Moderator says, "Good evening everyone, and welcome to TIME's forum
on the Pathfinder mission."
Moderator says, "Our guests tonight are Dr. Robert Anderson, Dr.
Anderson is a geologist and a supporting scientist on the Pathfinder team at the Jet
Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. He works with Chief project scientist, Matthew Golombek."
Moderator says, "We are also joined by Leon Jaroff. Leon has
followed Mars very closely for many years. He was the founder of Discover Magazine and has
contributed to many of TIME's cover stories about both space and science."
B_anderson says, "Hello. It's good to be here."
Moderator says, "Let's get a question to you, Dr. Anderson, and
get an update on what's going on."
Moderator presents question #399 from Curious:
Dr. Anderson, what has been the most surprising thing that pathfinder has discovered so far
and what is the significance?
L_jaroff says, "hi, there"
B_anderson says, "I would think that the most impressive thing
we've seen so far is the diversity of the rocks and the landscape."
B_anderson says, "We had hoped that there would be a great variety
of rocks, and there is."
Moderator says, "And is there anything you want to update us on
today?"
B_anderson says, "As far as an update, we want to APXS on yogi,
which is the rock, and find out what its chemical composition is."
B_anderson says, "We hope to do that tonight."
Moderator presents question #401 from Laramie:
Dr. Anderson, what are the first results of analysis of soil and the rocks?
L_jaroff says, "There certainly was a noteworthy first on Mars
today: the first motor vehicle accident!!!"
Moderator says, "Good point, Leon."
L_jaroff says, "(when Sojourner inadvertently climbed on Yogi)"
B_anderson says, "The soil analysis using the APXX is very similar
to what was identified at the Viking 1 and Viking 2 landers."
Moderator says, "I wonder who has the right of way on Mars. Let's
get back to that in a minute."
B_anderson says, "The first analysis of Barnacle Bill has led us
to believe that the rock contains a lot of silica."
B_anderson says, "We believe its composition is similar to a rock
on earth called andesite, but further analysis is needed to confirm this."
Moderator says, "Speaking of Andesite, I think we have someone who
wanted to ask about that."
B_anderson says, "Yes, that's right Leon, we went a little too far
with the rover and put its right wheel up on the rock."
B_anderson says, "But the rover's self-protection sensors stopped
it like they were supposed to."
B_anderson says, "It's not easy driving on the surface of Mars."
Moderator says, "That's one of the more successful aspects of this
mission, would you agree, Leon?"
L_jaroff says, "Yes, and that's why Rob Manning (project
scientist) called it the little Rover that could"
L_jaroff says, "especially considering that it is 120 million
miles away!!"
Moderator says, "Good point, Leon. The evocative metaphors of the
scientists brings up another question."
Moderator presents question #414 from Stamm_time:
For Dr. Anderson: Is everyone at JPL having as much fun and excitement as it appears on
TV? Hope so - it's a great advertisement for recruiting young people into science.
L_jaroff says, "one of the interesting things about the rover:
cost only 25 million to build"
L_jaroff says, "compared to the two Viking biology labs"
L_jaroff says, "each one coast 50 million dollars"
B_anderson says, The fact is that we are probably having more
fun than you can express through television."
Moderator says, "And here's a question for Leon."
Moderator presents question #415 from Stamm_time:
For Leon Jaroff: As a science journalist, can you recall any previous planetary mission
which has so gripped the attention of the world's TV or press? What does the excitement
about pathfinder compare to in your experience?
L_jaroff says, "the coast of the whole double Viking package in
today's dollars would be about 3 billion dollars"
L_jaroff says, "It's comparable to the Viking missions which
landed two craft on the surface of Mars"
L_jaroff says, "but for sheer excitement, the Apollo moon landing
takes the cake"
B_anderson says, "I would agree with that, since it involved
humans."
L_jaroff says, "if the TV interviews with the bright young
scientists, if they give lie to the charge that the new generation of young Americans is fat
lazy and spoiled, these guys are a real inspiration"
Moderator says, "Thanks, Leon. Let's get back to an audience
question."
Moderator presents the speakers with question #393 from Mjcar54:
Dr. Anderson, last year NASA claimed to have found the remains of some type of organisms
on an asteroid in Antarctica. Do you expect or hope to find anything similar in the area
around Pathfinder? What do you estimate the possibility of that as being?
B_anderson says, "Well, the meteorite found in Antarctica, Allen
Hill's 84001, does show something that might indicate life."
Moderator says, "Leon, I'll want you to answer this too."
B_anderson says, "Pathfinder's mission is designed as a geological
mission. We do not have the capability of looking for
life, especially life that's so small as may have been identified in 84001."
B_anderson says, "Preliminary results from Barnacle Bill do
provide evidence that the SNC meteorites are Martian, just as scientists had predicted."
Moderator says, "Anything to add, Leon?"
L_jaroff says, "Yes. If Pathfinder discovers any evidence that there
was standing water on Mars for a very long time, it would raise our hopes that life might
have begun to develop on Mars"
Moderator says, "Let's try and get a related question to you
both."
Moderator presents question #404 from Laramie:
Is there any possibility that life could exist in water underneath the surface of Mars?
Moderator says, "Dr. Anderson, why don't you respond first"
L_jaroff says, "That certainly is one thing that future missions
are going to look for."
B_anderson says, "Life on earth has a tendency to form in places
that scientists never thought it would. Although we have no evidence to support that
idea, there is also no evidence to rule it out."
B_anderson says, "What we do know is that life probably cannot
exist on the surface of Mars at this time, due to the large amount of ultra-violet radiation
that reaches the surface."
Moderator says, "Leon, you had something to add, I'm sure."
L_jaroff says, "No thanks, Dr. Anderson covered it well"
Moderator says, "OK, thanks. Let's go on to the next question."
Moderator presents question #418 from Sswoody:
Is the Pathfinder mission laying the groundwork for future human exploration of the Red
Planet? And what is your best guess as to when that may happen?
B_anderson says, "Yes, it is. Pathfinder is the first mission to try
to
characterize the surface and atmosphere of Mars using robotics."
B_anderson says, "There is a lot of information that we need to
obtain before we can send humans into the harsh environments of mars. No American wants to
send astronauts in harm's
way."
B_anderson says, "So we are the first of ten missions culminating
in 2005 to try to understand the Red Planet."
Moderator says, "We are talking to NASA geologist Dr. Robert
Anderson and to TIME's science writer Leon Jaroff"
B_anderson says, "My own opinion is that humans might walk in the
surface of Mars sometime between 2020 and 2050."
Moderator says, "Leon, let's get a follow up question to you."
Moderator presents question #425 from Stamm_time:
For Leon Jaroff: Given all the excitement generated by Pathfinder, do you think the
political climate is ripe for NASA to return to requesting funding for really big-ticket
items? Like putting a man on Mars.
L_jaroff says, "I just want to add that I think that it is amazing
that many astronauts have already volunteered for such a mission, despite the danger, and
longevity of such a trip"
B_anderson says, "I don't know how many people have volunteered, but
I'd go!"
Moderator says, "Leon, do you think Pathfinder will pave the way
for this kind of funding?"
L_jaroff says, "No, I would say given the climate in Congress, the
chance of getting any such funding is nil."
B_anderson says, "I think the problem is I'm not sure that one
country can fund a human expedition to the Red Planet by itself."
L_jaroff says, "and I think that I have seen an estimated figure
of $300 billion"
L_jaroff says, "does that figure ring a bell with you Dr.
Anderson?"
B_anderson says, "Yes, and if it does happen, it would probably have
to be
a commitment from several countries."
Moderator presents question #427 from The1wiz:
What are the chances of private funding from corporations during the next couple of
decades?
Moderator says, "Dr. Anderson?"
B_anderson says, "I personally agree that the business sector of
America would have to get involved with such a major undertaking."
Moderator says, "Leon, how would this impact these kinds of
missions?"
Moderator says, "Will we have Bill Gates goes to the dark side of
the moon?"
B_anderson says, "(Laughing) He's probably the one person who
could afford it!"
L_jaroff says, "that would have a significantly better effect
because of how tight Congress is being"
L_jaroff says, "such an infusion of money would be God-sent"
B_anderson says, "That's true but for corporate America to invest
that kind of money, there would have to be something in return."
B_anderson says, "And I'm not sure what that is."
Moderator says, "Someone in our audience thinks they will be able
to."
Moderator presents question #429 from The1wiz:
With the advances in technology that we have seen witness to, the costs of such projects
would almost certainly start to decline. If there is money to be made, ways will be found
by people such as Gates
L_jaroff says, "That something in return would be Tang and Velcro"
Moderator says, "let's go on to a related question."
Moderator presents question #412 from Chatterer:
Who owns Mars?
Moderator says, "Dr. Anderson?"
B_anderson says, "(Laughs) No one owns Mars, that I know of."
B_anderson says, "I don't think anybody owns the moon either."
Moderator says, "Leon?"
L_jaroff says, "Eventually, when we colonize the moon, and start
to look out to other planets, there will have to be some sort of international agreement
but, that's pretty far off."
Moderator says, "Dr. Anderson, one of the issues that has been
raised over and over again is the relatively simple kind of equipment used, and one of our
audience members would like some elaboration, from both of you."
Moderator presents question #428 from Dragonman:
what kind of equipment does the rover carry
B_anderson says, "We've got the alpha proton x-ray spectrometer. Two
black and white cameras in the front and one
color camera in the back."
Moderator says, "Leon, is it true that this equipment is
relatively simple?"
L_jaroff says, "I don't think that the x-ray spectrometer is
simple at all. Most of the equipment is complex, and the rover
it self is beautifully engineered"
L_jaroff says, "yet somehow they were able to bring in the coast
to about 25 million, and for the space program, that's a
bargain-basement price"
Moderator says, "we have a good follow-up for you both."
Moderator presents question #396 from Curious:
This project is a bargain compared with the Viking missions, but people I know still
wonder whether it's worth a dollar for each of the 250 million people in the US. Can you
explain what you think these people are getting for their money?
B_anderson says, "It is very difficult to put a price on science
and research. But let me assure you that every penny of the
250 million was spent on earth. Not a dime was spent
on the surface of Mars."
L_jaroff says, "One thing that we as a nation are getting out of
this, is a great upsurge of interest in science"
Moderator says, "good point."
L_jaroff says, "and if the performance of Pathfinder, and the
bright young scientists who put in together can encourage the nation's youth to become more
interested in science, there will be a substantial pay off in terms of our nations scientific literacy"
Moderator presents question #437 from Stamm_time:
For Dr. Anderson: What would you tell a high school or college student to study if he or
she wanted to get into the space exploration program? Is remote sensing, for example, going
to be in high demand now?
B_anderson says, "Yes, I think so, since that's what my degree is
in!"
B_anderson says, "Once the engineers and astronauts get humans to
the surface of Mars, then the scientists will be the ones who take over."
B_anderson says, "If a young person is interested in going to
Mars, I believe science is the key."
Moderator says, "back to what has been found so far."
Moderator presents question #436 from Dragonman:
there is a rumor that you have already found out that the first rock, Barnacle Bill was
once under water, is that true, and if so how can you tell?
B_anderson says, "Very good question. I believe what you're asking is whether the rock
was carried by water, not formed under water. That's what we predicted in the Ares vallis
region."
Moderator says, "But you aren't sure yet, is that correct?"
B_anderson says, "No, we are pretty sure that the rock is an
igneous rock, we're just not sure of its exact composition yet. Further analysis is needed."
Moderator presents question #426 from The1wiz:
At what depth would liquid water be possible?
B_anderson says, "We really don't know. From the Viking 2 lander we see a feature we
believe is called "patterned ground", which indicates frozen subsurface."
B_anderson says, "If the ground water has the ability to be in the
liquid form, it would probably have to be closer to the equator but at a depth I don't know
of right now."
Moderator says, "are we talking about the possibility of Luray
Caverns on Mars? Leon?"
L_jaroff says, "Let me talk about one important benefit that the
space program may give us one of these days: it might very well give us the means to
deflect or destroy an incoming asteroid that could threaten to wipe out civilization"
Moderator says, "Dr. Anderson, do you agree?"
B_anderson says, "I don't really know."
Moderator says, "Let's get to what many people are really curious
about."
Moderator says, "And this is to both of you. Leon, you should
answer first."
Moderator presents question #400 from Laramie:
Dr. Anderson, do you think there's life on Mars?
L_jaroff says, "Well, all we really have to go on, is the still
controversial evidence disclosed last year about the Martian meteorite. Some believe that
there is evidence of microbiotic life, others believe it just to have been strange
formations of crystals"
Moderator says, "Dr. Anderson do you think there is life on Mars?"
B_anderson says, "The question is very difficult to answer, since
we really have not collected enough evidence, to support or refute the idea."
Moderator presents question #442 from Dragonman:
how do you know if the rock with the alleged fossils came from Mars at all?
Moderator says, "Do we know this, Leon?"
L_jaroff says, "from what I understand, the gases that were
trapped in small pockets inside the meteorite had a composition that was almost identical to the
atmosphere samples the Vikings took on Mars"
L_jaroff says, "That was a pretty strong indication that the
meteorite had originated on Mars, and by the way, that meteorite like the other ones believe to have
come form Mars was largely basaltic, which makes the composition of Barnacle Bill, which
is not basaltic, even more interesting."
B_anderson says, "I agree"
Moderator presents the speakers with question #423 from
Stamm_time:
For both: What should be the primary objectives of the follow-on missions to mars?
Moderator says, "Dr. Anderson?"
B_anderson says, "That's a good question. Mars is a very large planet.
If we were to land several very large planets on earth, it probably wouldn't tell us everything we'd need to
know about the earth."
B_anderson says, "A lot more information is needed about the
surface and climate of Mars, therefore the missions should concentrate on gathering more
data."
Moderator says, "Leon, do we need a manned mission to Mars?"
L_jaroff says, "Certainly some of them should carry
instrumentation that would further look for evidence of Martian life. That's really the
ultimate quest of the space program, to seek out ET life."
L_jaroff says, "In my opinion, no"
L_jaroff says, "because of the huge risks and coasts involved"
L_jaroff says, "Pathfinder has shown us how effective scientific
probes can be"
L_jaroff says, "I think it would be a mistake to rush prematurely
into a manned mission"
Moderator says, "do you agree, Dr. Anderson?"
B_anderson says, "I agree with Leon that the risks and costs are
high. but I do believe that putting humans on the surface of Mars in the future will
eventually be necessary."
B_anderson says, "No matter how sophisticated the machine, the
human being still can gather data that instruments cannot observe, and this will be
necessary to eventually understand the history and formation of mars."
B_anderson says, "But humans are not necessary anytime soon"
L_jaroff says, "I agree"
Moderator says, "We've had a couple of questions about sci-fi and
the themes about humans colonizing outer space and whether it's necessary. Here's a related
question for you both."
Moderator presents question #431 from The1wiz:
If a privately funded company lands a human first, should they have rights?
Moderator says, "This will probably be our last question."
<
L_jaroff says, "What kind of rights?"
B_anderson says, "That's a good point, Leon"
Moderator says, "I think perhaps we're back to the issue of who
owns Mars."
Moderator says, "Dr. Anderson, does NASA have any stance on this
issue. Will an American flag fly over Ares Vallis?"
L_jaroff says, "Here again, I think that this is something
international space law will have to deal with in the future"
Moderator says, "Actually, our questioner has clarified for us."
B_anderson says, "there is a flag on pathfinder, but I agree with
Leon that the future generations will have to answer the question."
Moderator says, "The question referred to planetary resources.
Mining rights, perhaps, etc.,"
Moderator says, "Dr. Anderson, does NASA truly not have a policy?"
B_anderson says, "I am not aware of any policy if there is one.
And as far as mining rights, as I said, that's a question for the future."
L_jaroff says, "Again, it would have to be decided once we get to
that point, it would have to be an international council working on such problems"
Moderator says, "Another questioner asked about the European Space
Agency. Are they involved? is the UN in any way involved in issues of ownership?"
B_anderson says, "I'm sure someone has talked about it somewhere,
but I'm not aware of it."
Moderator says, "Leon?"
L_jaroff says, "as far as I know they aren't, however, they very
well may become the agency that decides these issues"
Moderator says, "OK. Thank you both very much."
L_jaroff says, "thank you in return"
Moderator says, "And thanks to our audience for some really
interesting and provocative questions."
B_anderson says, "Thank you. I'm heading off to work now, for
tonight's downlink."
L_jaroff says, "now I have to get back my story, with its beckoning
deadline"
Moderator says, "Thanks again. Folks, be
sure to check this page and TIME.com for future discussions. Also you can e-mail ideas you
may have to Mary_Jo_Neuberger@timemagazine.com. Thanks."
