From: chernyshevsky@hotmail.com   
      
   Presumably we'd use a nuclear reactor as the power source. Are we build a   
   generator that can produce a sufficently large amount of electricity without   
   a thermal reservoir to dump the waste heat?   
      
   Uzytkownik "Steen Eiler Jørgensen"  napisal w   
   wiadomosci news:400145a3$0$165$edfadb0f@dread11.news.tele.dk...   
   > Chung Leong wrote:   
   >   
   > > It seems to me that the size of lander would be prohibitively large,   
   > > as the ascent module would need to carry enough fuel to enter into   
   > > Martian orbit. Compared to the Moon's, Mars' gravity is much   
   > > stronger. Mars also has an atmosphere, which means thermo-shieldings   
   > > on both the lander and the ascent module.   
   > >   
   > > The return vehicle would be fairly large too, as it needs to carry   
   > > fuel for returning to Earth. In addition, it would carry the reentry   
   > > module and equipment for monitoring the Martian atmosphere. Even if   
   > > we use two launches, the rockets used to carry them into space would   
   > > be gargantuan.   
   >   
   > Unless you utilize In-Situ Propellant Production. That's one of the main   
   > points in Robert Zubrin's "Mars Direct"-plan.   
   >   
   > Bring along some Hydrogen, which weighs next to nothing. Make it react   
   with   
   > Mars' CO2-atmosphere, creating Methane and water (the Sabatier-reaction).   
   > Electrolyze the water into Hydrogen, which is cycled back into the   
   reaction,   
   > and Oxygen, which makes a great rocket fuel together with Methane.   
   >   
   > --   
   > Steen Eiler Jørgensen   
   > "Time has resumed its shape. All is as it was before.   
   > Many such journeys are possible. Let me be your gateway."   
   >   
   >   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)