The Martian Chronicles, 5

What’s going on over at Popular Mechanics ?

First, the magazine rains on the idea of using the international space station as an interplanetary vehicle (an idea I had applauded ).

Then, on the unveiling of Richard Branson’s much-ballyhooed space-tourism plane, the magazine runs a slightly negative review —which, in the Popular Mechanics context, is an extremely negative review.

Unfortunately, the arguments look pretty convincing. Or, at least, I’m convinced. But we do need something to revitalize the human imagination with the dream of space. And the new headline in Discover magazine, ” Mars Phoenix Lander Wrestles With Sticky Dirt ,” just isn’t going to do it.