Hatrack River Forum: Mars, Venus, and Closer to Home

This is topic Mars, Venus, and Closer to Home in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Mig (Member # 9284) on :

I've come across some great pics today that remind me of how far we are from the Star Trek-future I imagined as a kid, but that also remind me how of close we are too.

First up, the Mars rovers are still ticking and taking some great shot. These guys were supposed to last just a couple of months. I never tire of seeing new Mars surface pictures.

http://www.newscientistspace.com/article/dn10177-mars-rover-reaches-mouth-of-gaping-crater.html

The US went to Mars while the Russians invaded Venus. Check out this newly refined pictures of the surface of Venus from the Soviet Venus landers (Venera 13 and 14) in 1982. Awesome pictures I never knew existed.
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/060911_venus_images.html

Closer to home, is the unveiling of the new Virgin Galactic’s spaceliners (cool name) from Richard Branson. Checkout the cool video on the bottom right of the linked paged showing a future space flight. Very 2001ish. (Not sure about the idea of having a porthole ot the bottom during re-entry?) At $200,000 USD, I have to start saving those pennies now.

http://www.space.com/news/060828_spaceshiptwo_next.html

Posted by Libbie (Member # 9529) on :

Wow - those photos of Venus gave me chills for several minutes. Awesome. Truly awesome.

I must admit that I do aspire to becoming wealthy one day, but ONLY because I want to go into space so very, very badly. I would love to ride on a Spaceliner!

(Porthole on the "bottom?" The enemy's gate is down!)

Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :

Maybe I wouldn't mind a short visit, but I'd never want to stay in space...unless I'm headed to another planet.

Dirtside is where I'm meant to be [Smile]