From: Harvey Newstrom <mail@HarveyNewstrom.com>
>Here is an idea that I have been toying with recently. We have
>earth-based frontiers that can be reached cheaper and earlier than
>space-based frontiers. These might serve as practice areas where
>we can demonstrate viable space technologies in a safer
>environment. People could visit or study these environments to see
>what works and what doesn't. We can then adapt these technologies
>to space. Those that already live in these environments will
>already be experienced colonists in hostile environments.
This is exactly the idea behind the Mars Society's Mars Arctic
Research Station. This past summer at Haughton crater in the arctic
they erected a full size mockup of a mars lander and conducted a
range of experiments.
There is a team working on developing a self-sufficient life
support system as well. Nasa will be testing space suits there next
summer I believe.
They are already talking about starting other sites as well.
www.marssociety.org
Brian
Member:
Extropy Institute, www.extropy.org
Adler Planetarium www.adlerplanetarium.org
Life Extension Foundation, www.lef.org
National Rifle Association, www.nra.org, 1.800.672.3888
Ameritech Data Center Chicago, IL, Local 134 I.B.E.W
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