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First Man To Mars?

Posted by michael on from the not-val-kilmer dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Lee Goldberg posted this story which he says is "...the true story of how I sent the first interplanetary necro-cosmonaut to Mars." An entertaining read."

5 of 145 comments (clear)

  1. How serious is this article? by SystematicPsycho · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Don't space agencies forbid any form of bacteria from leaving the earth and being placed on other planets/moons? Won't that 'contaminate' the planet mars? I guess it's a matter of time before man gets there and plunders it anyway.

    --
    Analytic & algebraic topology of locally Euclidean meterization of infinitely differentiable Riemmanian manifold
  2. How to Start an Urban Myth. by Howzer · · Score: 5, Interesting
    This week, kids, we learn how to start an urban myth. I'll summarise the steps you need and then expand in more detail.

    1. Use an existing, well established "link story" that everyone knows is true. Insects bite people. Bill Gates talks about computers. People have had their ashes taken up on the Space Shuttle.

    2. Put a "twist" in the tale that makes the average listener smile, and raise their eyebrows. Some insects lay things in you when they bite. Bill Gates said we'll only ever need 640K. Ashes don't only go on the shuttle (link left as an exercise for the reader).

    3. Get a website. These days this is free (as in beer).

    Ah bugger the lesson, I think you lot saw my point 4 paragraphs ago. I'll be happy to wager with anyone on how long it takes before this is credibly and totally debunked. I'm betting 72 hours.

  3. You forgot to add by af_robot · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Before sending Gates you must be 100% sure that he'll got one-way only ticket

  4. Re:Still have some doubt by Dr+Bip · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Few may be aware but 'Solothane' is not used in aerospace circles. The stuff is called 'Solithane' and while it is clear and viscous, it's a two-part mix, a bit like an epoxy resin. I would have expected reference to that - it's not something that comes out of a can as one liquid. So, interesting, but... (and I'll not even begin on what this implies for the COSPAR regulations on contamination control)

  5. Re:ashes by sunspot42 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Is the entire probe sterilized after construction? Also, wouldn't the hard radiation in space do a pretty good job of killing any bugs that might have hitched a ride aboard the ashes?

    The author also says he omitted a few things from his story. It's possible one of the things he omitted was the sterilization of the ashes.