Mars Family Robinson

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, sraj wrote:

> I agree with Bill. Very soon Earthlings are going to loose
> management control to the persons out there, unless the spacehabs
> are dependent on basic things like food and water from Earth.

You state this with such certainty. Are you basing your certainty on
these outcomes happening on Earth? Let's see, California seems to
have plenty of food and water, therefore it's not dependent on the
US, and it hasn't declared independence.

> The guys out there will break loose as soon as possible, and since
> most will be highly trained engineers they will figure out how to
> survive without help from Earth.

San Jose, Boston, Raleigh all seem to have high proportions of
engineers and they're not looking to separate either. I wonder
what's holding them back?

> Only, I think the confrontation will come at a very early stage,
> so it is unlikely that missiles will fly.

On what basis do you think this?

> Yes, Earth will have the Nukes to knock them out while they won't
> have these weapons (initially),

Could you share some of these secret long range planning documents
you're in possession of. I too would like to know what the future
holds.

> but on the other hand they would have mastered space in a way that
> landlubbers on Earth will not be able to comprehend.

Aren't you a landlubber? How is it possible that you can comprehend
the spacer techniques but landlubbers in the future won't?

> Nuking them will be just like nuking the whales - who are true
> masters of the sea. Pointless.

A nuclear explosions will kill a whale. If that is your intent, then
surely it isn't pointless to achieve success.

> It is also possible to survive without trade.

Yes, here on Earth we call that country North Korea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autarky

> 3. Cost.

> I don't agree that because a spacecraft is man rated it has
> necessarily to be very expensive.

Can you tell us why you think this? What tests, which of course are
expensive to conduct, would you eliminate? What criteria would you
modify?

I've enjoyed reading your proclamations but a conversation would can
be more fruitful if there is substance to what you say, or if you
can provide evidence to support your positions. All you're offering
here is a science fiction vision and all anyone need do is say
you're wrong and that their vision is the way it's going to be.

You obviously have thought about this quite a bit. Why not fill out
the details so we can see why you hold these positions?

TangoMan