Whose for a game of Footie on Mars?

http://inventorspot.com/articles/chi...ve_people_9705

I think we are too complacent. China is putting its emphasis firmly on
robotics and AI. I mentioned interesting young people. China is doing
just that, but its thrust is in terms of robotics and not on heavy
rockets.

If you did want Footie on Mars, the Long March would be a perfectly
capable transportation system. You don't need Ares or heavy
indivisible loads. Robots are of course vital for any alternative (to
Ares).

There is one controversial point. To what extent should the government
qua government be engaged in stimulating scientific progress? I don't
think it should be in the job of financing the building of heavy
rockets, but it is perfectly proper for it to stimulate interest
through competitions. After all prizes ave been offered for driving
200km round Las Vegas and the Urban challenge. I also think there is
some sort of prize for translating Arabic.


- Ian Parker