As you see here, and from many a reputable source if you’d just do a search for “Russia” and “Mars,” it appears that the space race for capitalism is back on! Some of the rules have changed, but all of our favourite oldies are back. Russia, communist undertones in the United States, nuclear threats. The 1950s are alive and well.
Okay, so there hasn’t been evidence yet that Russia’s space program announcing that they were planning a manned mission to Mars in a nuclear powered space vessel has persuaded the USA to step up their own game, yet. After all, the project is estimated to run $600 million before completion, and the US government is in no position to condone frivolous spending.
Even though there isn’t the same “mutually assured destruction” vibe between the western world and Russia, anymore, I’m personally hoping that this will be significant in reinvigorating NASA’s efforts. The lack of competition has completely eliminated their sense of showmanship – the sort of sensibilities that makes the organization take risks, make bold, science-fictiony decisions, and videotape it for the internet. As a Canadian, I’m rooting for collaboration between the ruskies and yanks – whatever’s going to get a ship on the surface, generating power and terraforming Mars as soon as possible. Frankly, the obstacles keeping us from becoming an outward looking, space-faring civilization are becoming a bit of an embarrassment.
First one to colonize Mars wins, everybody.
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