A manned mission to Mars is necessary for our ‘species to survive’, says Nasa chief Charles Bolden as he plots a three-step plan to land humans on the red planet by 2030. To achieve this stellar ambition, Mr Bolden, head of the US space programme and a veteran space shuttle pilot, outlined a series of ‘stepping stones’ to Mars that include ‘lassoing’ an asteroid and bringing it into the Moon’s orbit by 2015, growing plants in space and using 3D printers for onboard repairs. These steps in advance of a three-year return trip to the red planet would not only bring scientists new samples from outer space but would provide a valuable testing ground for key technologies necessary for manned missions. Speaking at the Humans to Mars summit, Mr Bolden told The Times: ‘If this species is to survive indefinitely we need to become a multi-planet species. We need to go to Mars, and Mars is a stepping stone to other solar systems.’ http://metro.co.uk/2014/04/23/mission-to-mars-is-necessary-for-survival-of-human-race-4706507/
Serious? People grow new people, inside their ****ing bellies, all in 9 months. There are people who can eat like 50 ****ing hot dogs in 5 minutes. I would hope we can lasso an asteroid in 19 freaking months.
Shoot him, bury him in OE's land in Kentucky, and then just tell his family he went on that one way trip?
Plans already in motion. Including some private companies. Basically, you send a satellite/probe/thingy to the asteroid, attach to it, and start thrusting it into an orbit of our convenience. Thrusting. All about thrusting.
I know companies are looking into it. I don't see how moving a body into lunar orbit is feasible in a year and a half. Maybe 3-5 if it seriously pursued. Even a small hunk of space rock has serious mass.
Here is the concept video - http://www.bloomberg.com/video/nasa...asteroid-in-space-~ZfYFpuzSvKYyV2a9SUZkQ.html