# Bush Administration to Fund Nuclear Mars Rocket **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 18, 2003, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440 "2003-01-18T08:01:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/201 "2003-02-04T16:04:17Z")
Congressional Quarterly is reporting that Ted Stevens, the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, wants to dump a quick infusion of cash straight into NASA “as soon as procedurally possible.” It may be tacked onto one of the supplemental spending bills which Congress is now constantly floating. $500 million is a lot of money, no question. But last year Congress was asking NASA to eat $4.8 _billion_ in cost overruns on the ISS, largely incurred by propping up the Russian space program. ---
**Author:** ![GOM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5f9b8f/32.png) [@GOM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GOM)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/202 "2003-02-04T16:22:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sofa King \* > \*\* > > 1. $500 million is a lot of money, no question. > > 2. But last year Congress was asking NASA to eat $4.8 _billion_ in cost overruns on the ISS, largely incurred by propping up the Russian space program. \*\* 1. I’m not trying to trivialize 500 very large ones, but it’s not going to make much difference to NASA. In my opinion. I have heard experts say more than once that it costs $500 million for each Shuttle launch. At this point I would like to say never launch another Shuttle. It’s a flawed program. The problem with that solution is that we are 10 to 15 years away from a replacement. I’m not sure the ISS will stay in orbit that long… If we want to have a serious manned space program we need to double NASA’s budget. Again, imo. 2. The ISS could be the black hole for NASA’s budget. Some people that have looked at the numbers have estimated the total cost at close to $100 billion. It’s almost useless now. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/203 "2003-02-06T03:48:47Z")
[Space.com](http://Space.com) on the [new NASA budget and plans for manned Mars missions](http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/nasa_science_030205.html). > [@](#): > > The most ambitious new initiative in the 2004 request is Project Prometheus, a proposed $2 billion investment in nuclear propulsion research that would lead to a tour of three of Jupiter’s moons starting around 2010. And > [@](#): > > He warns that the mission probably won’t be mounted in NASA’s optimistic time frame – by 2010 – but that that should not deter the planning or the investment. ---
**Author:** ![GOM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5f9b8f/32.png) [@GOM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GOM)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/204 "2003-02-06T07:30:33Z")
Interesting… Some people were hoping Prometheus would provide a quick way to get to Mars. It doesn’t sound like that’s even in the plans. hmmm 2010 is optimistic? ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/205 "2003-02-06T07:37:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GOM \* > \*\*Interesting… > > Some people were hoping Prometheus would provide a quick way to get to Mars. It doesn’t sound like that’s even in the plans. > > hmmm > > 2010 is optimistic? \*\* When dealing with a government project, it is. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/206 "2003-02-06T07:38:51Z")
Prometheus will provide a quick way to Mars. But first it has to be designed, assembled, tested on the Jupiter probe and then built into a human rated space craft. I’m betting that NASA sees the Columbia loss as 1-2 years off any platform design. They’ll need to re-assess any space plane ideas and at the same time answer to Congress about the shuttle. It will take time to answer all the questions, assess processes propose new methods of launch. Big time eaters. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/207 "2003-02-06T07:41:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sam Stone \* > \*\*Okay, so what do we all think of [this story?](http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/nuclear_power_030117.html) > > It looks like the Bush administration is set to announce a huge program to build a nuclear powered rocket that can get a manned mission to Mars.\*\* Great. Build it quickly and put him in it. ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/208 "2003-02-06T13:07:12Z")
go eat \haraka\, RF. ---
**Author:** ![GOM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5f9b8f/32.png) [@GOM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GOM)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/209 "2003-02-06T17:45:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tuckerfan \* > \*\*When dealing with a government project, it is. \*\* Yep. Excellent point. What was I thinking about? 😃 Btw, why is Bush asking about “aliens” in his budget? > **[Shared Hosting Vs. Dedicated Hosting](https://ananova.com/news/story/sm_746860)** > > Shared Hosting VS Dedicated Server Hosting Dedicated hosting service, dedicated server, or managed hosting service is a type of Internet hosting where the client leases an entire server and is not … Bush backs alien evidence George W Bush says there is mounting evidence to suggest there is alien life on other planets. The US President used his budget document to declare that there may be “space aliens” to be discovered. A passage entitled, **“Where are the Real Space Aliens?”** , states that important scientific research over the last 10 years indicates that proof of “habitable worlds” in outer space is becoming more of a reality. * * * Or is this some kind of joke? Has anybody here seen the budget? ---
**Author:** ![lokij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@lokij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lokij)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/210 "2003-02-06T18:03:23Z")
President Bush is probably referring to the relatively recent discoveries of extra-solar planets. There was recently a study done that has questioned the idea of the “Habitable Zone” as a narrow band that any planet must stay within in a regular orbit to possibly harbor life. As it turns out a planet with an irregular orbit could have quite a large deviation and still manage to be a pretty comfortable place, theoretically. Planets it turns out are able to absorb or reflect large amounts of heat on a close swing near a star and keep enough heat in to have liquid water on their swing furthest from the star. There are plans to build a large next generation space telescope that will have the resolution needed to find nearby earth sized extra-solar planets. Taken all together it seems only fair that we discuss the possibilities of alien life. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/211 "2003-02-06T18:15:02Z")
Actually on page 273 there’s a box titled “Where are the real space aliens”. Its part of a section tied to Prometheus. Basically they’re pointing out that lightly powered probes lack the needed power to really take stock of life within our solar system. If you really want to find stuff out you need poweful transmitters, radar etc. > [@](#): > > For example, using existing propulsion technology, it can > take half a decade or more for spacecraft to > travel to Jupiter and other planets in the > outer solar system. Once there, it is difficult > and sometimes impossible for spacecraft to > enter orbit around one or more of a planet’s > moons. In addition, power on a spacecraft is a > scarce resource. Science instruments on these > spacecraft often run on the same amount of > electricity as a light bulb. - taken from US Budget fiscal year 2004 pg 273\* ---
**Author:** ![GOM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/5f9b8f/32.png) [@GOM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GOM)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/212 "2003-02-06T18:23:24Z")
Thanks Grey. When did you find time to read the US budget? ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/213 "2003-02-06T19:07:52Z")
Well I like to skim the soothing words of the budget office while sipping Highland Park before a fire… Actually after reading space aliens I did a WTF!? and had to find out. Its only :rolleyes: 300 pages or so. A little creative skimming (It’s not in Medicare … I hope:)) and I found it. Hell I’ve had to read design docs that make it look concise. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/214 "2003-02-06T19:40:06Z")
A guy named “Grey” is answering questions about aliens? ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/215 "2003-02-06T19:45:55Z")
Just check my link on the previous page. The space aliens box is on that page. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/216 "2003-02-06T19:51:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by carnivorousplant \* > \*\*A guy named “Grey” is answering questions about aliens? \*\* Can’t be that bad. We like good scotch. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/217 "2003-02-06T20:41:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Grey \* > \*\* We like good scotch. 🙂 \*\* Imported, one gathers. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/218 "2003-02-07T04:07:07Z")
You should see the duty. ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/219 "2003-02-07T04:11:02Z")
Has anyone seen anything on how this is going to work? Is it simply a booster stage that gets thrown away or is it reusable? It seems stupid to build this great NTR and use it once, build another one etc. etc. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440/220 "2003-02-07T14:03:02Z")
I presume it would be for very long missions, providing slow but constant acceleration, particularly if it excites particles and tosses them out the back. So, er, you guys have any Manifest Destiny stuff we need to worry about? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-administration-to-fund-nuclear-mars-rocket/149440.md?page=12)