From: Spike (spike66@comcast.net)
Date: Sun Sep 07 2003 - 21:32:59 MDT
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert J. Bradbury
Zubrin also botched the entire "development of Mars" concept ...He does
not "get" nanotech and does not "get" the O'Neill vision of living in
space colonies...
Agreed, however he makes an assumption right up front
in his Case for Mars to assume *only* current (1996)
proven technology. Nanotech isn't there yet.
I mentioned nanotech to him at a conference of Doctors
for Disaster Preparedness. He must have been shocked at
that one, for it was perhaps the only conference where he
spoke and was not mobbed by admirers. He was just in the
wrong place: DDP is an association of physicians who
ponder how to survive and help others in the event of
a nuclear war. I do not know why Zubrin was speaking
at that, but I took advantage of the opportunity. I
got his undivided attention for about half an hour.
In any case, he isn't a nanotech believer.
The Mars atmosphere is essentially useless for things one would like to
use atmospheres for (providing atmospheric pressure, shielding from UV
rays, providing CO2 for plant life, etc.)...
Robert
Mars' atmosphere is good for *some* of the things
we need atmospheres for. Granted it doesn't provide
pressure or shielding, only cursed dust storms. However
it is a carbon source, and might provide *some* water,
two things that are in way short supply on the moon.
spike
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