Comments on: Modern Space Activism: A Response to “A Dream Palace…” by Jeffrey F. Bell http://www.anthonares.net/2005/11/modern-space-activism-response-to.html Chronicling and Commenting on Human Progress Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:07:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: FlyingSinger http://www.anthonares.net/2005/11/modern-space-activism-response-to.html#comment-40 FlyingSinger Thu, 24 Nov 2005 23:58:00 +0000 http://www.anthonares.net/2005/11/modern-space-activism-response-to.html#comment-40 Good comments - I think you identified the key issues quite well here. It is unfortunate that Mr. Bell lumps together "technically illiterate" space advocates (although space needs all the advocates and voters it can get, regardless of technical knowledge) with those who are organized and both technically and politically serious (such as the Mars Society). I don't think Zubrin or anyone at the Mars Society underestimates the difficult engineering problems of Mars and the many unknowns associated with extended periods of 0.38 G. But some of Mr. Bell's statements about Mars sound like the "man will never fly" category of technological pronouncements (e.g., it hasn't been done, and I don't know how to do it, so it can't be done). Engineering problems can't be brushed under the rug, but they can be prioritized, and not all need to be solved in detail before deciding to go on the first exploration missions. Somewhere between SF and "mission accomplished" is a place where dreams, goals, and technical constraints can and should co-exist. You can move toward a goal by solving problems or by inspiring people or both -- and both are needed in the case of space (along with money, which also requires inspiring people). -Bruce Good comments - I think you identified the key issues quite well here. It is unfortunate that Mr. Bell lumps together “technically illiterate” space advocates (although space needs all the advocates and voters it can get, regardless of technical knowledge) with those who are organized and both technically and politically serious (such as the Mars Society).

I don’t think Zubrin or anyone at the Mars Society underestimates the difficult engineering problems of Mars and the many unknowns associated with extended periods of 0.38 G. But some of Mr. Bell’s statements about Mars sound like the “man will never fly” category of technological pronouncements (e.g., it hasn’t been done, and I don’t know how to do it, so it can’t be done).

Engineering problems can’t be brushed under the rug, but they can be prioritized, and not all need to be solved in detail before deciding to go on the first exploration missions. Somewhere between SF and “mission accomplished” is a place where dreams, goals, and technical constraints can and should co-exist. You can move toward a goal by solving problems or by inspiring people or both — and both are needed in the case of space (along with money, which also requires inspiring people).

-Bruce

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