MOON FIRST / MARS FIRST DEBATE QUESTIONS Q1. Science Impact There are many opportunities for scientific investigation from Moon bases and Mars bases and from the space bases that would likely be constructed to support the Moon/Mars bases. The research ranges from astronomy to geology, from fundamental cosmology to planetary formation and the origins of life. Which sciences benefit the most from a Moon base or from a Mars base? Which type of permanent presence, Moon or Mars, would benefit the progress of scientific study more expeditiously and more completely? Please elaborate. Q2. Commercial Potential By the mid 1990s, commercial revenues from space-related activities, chiefly the manufacture and launch of communication and remote sensing satellites, surpassed government space program spending for the first time in history. A growing number of space tourism companies are now offering Zero-G flights, edge of atmosphere flights, and over 300 people have paid advance registration for the first sub-orbital flights. SpaceDev is planning a mission to a Near-Earth asteroid to test the feasibility of space mining. DreamTime is using high definition video recording on the Space Shuttle and the ISS for documentary, training, historical, and educational use. What commercial applications do you see for future Moon or Mars missions? Q3. Psychological Impact Using interviews and writings by 29 astronauts and cosmonauts, ranging from Yuri Gagarin to Sen. "Jake" Garn, author Frank White shows how circling the Earth every 90 minutes and viewing it from the Moon produced a profound change in their perceptions of themselves, the world, and the future -- an experience he calls the "Overview Effect." White also shows how the rest of us, who have participated imaginatively in these great adventures, have been affected. His book provides a powerful rationale for space exploration and settlement as the activities most likely to bring a new cosmic perspective to the problems of life on Earth. In regard to the Overview Effect, how do you think future missions to the Moon or Mars will affect both the astronauts who go there and those of us following their adventures at home? Q4. Technological Barriers Even a brief settlement on the Moon or Mars will require the crew and ground support network to overcome technological barriers. Three barriers which come to mind are i) A lack of affordable transportation to space, ii) No proven closed-loop life support system, and iii) Low launch vehicle reliability. The philosophy for overcoming these barriers, in principle, can be quite different for a Moon mission or for a Mars mission. In your view, are these barriers, and/or other barriers you can think of, higher for a Moon First approach or a Mars First approach? How could a Moon or Mars mission help break down these barriers in the quest for human settlement in space. If applicable, please address crew safety and investment risks and costs? Q5. Political Barriers According to the 1967 "Outer Space Treaty", space, including celestial bodies such as the Moon and Mars, cannot be subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means. However, there's apparently no restriction on individuals owning land in outer space. Any actions, public or private, to establish Moon/Mars bases (temporary or long term) will precipitate international action on the issues of "Space Law". Assuming the first steps to settling the Moon or Mars are from the private sector, what advantages and/or disadvantages does going to the Moon first or Mars first have for establishing the international laws governing the settlement and commercial exploitation of other celestial bodies? Q6. Physiological Effects A key factor in the success of long-duration space missions to other worlds will be the measures taken to counter the negative physiological effects of microgravity on the cardiovascular, muscular, and skeletal systems. What measures do you propose to meet these challenges in missions to the Moon or Mars? Please address the technical feasibility of your solutions. Q7. Risk Factors In contrast to transoceanic explorations and migrations over the past 500 years, space missions have depended heavily upon "home base" support. In both ocean and space explorations, back-up systems may or may not have been brought with the explorers or they may have arrived months later with back-up missions. Certainly, "real time" communication with "home" has been an integral part of space flight, providing both technical assistance and emotional support to the crew. Please identify crew safety and emotional support issues in regard to back-up systems and home base support for Moon or Mars missions. Also, how would the level of acceptable risk (lack of back up) compare if the venture was primarily privately funded vs. publicly funded? Q8. Life Support Please explain the technology, methods, and energy requirements required for life support on the Moon or Mars for extra vehicular activity (EVA). How much does the burden of life support limit the flexibility and life style of people visiting or working on the Moon or on Mars?