Well it is good to see the Mars society doing a project that at least looks at actual use of a space suit of a new design. I hope that they also look at microbe filtering, atmospheric methane and other possible chemical toxic interaction that humans can not afford to come incontact with due to hazardous conditions to health that they could imposes on any space explorers going to Mars.

I also hope that Mars society will stop with their politics and refocus on their real goals. Creating Mars anthems, surveying what kind of person should put the first step on Mars are time wasteful politics. Obstructing NASA about Hubble (if you look at MS site, Hubble now is No.1) in the moment when NASA desperately needs support is non productive. I am asking myself, does MS really want a Mars mission or they just need attention?

i am just as sad as the next man to see hubble being decomissioned, but i whole heartedly agree with harold- now isnt the time to criticize nasa. and, lest we forget, isnt a new space telescope, the james webb, bound for earth orbit next decade? i admit there may be some inbetween time, but i think we can all agree some sacrifices may need to take place for our ultimate goal of mars.

Well, Hubble would be a huge loss and it hurts our sentiments, but let also be realistic. Great Earth based observatories are coming on board (not to speak about the space based ones). Their capabilities will most likely dwarf Hubble before the time of its probable failure. With the new tile type mirrors, with the interferometer technology, and the adaptive optics we may not need Hubble after 5 years. So let just say thank you and good-bye. The shift to this unnecessary discussion only gives fuel to the Mars opponents in the Congress. Also by the time to retire Hubble most likely NASA will have a new administrator who does not take it so personally and the decision could be revised.

The problem with using the James webb as a replacement for the Hubble is that they are not of the same light spectrum. Also there are some delays already on this project. I think Hubble can be saved but NASA needs to step out of the way for other countries and other corporate Aerospace industry leaders to come up with something even if it is manned by NASA astronauts in the end.

Which brings to mind the story or movie I saw some time ago Titled The last Redstone. Ex-astronaut that is rich, collects a capsule of a Redstone from salvage yard, the grandson becomes interested in it as a science project report for school. Teacher visits and gives the ok for a class project to learn about and restore this rocket. Short and sweet they do retro-fit with new computers, hardware and have a launch pad built on the ranch. Nasa has trouble I think with a shuttle or ISS and has no available rockets to bring spare part up. They initially want to take it from them but in learning how much had been overhauled relented to partnering with them and the grandson pilots and rescues the situation. All is good.

This I feel is our current manned exploration program at this time in need of help. Nasa Please accept any and all help from any source Please and thank you.

Ok on a serious note. The sticking point on saving the Hubble and continued use of the Shuttle are kind of married together at this point in that it can only be used at the ISS due to the lack of anyother safe haven avaiability.

Didin't the NAvy build a duplicate Russian power unit add to that a crew habital module and supplies; launch unit into orbit near or with Hubble, now question of safe have is a non problem.