comment by kleinbl00

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kleinbl00 · 2704 days ago · link · · parent · post: Possible Biosignatures Found in Spirit Rover's Data

The trick is getting back up the gravity well. I'm sure Kerbal Space Program could tell you.

The fact that the Soviets started their discussion with an N1 does not fill me with confidence that it can be done economically.

Something something 16 tons of hydrogen delivered to the surface of Mars. Something something fully-loaded Falcon 9 on the fucking surface.

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mk · 2704 days ago · link ·

I was looking at the Kerbal calculator, but decided it would not be a rational time expenditure atm.

Here's a less "Red" solution: Drop a hydrogen bomb on Mars, and skim a return spacecraft through the dust cloud. :)

+discuss+discuss

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kleinbl00 · 2704 days ago · link ·

About 20 years back I read an article in Analog proposing that terraforming Mars could most easily be effected by causing an artificial greenhouse effect via carpetbombing the place with millions upon millions of megatons of thermonuclear weapons.

It'd sure free up some sequestered oxygen and nitrogen, you betcha.

+discuss+discuss

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user-inactivated · 2703 days ago · link ·

That'd be a (very expensive) way to dispose of nukes without worrying about NIMBYism, at least.

+discuss+discuss

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kleinbl00 · 2703 days ago · link ·

Yes. I have seen similar proposals to dispose of nuclear waste by launching it into the sun.

what could go wrong