Gentlemen, start your rocket engines!

[Edric O]

Remember how the Chinese made their first successful manned space flight in october last year? And remember their determination to go to the Moon? Well, it looks like Bush certainly remembers...

Bush will soon announce his plans for manned flights to the Moon and Mars, says CNN

It appears we might be witnessing the beginning of a new space race. Gentlemen, start your rocket engines! :)

[Caid Ivik]

Predictable... Americans can't miss any show  ;D

[Dude_Doc]

Oh, you posted this one before me... anyways...

[Sardauker-Kirov]

Would be funny to see the Russians beating the Americans.

"Bush declares war on Russia because he is a jealous prick!"

[Mahdi]

Not much of a race, seeign as how the US has a fourty year head start.

[Anathema]

Interesting note: the father of the Chinese space program actually comes from America. His family came from China so during the red scare he lost his job, and a few years later he went to work for the Chinese.

[Dante]

Personally I wonder why they spent billions on space when it could go on aid. On the other hand, why spend billions on aid if space isn't progressing that fast? I wish they'd just channel everything into the enviroment for a while and be done with it. When our own planet's secure, then we go into space.

[TMA_1]

I like the idea of a new push for going to the deep of space. I agree that it is a waste of money in a sense that right now it might be a bad time to be using money in many ways (in america), but I just cant help but love the idea.

[Edric O]

If not now, then when? Do you think Columbus should have waited until every one of Spain's problems were solved before starting his voyages?

We've already waited long enough - 30 years, to be exact. And the future of Humanity is at stake.

[Anathema]

Why would he care about their problems, he just asked the queen of Castilla for money for his voyage and left. Big difference there.

Besides I think we should send out many more unmanned craft before even considering sending someone out there.

[Dude_Doc]

Maybe Mars has materials or fuel that can run entire cities for years? Just like that game, eh, Dark Colony. Would be fun... no, by the way, it wouldn't. They will probably put a stamp on everything there...

[Timenn]

It think it is better that countries compete with each other by having a space race, rather then a war.

Besides, space is fun, you'll get to discover alot of new things, and it betters our technology. Space flight is the reason why you are now able to post at this forum what is at the other side of the Atlantic Ocean for us.

[Sardauker-Kirov]

Hell yeah, Timenn has a point.

We might see Captain spork and mr Scotty soon with his almighty transporter!  ;D

[Atomic Mitten]

It think it is better that countries compete with each other by having a space race, rather then a war.

Besides, space is fun, you'll get to discover alot of new things, and it betters our technology. Space flight is the reason why you are now able to post at this forum what is at the other side of the Atlantic Ocean for us.

Well there's life Tim , but not as we know it ! ;D

[Dante]

Found this in a newspaper today:

Bush wants to send a man to Mars. Any nominations?

I love that.

[Timenn]

Well, me for sure! And I think alot of people would like it too. I'm sure willing to put myself to intense training to get a trip to Mars... :)

And sure I accept the risks...

[Dunenewt]

Hopefully I'll be going to Mars as well...maybe the European Space Agency should do something like that and don't let the Chinese and Americans beat them to it.

[Dude_Doc]

I think the ESA (European Space Agency) was set back by the Beagle 2 incident.

[Edric O]

I loved Dean's reaction:

"The President said he wants to go to Mars. I think that's a great idea. He should be the first to go."

[TMA_1]

come on edric, you know dean should be sent up too, along with a few other politicians I can name. hehe