Russia plans missions to Mars and the Moon

[Klaus Lange]

I'd rather see a centralised Earth space agency push development than any one country. Last thing we need is another global pissing contest over Mars, between the US, China and Russia.

Plus countries tend to be dicks when it comes to sharing and playing nice. It'd be great if there was a unified space council, because then there'd be so many biases tugging at the due process that everyone would be discriminated against equally. Yay for level handed treatment!

EDIT: Also, is it just me, or does that timeline sound like 99% impractical posturing? I'll be amazed if the Russians can put their money where their mouth is.

No, they're not dicks. It's called politics. Cruel but true.

Woops, looks like it just got political. Thanks!

"Keep state secret"
:)

I sat down and estimated that Canada's current economy is about 1/2 the size of the USA's in the 1960's, in real terms.

What this implies, is that with today's technology, Canada could quite easily afford an Apollo Program.

That being said, what could the USA accomplish?

The problem with space exploration is political will, and an overly risk-averse culture.

Not money, and not technology.

Exactly. I think during world-wide economic crisis pace of space exploration shall decrease, taxpayers will want save money for current needs.