Mars and Island One

--- In spacesettlers@yahoogroups.com, "Combs, Mike"
> From: sraj [mailto:sraj@m...]

...

> > Putting up a modest operation on Mars with say a hundred people
will
> ignite the mind of the young and eventually make
> > large free floating space habs possible.
>
> Why is it taken for granted that a 100 person base on Mars is more
> inspirational than a 100 person base in HEO? If we could sustain
1000
> people in HEO for about the same price as 100 people on Mars, which
> would be more inspirational?

I have gone over this. Mars is a place which is Earthly, yet not
Earthlike. It may lave running water, even life. It has large cayons,
larger than any on Earth, and the largest vulcanos in the entire Sol
System. Its famliar without losing its mystery. Plus it has the human
mythology as well: the cannals of Lowell, the alien civilizations of
Bradbury, the human upotias of Robinson, and yes, the infamous "Face
of Mars" (which in one mans word "will become the biggest tourist
trap of 22nd century")

Or maybe its just me.

> Besides, in the real world, providing returns on investment is
going to
> have more to do with it than providing inspiration.

True.