Mars satellites show remains of massive tsunamis that ravaged Red Planet

Scientists think they have spotted the remains of two huge tsunamis on Mars caused by asteroids striking the planet back when it still had water. In a paper published in Nature Scientific Reports, the boffins say pictures from the imaging and radar satellites orbiting Mars show the effects of two separate asteroid strikes on …

[Kharkov]

Isn't it time to start thinking in terms of Human Mission Support?

While general Mars surveys and mapping is a worthy goal, given the lead time for Martian probes and rovers, isn't it time to start planning a mission to survey potential landing sites for the first human landing on Mars?

Ideally, the site would have a range of terrain within a reasonable distance, with a range of geology to study. Water would be present, probably underground, but accessible without too much work, and of course an area of flat terrain for an easy landing.

[Youngone]

Re: Isn't it time to start thinking in terms of Human Mission Support?

I'd be keen on a human mission to Mars, but I'm not sure how popular it would be with the general population.

Also, the waves would be really big on Mars wouldn't they? The gravity is only 0.38 of Earth's.

[Kharkov]

Re: Isn't it time to start thinking in terms of Human Mission Support?

Good surfing though...

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Isn't it time to start thinking in terms of Human Mission Support?

> "Good surfing though..."

Not necessarily. Weaker gravity does make the waves higher, but they are also slower. It might be that such gentle wave riding will be considered "easy beginner" stuff by those who know, suitable for tourists.

[jake]

Re: Isn't it time to start thinking in terms of Human Mission Support?

"Good surfing though..."

No. That would be what we call a "bone yard".

Worse than Davenport Landing, even ... although without the sharks ;-)

[Jeffrey Nonken]

Re: Isn't it time to start thinking in terms of Human Mission Support?

...Who says there aren't sharks on Mars?

[Mark 85]

Re: Isn't it time to start thinking in terms of Human Mission Support?

Good surfing though...

Perhaps it would have been 3 Billion years ago... today, it's probably sand surfing. Cowabunga!!!

[Sebastian A]

Re: Isn't it time to start thinking in terms of Human Mission Support?

I'm sure that's always in the back of people's minds. We're not going to be able to stay on this particular dirtball forever. Haven't you seen the documentary Wall-E?

[Andy E]

Re: Isn't it time to start thinking in terms of Human Mission Support?

I think we would need to equip and prepare the proposed landing site with supplies before the crewed mission got there. There should be a couple of missions just to test out the robotics and feasibility before we send astronauts. Any failure resulting in deaths would set the program back years if not decades.

[joea]

Re: Isn't it time to start thinking in terms of Human Mission Support?

Yes. And we should start right here on Terra.

Time to give up the tribal/nomadic thinking that allows us to shit where we eat until we can't stand the smell any longer then move on.

Silly species.

[lglethal]

How awesome is Science???

It seems we can spot the after effects of a giant Tsunami caused by a meteorite strike on another planet a few billion years ago. If that isn't the definition of awesome, then I don't know what is!

Someone buy a beer for those Boffins!

[Anonymous Coward]

This is we have no Martian neighnors

General: Asteroid incoming! Lieutenant, call Bruce Willis!!

Lieutenant: Yes sir!....Ummm, who's Bruce Willis?