Mars

[cdybedahl]

At the gaming convention last week I bought, among other things, a copy of GURPS Mars. It's a general book on the planet Mars, published last year, for use with the GURPS roleplaying system from Steve Jackson Games. Like most of the GURPS books, it has little in the way of rules and much in the way of interesting information. The first third or so of this book is about Mars in the real world (as opposed to Mars in fictional and mythic worlds). Which includes information on several existing plans to visit it. And what they would cost. That's where it gets depressing:

Amount of money the US Congress was willing to spend to destroy Iraq: $80 billion.

Cost estimated by NASA for a manned expedition to Mars, including laying the foundation for a permanent base: $30-50 billion.

[Poll #128366]

Comments

[archbishopm.livejournal.com]

Obviously what the US ought to do is declare war on Mars, and then they'd have a good excuse to send people there.

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

Well obviously, since the Martians haven't joined the UN or attempted any form of communication with the Earth then they must be hiding some really nifty Weapons of Mass Destruction ;-)

Gina

The Bargain Shopper...

[dphearson.livejournal.com]

Well shoot, for the cost of the Iraq War II, NASA could had *two* stations on Mars.
Sometimes, Republicn shop retail.