[ND4SPD]

Watcha think?

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/0...ace/index.html

[Zeeman]

Just imagine if this were a peaceful world, we could put so much more research into cool stuff like space research...

I'd like to see a manned mission to mars in my lifetime.

Z...

[Dragger]

I really like the idea and plan that was set out. The USA seems to much better at things that are set down with an idea/vision and a plan to get there. I love the idea of traveling in space, we can learn so much from it.

I know it will cost a lot but in the end I really think it is worth it, just think of all the new cool technology we will create.

[Baketech]

Good plan....but the budget allocataion needs to be bigger....

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by Baketech

Good plan....but the budget allocataion needs to be bigger....

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not.

I mean, $11 Billion here, $12 Billion there, $86 Billion here, oh what the hell - let's put $80 Trillion into the program. It's only debt, oops, money that is.

It's an exciting time with the technology and future capabilities but at what cost and does it have to be immediate? Who's paying for this and with what? What will the compounded interest be 10 years from now, what will the new Federal Deficit be? What's the term for 2 steps higher than Trillion?

It just seems that there are a lot of "local" (meaning the USA and Earth)issues here that need to be worked out and fixed before playing on the moon or Mars. Oh well, it's only play money, we can always print more.

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not.

No sarcasm....

NASA has arguably had the best ROI of any government funded program in history. Any dollars allocated here, do not go in the deficit column....they go in the income column....

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by Baketech

No sarcasm....

NASA has arguably had the best ROI of any government funded program in history. Any dollars allocated here, do not go in the deficit column....they go in the income column....

How does financing the huge existing/potential cost of colonizing Mars or the Moon going to have a huge Return On Investment? Who is going to be returning our investment? (assuming that's what ROI stands for)

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

How does financing the huge existing/potential cost of colonizing Mars or the Moon going to have a huge Return On Investment? Who is going to be returning our investment? (assuming that's what ROI stands for)

In the same way that NASA spending has paid for itself in the previous decades.....

[bwhip]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

How does financing the huge existing/potential cost of colonizing Mars or the Moon going to have a huge Return On Investment? Who is going to be returning our investment? (assuming that's what ROI stands for)

Perhaps the gains in technology, ultimately leading to greater productivity and prosperity in the private sector, adding to the Gross National Product, and improving the tax revenue stream?

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by bwhip

Perhaps the gains in technology, ultimately leading to greater productivity and prosperity in the private sector, adding to the Gross National Product, and improving the tax revenue stream?

You'll have to expand on that with a little detail (not trying to be a smart ass, just trying to understand your answer).

Greater Productivity? of what?

Prosperity in the private sector?

Adding to GNP?

Improving tax revenue?

Edit: I don't want to get into a great debate. My only point is that there are issues right now that need attention. Social Security, Retirement, Health Care, Jobs, Poverty, etc. The fact that the retirement age will keep going up and that there will probably be no Social Security left, minimal retirement benefits, and having to spend 90% of your retirement on health care/insurance. Not only for this generation but the next generation as well. These are just a fex examples of problems that exist today and need greater attention.

Would I like to have a colonization on Mars? Yes
Would this solve today's problems? No

[Baketech]

Not to be flippant, but since you obviously have internet access, it is really easy to get educated about this issue.....

[SuperDave]

Originally Posted by Baketech

Not to be flippant, but since you obviously have internet access, it is really easy to get educated about this issue.....

Read my edit in last post. I doubt researching this will change my opinion .

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

I doubt researching this will change my opinion .

At least you are approaching it with an open mind....