A long term priority and goal for NASA

[k24anson]

If anyone cares to imagine the United States not having colonies of some kind on Mars one or two hundred years from now, you can do so. The reality will be that there will be colonies there, the (west) US will definitely get there first and set up our present way of doing things on the surface there, so I guess it is good to talk about all the repurcussions and ramifications of setting everything up to do so. It would be nice to have any future public discussions making note that the US will do so for no other reason than the "just because it's there" reasons, think mountain climbers now, and that we spilt blood doing so over the last fifty years of our space program. Some of those silly Europeans who just can't ever realize why some Americans seem so cocky and arrogant will soon be hearing of our talk towards eventually colonizing the Martian terrain, and will then have fresh fodder to feed on in this regards. Tsk, tsk.<br /><br />I say, let's get Mars colonized soon. If nothing more than to rub it into some French noses and to have more validity to argue as to why socialism and thirty-five hour work weeks are detrimental to a once proud civilization. Here, here! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <span style="color:#000080" class="Apple-style-span">Stay focused. Go slow. Keep it simple.</span> </div>

 

[viper101]

What's with the Europe bashing? <br />I'm betting that first mission to Mars will be international.<br /><br /><br />

 

[silylene old]

Maybe Mars will be colonized by Moslems before the Americans. I sure bet that would shake up your assumptions ! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><em><font color="#0000ff">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</font></em> </div><div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><font color="#0000ff"><em>I really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function.</em></font> </div> </div>

 

[steve01]

America needs to really think hard about their future. Britain sailed into the sunset as the last great world power yet it knew that America would be there to carry the torch. Are Americans really prepared to pass the flame to Red China? I'm really not trying to be biased, but Congress gets terrified and pulls away from any negative event that makes it to CNN. I'm doubtful that the China News Service will go quite so hard on the Chinese Academy of Science if they have a mishap! The USA has enjoyed 15 years of with no competition but those days are quickly coming to an end, and Congress needs to step back and really evaluate if they want to be purchasing seats for their astronauts from China, or worse asking permission to have more than one child!

 

[steve01]

So what steps does the US have to take to remain dominant? Or, will nation-states as we know them now even exist in 20 years?