August 2008

This week’s question concerns NASA’s plans for a manned mission to Mars. Now that the presence of water has been confirmed on Mars, there is talk once again of NASA putting human beings on the Red Planet. The costs and logistics involved with such a project are daunting. Current estimates are that it would take at least 6 – 8 months to reach Mars and the cost could run anywhere from $20 billion to $450 billion. Proponents of the idea claim the knowledge gained from putting people on Mars would be well worth the cost; detractors argue that that money could be put to better use solving some of the problems we have here on Earth. Where do you stand? Do you support the concept of a manned mission to Mars?

Vote here.