The weekend and I will jump off my high political horse and come down to earth for a couple of days….
If you are an old fart like me then you will remember the words “To boldly go where no man has gone”…..or “space the final frontier”…..or maybe “life here started out there”……that is right the great scifi from days past…..
We are preparing for a trip to Mars…..there is lots of research going on about how to get there and what to do while there and then the trip back….all in all it is said to be a 1 to 1and half year trip, round trip……
Is it possible that the time constraints could be overcome?
Uh-huh…at least so says one scientist……
A century ago, the first transatlantic flight took about 23 days. Soon, we could reach Mars in about as long. The key: perfecting laser technology. NASA scientist Philip Lubin says that by swapping out the current fuel-based rocket propulsion system with one relying on photons would significantly boost our space travel speeds, reports Reuters. Science Alert explains it like this: Particles of light from lasers in Earth’s orbit would reflect off a “large, reflective sail” on a spacecraft and produce a thrust capable of sending it toward a destination at insane speeds. Lubin estimates a 220-pound probe could reach Mars in as little as 72 hours, reports Wired. A bigger, manned spacecraft would take about a month; experts believe the Space Launch System currently in development could take humans to Mars in about five months.
If all that isn’t intriguing enough, Lubin says “photonic propulsion” opens up the possibility of travel outside our solar system, per Space.com. “The human factor of exploring the nearest stars and exoplanets would be a profound voyage for humanity, one whose non-scientific implications would be enormous,” Lubin writes in a study. “There are recent advances that take this from science fiction to science reality,” he adds in a YouTube video. “There is no known reason why we cannot do this.” (NASA says there will be humans on Mars by the 2030s.)
So why not…..Boldly Go?
Now for something extra……
Since early childhood I have been a Formula One fan….especially Ferrari teams……now that is racing!
It is March and next month the F1 season will start…..below is the schedule of races……
THE PROPOSED 2016 F1 CALENDARApril 3 — Australia (Albert Park)April 10 — China (Shanghai)April 24 — Bahrain (Sakhir)May 1 — Russia (Sochi)May 15 — Spain (Barcelona)May 29 — Monaco (Monte Carlo)June 12 — Canada (Montreal)June 26 — Britain (Silverstone)July 3 — Austria (Red Bull Ring)July 17 — Europe (Baku)July 31 — Germany (Hockenheim)August 7 — Hungary (Hungaroring)August 28 — Belgium (Spa)September 4 — Italy (Monza)September 18 — Singapore (Marina Bay)September 25 — Malaysia (Sepang)October 9 — Japan (Suzuka)October 23 — USA (Austin)October 30 — Mexico (Mexico City)November 13 — Brazil (Interlagos)November 27 — Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)
This is racing at its finest……
Enjoy your weekend……