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Europe Goes To Venus; Mars Comes to Us

Posted by michael on from the frequent-flyer-miles dept.

JamesO writes "The BBC says that the ESA is going to Venus, reusing the Mars Express design. Also here. Launch seems to be expected in 2005." And knownsense writes "Space.com is reporting that Mars is coming to closer to Earth. It will be closer by around 191 million miles and will end up 85 times brighter about August next year. This apparently is the first time it's been this close since the Neanderthals."

18 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Metrics by trans_err · · Score: 5, Funny
    Remember NASA miles not kilometers!

    ps. 1 mile = 1.6 km

    --

    transmission_err

  2. Faked Venus Landings? by malarkey · · Score: 5, Funny

    The US doesn't have any faked landing of Venus that we're covering up, I hope. If that's the case, Venus express will never make it.

    1. Re:Faked Venus Landings? by Guppy06 · · Score: 3, Funny

      "The US doesn't have any faked landing of Venus that we're covering up, I hope. If that's the case, Venus express will never make it."

      All the footage from the Venera "spacecraft," on the other hand, was filmed outside Novosibirsk.

  3. Holst anyone? by T-Kir · · Score: 5, Funny

    appear more than six times larger and shine some 85 times brighter than it appears now...

    Does that mean we can play Holst's "The Planets" 6 times louder and have a valid reason for when the neighbours complain?

    --
    Are you local? There's nothing for you here!
    1. Re:Holst anyone? by LordLucless · · Score: 2, Funny

      Nah, you play it 85 times louder on speakers 6 times bigger.

      --
      Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face
  4. "85 times brighter"? by I-man · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is it just me or does that figure seem a little high?

    "Auggh, my eyes! Damn you, Mars, damn you right to hell!"

  5. mama mia... by updog · · Score: 2, Funny
    The Italian contribution to Venus Express will chiefly consist of a series of spare parts for various spacecraft components and a financial contribution.

    cool, a spacecraft with a fiat engine!

    seriously though, this article seems biased... why is focus on italy; e.g., quote "the italian problem"? doesn't that kind of thing (one nation not contributing as much as everyone else) happen all the time?

  6. Why indeed... by T-Kir · · Score: 5, Funny

    [joke]

    Well it must be because NASA are waiting for the current schlock of Hollywood movies to wrap, so they can hire some of the biggest sound stages ;)

    [/joke]

    --
    Are you local? There's nothing for you here!
  7. Correction by Artifex · · Score: 4, Funny

    Actually, it got much closer in 1951...

    Seriously, though, I hope NASA and ESA and the Chinese and private firms have planned well in advance to take advantage of this situation.

    --
    Get off my launchpad!
  8. Coincidences and coincidences by TechnoWitch · · Score: 3, Funny

    And just think, just in time for a Neanderthal's party to win in the U.S. midterm elections!

    Coincidence? I don't think so!

    -----
    Paid for by "The Committee to Elect Edward D Wood Jr, Posthumously"

  9. The Neanderthals by Liquidity · · Score: 5, Funny
    "This apparently is the first time it's been this close since the Neanderthals"

    Yeah, and look what happened to them!

    1. Re:The Neanderthals by Grizzlysmit · · Score: 2, Funny
      Who says we're all gone?

      Ooops -- that was a bit of a give away, quick agggrocck damage contol.

      --
      in my life God comes first.... but Linux is pretty high after that :-D
      Francis Smit
  10. perseverance by torre · · Score: 2, Funny

    You gota love Nasa's Moto... If you don't succeed the first time, spend millions more in another attempt.... :)

  11. Re:Very Welcome News... by DocStout · · Score: 2, Funny

    There's a joke in here somewhere about geeks, women being from Venus, and men being from Mars, but I'm too busy hiding from girls here in my computer room to phrase it properly... *smirk*

    --
    Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes
  12. Fridge note to Martians by Tablizer · · Score: 2, Funny

    If you are a Martian, than this will be the best time to order Earth pizza delivery for a good while. Better get your order in now in case there is a rush.

    It will also be a good time to give back all that junk that NASA keeps crashing on your planet.

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  13. Oh sure, it's just mars, RIIIIIIGHT! by Gldm · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Hey! That looks like a giant flaming meteor headed straight for earth!"

    "No no, that's just mars. Mars is supposed to be extra bright this year. See how red it is?"

    "Are you sure? It looks like a life-exterminating meteor to me."

    "Nope, just mars. Definately mars. Nothing to worry about here. By the way, we'll be heading off to venus for awhile."

    "Venus? Why? What's over there?"

    "Oh nothing, nothing. Incredibly boring place actually, just clouds and all. Don't worry, the earth is perfectly safe, we'll be back later."

    "Are you sure about that whole not being a meteor thing?"

    "Of course. Got to be going now, want to have a good view."

    "View?"

    "Er I meant I'll be seeing you. After I'm back... from venus.... later."

    --

    Introducing the new Occam Fusion! Now with sqrt(-1) fewer blades!

  14. Oh really? by Hektor_Troy · · Score: 3, Funny
    Nothing ever got done by taking the easy way out!
    Then how do you explain the wheel? That sure as hell is taking the easy way out.
    --
    We do not live in the 21st century. We live in the 20 second century.
  15. Look out! Mars, bringer of war is coming! by Whammy666 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Let's see, Mars (God of war) is due to make its closest approach within a year and Bush is determined to start a war in the middle east also within a year. Coincidence? Maybe we should rethink this astrology thing.

    --
    When all else fails, run.