The case for Mars
by Robert Zubrin · first published 1996
62% recommend34% neutral3% critical
Why HN recommends it
A technically grounded plan for a human Mars mission using near-term technology, including making fuel on Mars, and why Mars beats the Moon for settlement. For technically minded readers curious about colonization.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The Case for Mars is not a vision for the far future or one that will cost us impossible billions. It explains step-by-step how we can use present-day technology to send humans to Mars within ten years; actually produce fuel and oxygen on the planet's surface with Martian natural resources; how we can build bases and settlements; and how we can one day "terraform" Mars - a process that can alter the atmosphere of planets and pave the way for sustainable life.
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Zubrin's "The Case for Mars" is pretty good too (I found the chemistry in it quite fascinating). http://www.amazon.co.uk/Case-Mars-Robert-Zubrin/dp/068483550... However, these days if I ever did end up on Mars (unlikely, I know)…
on “Darwins artificial ecosystem could be key to colonising Mars” ↗Robert Zubrin published a detailed plan for generating rocket fuel on Mars several years ago. His book "The Case for Mars" is a good read. Such a technology really is a game changer for the economics of the mission. And you can send your robotic fuel factory and make sure it's working before you commit to launching people.
on “SpaceX CEO claims he can send you on a round-trip to Mars for $500K ” ↗I highly recommend Robert Zubrin's "The Case for Mars" - you'll be surprised what else is possible on Mars with current technology: http://www.amazon.com/The-Case-Mars-Settle-Planet/dp/1451608...
on “Elon Musk: Vegetarians only on Mars colony” ↗…Perhaps most of all by the inhabitants of Mars. NB I freely admit it having a romantic fascination with the colonization of Mars after reading Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy and Robert Zubrin's The Case for Mars: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_trilogy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Case_for_Mars
on “Elon Musk's mission to Mars” ↗…focus at estimating danger (Challenger, Columbia). But, all these enterprises are risky. If your objective is to avoid it, then you never go anywhere. You can find this and more in Zubrin's book: "A case for Mars", if you're interested.
on “Why There's Still Not a Human on Mars” ↗…colonizing a new world then I suspect we might help things here as well as achieving something wonderful. Edit: "Oh yes. Fuck yes. All my yesses" Can I second this. I remember reading Zubrin's "The Case for Mars" and getting quite enthusiastic about actually being a Martian colonist :-) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Case_for_Mars
on “Making Humans a Multiplanetary Species” ↗Robert Zubrin argues that Mars is a much better target than the Moon. A summary of the argument is in the second paragraph of: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Case_for_Mars#Risks_confro... The full details here: https://www.amazon.com/Case-Mars-Plan-Settle-Planet/dp/14516...
on “Mars likely to have enough oxygen to support life: study” ↗That book is: "The Case for Mars" http://www.amazon.com/Case-Mars-Plan-Settle-Planet/dp/068483... Strongly recommended for all areophiles.
on “SpaceX aims to put man on Mars in 10-20 years” ↗…facilitating even greater fluency with manned spacecraft design, construction, and operation. It is not so terribly difficult to mount a manned mission to Mars as some people seem to imagine. Read Zubrin's "The Case For Mars" to see how it can be done rather efficiently. Given the projected payload capacity of the proposed Falcon XX launcher it would really only take a few launches to get things running. Given that SpaceX…
on “SpaceX aims to put man on Mars in 10-20 years” ↗See "The Case for Mars" by Robert Zubrin (manned landing 10 years from project start, then every 2 years thereafter), or the various hints dropped by Musk in interviews as to his plan.
on “If the Earth were 100 pixels wide” ↗…Zubrin's book [2]. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDWvsdEYSqg (I don't know the copyright status of this, but it's been on YouTube for well over a year with many views). [2] Robert Zubrin. The Case for Mars.
on “UK team designs human mission to Mars” ↗Could not agree more. Reading "A Case for Mars" by Dr. Robert Zubrin, esteemed aerospace engineer and founder of the Mars Society, explains - in every possible detail - the why and the how of settling Mars. Anyone interested in this topic should check…
on “Making Human Settlement of Space a Reality” ↗It doesn't need a moon mission it needs a Mars mission. 'A Case for Mars' by aerospace engineer Dr Robert Zubrin makes clear why Mars is the only destination that makes sense.
on “America Needs a New Moon Mission” ↗The case for Mars by Robert Zubrin, Arthur Clarke - highly recommended for technically minded folks. One of my favorites of 2018.
on “Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?” ↗Mars is a better space body for a colony. I suggest reading "A case for Mars" by Robert Zubrin.
on “China's Moon mission sees first seeds sprout” ↗