As NASA prepares to send humans to Mars, many are beginning to ponder the variety of ethical and political questions that arise from such an endeavor. With the wealth of other options out there, like Google’s Android Terminator robot, for example, some believe the space agency should be looking to robotics for the future of space exploration.
NOSTALGIC NASA
Some people go see Paul McCartney to hear what little new material he has, but those fans are in the minority. The majority want to take a trip back in time to hear Sir Paul belt out those Beatles tunes they grew up with. This ignites a feeling of nostalgia and nostalgia, as we known can feel amazing. NASA too believes in nostalgia and apparently, it’s the only way they can generate excitement in space travel. In terms of going to Mars, the agency thinks to send a human being up there before a robot would create all kinds of hype akin to the 1969 moon landing. What they aren’t thinking about, however, are the logistics.
HUMANS DON’T NEED TO GO TO MARS
Would it be a feat of man to send one of our own up to Mars? Certainly, and it will happen in due time. However, there is no need for NASA to rush it. The refusal to use robots on the Red Planet will not only put human lives at risk, but it could potentially delay further trips there. Sure, there are certain things the Google Terminator robot couldn’t accomplish on Earth, but is that really worth the extreme costs of not only putting a man on Mars but also bringing them back? Buzz Aldrin thinks there wouldn’t even be a return flight from the-the planet. In other words, NASA would be setting up a suicide mission in the name of science. Surely, there is a better way.
GOOGLE TERMINATOR BOT TO THE RESCUE
Since Google introduced it’s Android Terminator robot to the world, it has gone through a trail of aimless wandering. Google has seemed to all but abandon their robotics division in favor of more profitable ventures but perhaps NASA could bring the Terminator back to life. Google’s Terminator bot may just be the machine needed for Mars exploration. Surely the Curiosity rover is getting lonely up there. Not only would this Android provide some much-needed companionship, but it could conduct experiments that Curiosity is not capable of. Most importantly, it would save the lives of some intelligent astronauts that we need here on Earth.
