Space Adventures For A Buck

[nrrusher]

<br />How much would you donate to an operation to be able to remotely operate your own Mars probe, for a few minutes anyway?<br /><br />I was thinking, if anyone could donate (say via an online site) a dollar or more to a specific goal, what would get done. Personally, I would pledge 10 bucks to a Mars Blimp Style Explorer. In return, give me a web site that I could logon to and see, live, the video feed. Allow me to remotely control it and I would give considerably more. <br /><br />Now, if everyone who has ever paid 10 bucks for a movie, book, etc., who might be interested in such, would do the same, how much of the cost for a probe could we come up with?<br /><br />Create a market for it......why not?<br /><br />Here is the plan. Create a Website where we can each register and pledge money. If/when enough money is raised to contribute significantly to a project, then everyone would be prompted to ante-up. If the money arrives, the newly created "consumer" division of NASA, or some other private group, would get to work, if not, no harm done.<br /><br />Thoughts? Of the 300 million or so in North America alone, how many would pledge 10 bucks? I would without hesitation. Depending on the proposed mission, perhaps a lot more.

 

[jimfromnsf]

It can't be a direct control because of time delays of 20 minutes. (I may be wrong wrt the actual number)

 

[MeteorWayne]

Current light time to Mars is 10 min 37.5 sec each way.<br />Your estimate was right in the ballpark. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[nrrusher]

<br />Yes, I am aware of the time difference. I was just figuring telling it "hey, that little hill over there....go climb it!" Then watch 40 minutes later as the footage starts coming in.<br /><br />Same thing with an aerial vehicle. "hey, go and fly up that ravine for 10 minutes, following the track and elevation I lay out" then do the same.....<br /><br />Come on...please.....I know I am not a genius, but I am insulted that you thought I wasn't aware of a timing issue...... <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />NR

 

[nrrusher]

<br />Correction, - I would be waiting 20 minutes before footage of the travels would be seen.....<br /><br />NR

 

[MeteorWayne]

You replied to me, I just provided detailed information, I'm not the one that said anything about your awareness of a timing issue.<br /><br />Perhaps you weren't aware who you were replying to? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Actually, at leat 21 minutes and 15 seconds <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[nrrusher]

<br />Sheesh......brutal........... <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />

 

[nrrusher]

<br />I have started reading "Entering Space." I highly recommend this. I have only read the first two chapters or so, and the naysayers/antagonists of the drive to push the envelope REALLY need to read them. <br /><br /><img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />I feel like the guy was reading my mind.<br /><br />As I get further into this I may start a thread about it...not sure where yet though.<br /><br />NR

 

[solarspot]

I would donate 20 bucks easily just to know I've helped a mission get 'off the ground'.<br /><br />As soon as you mentioned Entering Space, I started looking for my copy. Found it halfway down a pile of 30 books... first time through I was amazed seeing the big picture of Skylab's interior on page 78... gives you a real sense how big the thing was.<br /><br /><br />

 

[kelvinzero]

With teleoperated robots on the moon the delay would be only seconds. Rich kids could spend thousands to shovel moon regolith into sandcastles, structures that could last a million years..<br />..then rich bullies could spend thousands to go and kick them over <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <br /><br />But seriously, I would support sending money to prospecting goals.. though what I am really interested in is ISRU progress, much of which could be done on earth.

 

[qso1]

When Mars is at its closest point to Earth (35 million miles), the radio signal one way transit time is as little as 4 minutes. When Mars is at the furthest possible point from Earth, the radio signal one way time is well over 20 minutes. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong>My borrowed quote for the time being:</strong></p><p><em>There are three kinds of people in life. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen...and those who do not know what happened.</em></p> </div>

 

[webtaz99]

By definition, when Mars is "farthest from Earth", isn't it also behind the Sun? Good luck sending EM through a star.... <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[qso1]

Thats is most certainly correct. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><strong>My borrowed quote for the time being:</strong></p><p><em>There are three kinds of people in life. Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen...and those who do not know what happened.</em></p> </div>

 

[nrrusher]

<br />I'm all for doing it on the moon as well, though with no atmosphere the landing will be tougher.<br /><br />What I would kill for is to have an enclosed "flying gymnasium" on the moon, where you can strap on a pair of wings and and fly like a bird due to low gravity.......I have dreams about that...........<br /><br />NR