Yes, I have often wondered what the remote operators of Spirit would see on their screens after the termination the mission. When one considers the damage caused to the indigenous population by the rover around 'Home plate' it is quite possible that the tiny 'sand people' may have set a trap for the rover. That would be their only means of stopping the rover in its tracks, so to speak. It has been established from some of the images where Spirit came to grief that the tiny people have large calibre weapons but these armaments would be no match for the huge rover, so it's quite likely they had to resort to the best method available before any more damage was done to the local population.
Remember what happed to the Phoenix Lander and the tell-tale instrument during the late stages of the mission. Confirmation that the craft is 'disintegrating' could well be that the lander is being dismantled by an army of tiny workers. This is more than possible as from images at the time revealed that it took a very short time for the mirror of the tell-tale instrument to be dismantled. How long would it take them to dismantle the whole lander? Three to five years perhaps. Future images of the site will probably reveal that nothing is left and it has completely disappeared.
As for a new manned lunar mission, I believe the astronauts were warned off from returning during a previous mission. Images posted on this forum in another thread show that the Moon could well be inhabited, probably by mature martians.
The budget for space exploration is being curtailed due to the current state of the American economy. Without the money flowing like it was for the Apollo missions there will be no guaratee of a manned exploratory mission to either Mars or the Moon.
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"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed; Second, it is violently opposed; Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
Yes, I wish we knew what those other factors were 'cos then we would have some idea why it is preferable to spend money sending robots to Mars rather than sending them to the Moon instead.
We could find out just as many things from the moon as we can from Mars. They would be different things, of course, but they would still be useful from a scientific perspective. I realise that a manned mission anywhere is going to cost much more than a purely robot mission, but if they are sending robot missions to Mars, then why not send them to the Moon instead. May even be cheaper if that is an issue for governments or NASA.
I am still waiting for China or India to release any data (apart from the press released images) from their missions to the Moon. Not a squeak from China, and there was that rather strange mysterious failure of the Indian mission.
...and what the Martians have done to Spirit. I am convinced they have dismantled it. This is why we have not got any images released of Spirits last resting place.
Now they want us to move on and forget the old MERS and concentrate on the new bright shiny expensive rover.
Before I move on, I just want to say this again...only an opinion, of course.
Why do you, Eaol, think we are NOT going to the Moon then?
-- Edited by qmantoo on Saturday 9th of July 2011 12:16:35 PM
I have to say in the light of evidence produced by much in-depth research that I am very concerned at the damage that has been caused by the various missions to Mars.
When Viking landed on Mars we were shown the martian landscape. Images were presented showing the correct colours of the terrain and the sky was blue. Scientific instruments tested various parameters and a report stated that a signature was picked up that could indicate life existed on the planet.
Since the Viking mission there has been an explosion of activity in sending missions to find out more about the planet. Unfortunately, NASA and the other scientific communities seem to have side-stepped the main issue of trying to determine if there is a genuine life existence in evidence. That research, it would seem, has been left for the pseudo-science community to investigate and determine. I can honestly say that the research I have been involved in has returned a great deal of evidence which suggests that life does exist on the planet but, as I stated elsewhere, it is not of 'earthly' proportions. I believe the mature martians that were of 'earthly' proportions landed on this planet thousands of years ago to escape an impending catastrophe on their own planet. I also believe, from the evidence of extended research, that their direct descendants are still here but can only be found in one place.
In view of this, I am most concerned about the damage being done by the missions. I feel that in the early days a special mission should have been sent to determine whether life exists and, if it does, what kind of life is it. Best to find out first rather than open the stable door after the horse has bolted.
My personal opinion is that we should not send men to Mars if it is found that we are encroaching on new territory which is showing positive signs of being inhabited, even if the species on the planet consists of very tiny beings. How would people on Earth feel if a massive rover landed on this planet and the motion of its wheels were killings thousands of people? We would firstly want to know where the craft came from and secondly, the best method we could find to destroy it. This is exactly how the tiny martians must feel at the present time.
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"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed; Second, it is violently opposed; Third, it is accepted as being self-evident."
If man can not solve their problems here on earth is he able to build new community? If the U.S.A. wants other nations subject to his will, respect human rights and humanity in general, why do they not start by creating a model community in the territory where they have full "control"?
1) Why do you think sending people to Mars is a bad idea, Qmantoo?
2) Chandre, can you explain your statement? I know artificial gravity is possible, but beyond that, your statement isn't being backed up in your post. If you must, refer me to another topic.
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What if Pinnochio says that his nose will grow longer?
Very interesting, I need a copy of that book but it answers two questions I have already posed. Yes, we can create artificial gravity on board a craft and we already have the technology for an engine to power it.
Although I do not think this is a viable project and I think we would be just sending people to certain death, maybe there is some usefulness in discussing it now.
It is true, we do not have any plans to go and dont look like making any either.