Private Mars Mission Planned For 2009

Enkidu writes "Spiegel and other German media are reporting that a complete private Mars mission (automated translation) is planned for 2009. Organizations behind are AMSAT and Mars Society Germany."

Comments

American Companies

[artlu]

I am surprised that a company like Boeing has not attempted to break into the privatized space arena. It seems like the government regulations/costs are too constricting to focus on space travel from a government perspective. Maybe we'll have an X-Prize to mars within the next 25 years!

Re:American Companies

[qbzzt]

I am surprised that a company like Boeing has not attempted to break into the privatized space arena.

There are US companies in this arena, but Boeing is too big and corporate for it. Big companies like guaranteed profits, not high-risk high-reward ventures like private space flight.

Re:American Companies

[maxpublic]

And *you're* forgetting that there is no one-world government, and that any country with a corporation capable of make a profit off of space will whip out their willy and piss in the U.N.'s general direction.

Do you honestly think the U.S. would bow to any U.N. treaty over something like this? Pause a moment while I laugh my ass off.

Max

Re:Wow, better get cracking...!

[ZZeta]

"No private organization has even been to the moon, and NASA is going pretty great lengths to ensure they understand all effects and implications from staying in space a very long time."

Be careful, this has nothing to do with staying is space for a long time. They aren't sending a human, living, person.

It's all right there in google's attempt at translating.

Re:Yeah right....

[mjbkinx]

Seriously, they can't even get to *Earth's* orbit, and they are planning to go to Mars?

they have sent up private amateur radio satellites into earth orbit for years using some spare space in ESAs arianes since 1980.
they're a rather large group of scientists who work on the project for free in their spare time.

here are some infos in english (and german)

Hey, let me ask a question. . .

[Sialagogue]

Just how stupid does an announcement have to be before working journalists decide not to report it? A private mission to Mars by 2009?

Okay fine, in that same spirit:

"Dear Speigel:

I plan to evolve into a being composed entirely of ionized gas and electromagnetic energy by 2009. I realize this is an ambitious timeframe, but with recent advances in genetic engineering and non-CFC spray bottle technology I believe it's achievable.

Please call me if you have any questions, or I'll be happy to seep into your offices in five years."