This looks very interesting and may answer some of my question that I posted earlier for the Los Alamos Lab article. This also could be a way to also do a sample and return option for Mars. Maybe this should also be explored if it can stop on a dime.

I personally favor an automated 'hot-air' balloon approach to exploring Mars. There are many advantages of a balloon over some kind of drone aircraft in the martian atmosphere.
1)Balloons are more stable when confronted by strong gusts of wind.
2)Balloons dont expend energy constantly to keep afloat, leaving more energy for ground radar and the science package of the probe.
3)Lets face it, they are slower. This makes it easier to keep track of your science package when dealing with such a long time delay. Also, robotic automation is in its infancy, meaning that computers need lots of time to make their own decisions.

I used to hear a lot about a balloon package for Mars. Wonder why the idea fell out of favor? Any ideas?

At the time there were several proposals as I recall; one was an solar powered plane that when it's wings were inflated and sealed to harden so it could fly. I bet if I do a little research I will find the link, and post it later.

here is the link for the plane http://www.space.com/spacenews/spacenews_businessmonday_030519.html
I will find the info on the others soon. I think there were 4 projects for something that NASA was selecting from but I do not recall what at this time.

Thanks Harold!

Troubling and disturbing this is. Military endeavours are going to break this world into pieces.

I think it will be some time until the public will accept nuclear drones flying around autonomously, if they could redirect their military ambitions into human endeavours in pioneering space there just might be hope for us.

Hello skynet goodbye intelligent people and watch the military slowly grab more and more power.

Zach: here are some more site information for Mars exploration pages that I have found that cover the past few years. The last one contains the Balloon concept from 2003.

Red Planet Scouts:
Seeking Unexpected Discoveries on Mars
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/missions/scouting_mars_010419-1.html
Menagerie of Mars Scouts:
Bold New Proposals for Exploring The Red Planet
http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/missions/mars_scout_program_010521-1.html
Aircraft for Other Worlds
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/aerial_off-world_031210.html

>I think it will be some time until the public >will accept nuclear drones flying around >autonomously, if they could redirect their >military ambitions into human endeavours in >pioneering space there just might be hope for >us.

Hey Craig, do a little research then post your opinions. This isn't a reactor in the sense that you are used to. This is an Isomeric battery which starts and stops with the application of x-rays. The heat generated as a result could be used for a lot of things, like generating large amounts of electrical energy, or powering a vehicle, although if it indeed works, the technology is a long way from there. Having an aircraft that demonstrates the technology is a very interesting proposition, and one that the USAF would salivate over. SInce the government is the only organization that could afford it, it makes sense for them to try it out. I don't get the impression that you understand that most of the technology that you rely on and enjoy all day long is a direct by-product of military and non-military government funded research - including space research. They way the world works, and the funds required to do this stuff make it nearly impossible for anyone else to accomplish these technological acheivements.

My understanding is that the material, hafnium-178, is relatively safe, although I wouldn't eat it, but that is true for most of the stuff under your kitchen sink. There are no radioactive materials involved other than the ones that power the x-ray generator.

Mr Wizard, I believe what Craig is saying is that the ends dont justify the means. All concerns about flying 'dirty bombs' aside there are still concerns about privacy and how other countries would react to our flying small spycraft through them.
As for our way of life being supported by military R&D, this is so far from the truth that it sounds insane. Our way of life, meaning the american way of life is shaped by automobiles, capitalism, entertainment, and fast food. None of which have anything to do with military research. Of all the trillions of dollars we have spent our military, what have we really gained? Besides our current occupation of an oil rich country, a soaring national debt, and shattered alliances, not much useful has come from our military. As I have said before, only 1 percent of our military budget could have put bases all over the solar system, not just the moon and mars. When you compare owning the solar system to securing more oil reserves so that we can stay on outdated technology, you being to see the lunacy of our military spending.

Umm, revolutionary power cell is made and the first thing the government can think of is putting it in a remote control plane? HELLO?!?! There is alot more that the military, or even the private sector for that matter, could be playing with this thing for to power other stuff! It makes enough energy to super-heat a helluva lot of air, which would take lots of energy to begin with, AND it can last for months on end. Anyone thought of cars? Spacecraft? Hospital backups? Anything? Nope, just a power cell for a big expensive flying camera. Sure, this is a start, I'm just suprised that something that seems this phenomenal hasn't made headlines yet. Or is it too good to be true? Only time will tell...