyway? When Shackleton succeeded in overwintering in Antarctica after his ship sunk, he didn't say "Oh great, we have managed to survive here huddled under boats, hunting seals, so we must colonize Antarctica".

In the New World, there were plants to eat, crops could grow, and temperatures were equitable. It had human inhabitants already and you could breathe the air and drink the water. It's hard to beat that. We have never colonized anywhere like the Moon or Mars, far more inhospitable than Antarctica. Even the summit of a mountain four times taller than Mount Everest would be far more habitable than either of them.

Are there other ways forward? Ways that let us explore Mars thoroughly and search for life there, experiment with space settlement and colonization, and protect the science value of Mars? What about exploring Mars from orbit, operating robots on the surface? That's the preferred way forward of scientists who care about planetary protection of Mars. How effective is it? Perhaps it is a more direct and immersive way of exploring Mars than with astronauts on the surface. Do we need astronauts to drill? What about robotic moles? What if we make these orbital missions and missions to its two moons and telerobotic exploration of Mars our long term goal for humans to Mars? What if we leave any decisions about whether to land humans on the surface to a later date?

Also - we have the Moon, right on our doorstep. With the new discoveries of the peaks of almost eternal light at its poles, the radar data suggesting vast caverns over 100 km long, and ice detected at the lunar poles - how does the Moon now compare with Mars? This is the usual focus for Moon first books such as The Value of the Moon, Moonrush, and The Moon: Resources, Future Development and Settlement, and I go into this in some detail as well.

You might be surprised at how well the Moon stands up against Mars in the comparisons. The two week long lunar night is far less of a drawback than you might think due to interesting discoveries about plants kept in darkness for two weeks at a time and modern efficient LED lights, while the peaks of almost eternal light may give a way to build early bases with abundant solar power available nearly all the time.

If you love science, as President Obama does, then do read this book and find out more about the case for exploring the Moon first and protecting Mars from Earth life for now, and make up your own mind.