Brad Guth wrote:
Actually Venus is quite important. I suspect that some of our
'visitors' may be from there. But we have to establish a real presence
in Outer Space before we go to a civilized planet and negotiate for
anything.
I do not believe we'll need to leave home in order to accomplish a
great deal with regard to Venus. Though it might be nice, we certainly
don't have to go to our moon or even to LL-1 for that matter.

I am a little like Harrison Ford (Hans Solo) and Tom Cruise (Top Gun)
rolled into one. And, add a little of William Shatner (Star Trek) with
a tiny pinch of Leonard Nimoy (Spock).
Sounds as though you're a little like another lose cannon, much like
myself. Can you becime a wee bit more focused on something/anything?


I have driven ships and flown planes. I know where America's
technology is. I know what can be accomplished in short order. We
simply need the 'will' to achieve.


It is time for mankind to sally forth into Outer Space, no excuses, no
panic attacks, no horsing around. It doesn't matter whenther it is
NASA or Private Enterprise. The technology exists right now. It is
time to get going.
But why not just efficiently communicate with the folks nextdoor? It's
a whole lot better off than trading microbes that could have a negative
impact on either planet.


If mankind sits on this planet and does not venture forth, it will just
be a matter of time until mankind no longer exists. Also, there are
riches to be found in Outer Space. The U.S. economy will within 20
years of space travel go to the quadrillions per year, instead of
paltry trillions.


How about starting off with the VL2-TRACE platform, as providing the
do-everything robotic science station and nifty transponder on behalf
of whatever we manage to place on the surface?


Ultimately, men can perform better than just machines. We are at the
point of using men today, not just robots devices. Also, spreading out
protects the species from annihilation.


Can you pick something that's within the best part of your
life-expertise, and focus that talent on a given task that's doable
with what's existing?


That is my point. Outer Space is now doable. Those waveriders of the
70's can be built, with appropriate updates and modifications. A good
example is StarRaker, titanium with ceramic tiles has to be substituted
for aluminum. And get rid of 3 different kinds of engines. Just use
SSMEs. Add SRBs for SSTP.


In exchange, I'll continue to support your lighter than air spaceplane,
which by the way should work absolutely terrific on behalf of
accomplishing Venus.


Not just Venus, but it should be interplanetary with Pluto, et. al.,
within range. With a couple of ion engines Mars should not take more
than 3 weeks to get there.




tomcat