WASHINGTON (NASA PR) — Mars is an obvious source of inspiration for science fiction stories. It is familiar and well-studied, yet different and far enough away to compel otherworldly adventures. NASA has its sights on the Red Planet for many of the same reasons.
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The Space Review features the following essays:
Why is human Mars exploration so surprisingly hard?
James Oberg discusses why human Mars missions have proven far more difficult than originally envisioned and how we’ll know that we’re finally ready to go.
Doubts about depots
Josh Hopkins argues that proponents of on-orbit propellant depots need to address a number of technical and business issues regarding them.
Ares 1 launch abort: technical analysis and policy implications
An Air Force analysis leaked last month concludes that there are phases of flight of the Ares 1 from which the Orion capsule could not safely escape. Kirk Woellert examines both the rationale for leaking the report and its technical merits.
Remembering the lessons of SEI
Taylor Dinerman looks back on the late, lamented Space Exploration Initiative for insights on how the President and Congress should not to act when given the Augustine Commission’s report.
Launch failure
Dwayne Day reflects on what the passing of LAUNCH Magazine means for space journalism, online and in print.
The crucible of man
Andrew Weston makes the case for Britain to be even more ambitious with its long-term space goals.
Review: Heavenly Ambitions
Jeff Foust reviews a new book that examines changes in space policy and explains why military space dominance is problematic, at best.
Howry: Buzz Aldrin pushing for settlements on Mars
Ventura County Star
Aldrin is worried about the direction the space program is taking, and thinks it would be a terrible waste of time and money to engage the Chinese in a race back to the moon. As he put it, unless there is something to be gained — economically, scientifically, or something else he’s unaware of — why do we want to get into a race to a place we’ve been before? He sees nothing to gain from it.
