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Movie 'The Martian' Preview is out

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Re: Movie 'The Martian' Preview is out
Post by DDHvi   » Sat Oct 24, 2015 11:44 pm

DDHvi
Captain (Junior Grade)

Posts: 365
Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2014 8:16 pm

Read "The Cold Equations" back when, in Astounding, I think. Just got "The Martian" from the library, will read when there is time. TCE makes the point that you must work within the limits of what is actually possible, and when you try to avoid that, reality BITES :!: Often lethally.

A general comment: There is way too much tendency to think that just wanting to do something makes it possible. From a few quick glances, I suspect Weir's book at least points out the need for some work and planning.

We didn't get air travel by wishing.

BTW, I suspect the greatest danger for in-system space travel on the inter-planetary scale will be radiation. I recall one story where the IP ship was designed so the hydrogen fuel tanks would reduce radiation exposure until they were too empty.
Douglas Hvistendahl
Retired technical nerd
ddhviste@drtel.net

Dumb mistakes are very irritating.
Smart mistakes go on forever
Unless you test your assumptions!
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