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NASA Plans On Bringing Back Martian Rocks

Posted by timothy on from the what's-a-couple-of-billion-for-some-rocks dept.

FortKnox writes: "In this Y! article, NASA is planning on sending a robotic mission to Mars in an attempt to bring back Martian stuff (rocks, soil, etc...). Looks like its a tough mission to plan for; they are calling it 'Apollo without the astronauts.'" I would like to go to Mars in person, but if they're spending my money already, I'd like them to please use robots for a while.

2 of 184 comments (clear)

  1. Damn it, why bring them back? by jfdawes · · Score: 2, Redundant

    Can't they just analyze them there and send the info back? How much extra money is it going to cost to get a couple of rocks that will end up being a paperweight?

  2. Motto by zoftie · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Wasn't motto "To boldy go where no man has gone before" in effect, or rather "To cowardly stumble in our own back yard" is in effect? Lets send people there, figure out a solid way to support
    them there, and make for a renewable modular facilities, factories and plantations? As they live there we can innovate here. Being there, scientists can do way more in terms of exploration, interaction with environment, thus we can learn more. Missions should be marked high risk and not televised all over, and should be kept under lock, so the normal order of things
    would be preferred instead of making a soap out of it.

    Make bold assuring steps in exploration of our
    system. Unfortunately things cannot be done that way, because people want to see the show they paid money for, in taxes - where priorities for
    missions break down.