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Given that we're dozens of landers down on Mars — many of them modern — and we still have a ton to learn about the soil and history (ie, we are still landing sc
by bpodgursky 6y ago
Given that we're dozens of landers down on Mars — many of them modern — and we still have a ton to learn about the soil and history (ie, we are still landing science rovers there, as recently as this week), it doesn't really make sense to me that a few probes from the 80s have done all the on-the-ground science we want to do on Venus.
- est31 6y agoEven on earth we have still lots to learn about its geology, and 100% of our geologists live on its surface. It never stops. Each answered questions opens two new ones.
- crazydoggers 6y agoIt’s not that we’ve done all the on ground science. It’s that we’ve done the simple stuff that you can do given the conditions. Staying longer and doing more complex science are harder engineering problems. And I’m not saying it’s not worth it... it is. It’s just sometimes learning before you leap is valuable. Let’s say we spend $3 billion on a Venus lander, and it survives 12 hours. Compare that to just the engineering knowledge that was gained from the Curiosity rovers for the same price operating for 5 years. On top of which, humans stepping foot on another planet has incredible value in motivating all of humanity to do something greater. That’s certain to happen on Mars first. Of course I’d love if we did it all together... but you all have to keep calling your Senators to make that happen. :)