and in other news...

[nematoddity]

We landed on Mars! Seriously, I'm not even bothering with links, because the info is EVERYWHERE. Rejoice, for our space program seems to be functioning again! Yay!

And in a bizarre hit of solidarity from the internet, Bobek Ferdowsi, one of the mission techs on the Curiosity project, became a meme no less than an hour after the first livestream of

Comments

[laura_seabrook]

I watched the live feed of the landing on my computer. Of course really the feed was of Mission Control. They were pleased to understate things. :)

[nematoddity]

Indeed. But out of the launch, we have the Rovers themselves sending progress reports via Twitter, a new net sensation on the part of Ferdowsi, and hope for a spacefaring future, once more.

We have everything but the financing, right now, this day, this very hour, to plan a manned, long-term expedition to Mars. We can now grow plants hydroponically, purify waste fluids for both plant watering and human consumption; Mars has a higher level of gravity than the Space Station so there shouldn't be as much bone loss; and we can create domes for housing that will both protect and insulate us from the atmosphere of Mars. Or the Moon, for that matter.

We're ready. We just need to get there.

[laura_seabrook]

I'll be happy for it to happen.