"Dr. O" <dr.o@xxxxx> wrote:

>Unfortunately, this sounds like another 'footprints' mission. There isn't a
>real long-term vision of exploration or commercial exploitation. The thing I
>fear most is that once people land on Mars, interest in the space program
>will falter, resulting in another long gap between it and the next human
>space venture.
>
>What worries me even more is what the impact of this will be on any
>COMMERCIAL manned space exploration (i.e. tourism, mining, colonization)
>efforts. Does anyone have a clue? Could it be that the X-Prize follow up
>will simply be deemed irrelevant because it's dwarfed by the manned Mars
>effort? Will it dampen or even kill the market for commercial rockets
>(non-military vehicles)? How about venture capital not being awarded to some
>guy who wants to build a commercial manned orbital vehicle?

The X-prize is irrelevant to any kind of commercial enterprise.

Those guys are wasting their time doing what's been done
decades ago, for a mere $10m prize. It's just an enthusiast
/rich kid thing. We all *know* it can be done, but there
won't be any money for the obvious commercial aspects of
a holiday in space or on the moon.

I'm all for it, mind you. Nothing like having a go.

As for commercialisation: All together now ...

       "It'll cost too much!"

:-)

S
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