File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20061108/sc_space/deathofaspacecrafttheunknownfateofcassini

An interesting article about NASA trying to figure out what to do about the Cassini probe. They thought about crashing it on one of Saturn's moons, but they're actually worried that any microbes that survived on it might contaminate and thrive on another world.

Think about it - there may be no life on other planets or moons out there, but that doesn't mean we're not planting it there, if we haven't already with the other probes sent before.
>> Anonymous
who cares if we contaminate a lifeless ball of rock? WONT SOMEONE THINK OF THE MICROBES!?
>> Anonymous
More like they're worried if they detect life later, they don't know if it was originally there or not.
>> Gunlord !.YMO7aNBcQ
Out of curiosity, how come they don't try crashing the probes into the sun? Nothing would be able to survive that sort of heat, and microbes certainly wouldn't be able to take root in a big burning fusion reaction...would they? o_o
>> Anonymous
>>47021
Because the dirty truth is that the sun is close to critical mass. If you add anything to it, however small, it might explode. That is why they are so keen on exploring space, so that they can find a new home for humanity. Of course, all this has to be kept secret, so as not to cause panic.
>> Anonymous
Contaminate it.

WE WILL BE GODS TO THEM!
>> Anonymous
>>47023
I hear the only ppl they're going to save is Jeb Bush and 100 women.
>> Anonymous
>>46996but they're actually worried that any microbes that survived on it might contaminate and thrive on another world.

They're worried? I'd be JUBILANT if I kick started life on another planet.

I'm sure most of us would like to thank the bumbling alien scientist that sent his microbe-infested probe crashing into Earth.
>> Anonymous
>>47021

Because the sun is in the opposite direction of most probes and/or they don't have enough propellent to get there. A Mercury probe, sure. A Saturn probe? Do you even realize the distance you're talking?

Why not just dump it into Saturn?
>> Saturnymous
>>47026

I for one welcome our new human overlords.
>> Anonymous
They should try parking it in the L4 or L5 Point between Saturn and Titan. It would last for thousands of years there, and maybe future generations could eventually recover it and put it in a museum.
>> Anonymous
>>47040

You got to get through the rings. Not exactly easy and brings the risk of losing control. If it gets destroyed in the rings you defeat the point of avoiding contaminating other places.

NASA has been avoiding moons/worlds that could contain life for awile. They have sent probes into Jupiter to avoid ruining any prospect of life on the moons around Jupiter. Remember, these probes use some toxic stuff to power them.

Only with Saturn not only do they not want to destroy any life that may be on some of these moons they're also worried they could start life.
>> Anonymous
So, why has no one sent anything up to drill through the ice crust on Titan and get to the water below?

Probably a good chance there's some sort of primitive life in that water.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>47077

Maybe it isn't that easy.
Picture related.
>> Anonymous
>>47076Only with Saturn not only do they not want to destroy any life that may be on some of these moons they're also worried they could start life.

LOL.

I can understand being cautious of Titan, due to the radiation source in the probe and possible life there, but the other reasons are pure bullshit. Different chemical environment for starters.

Bringing a radiation & heat source there is very likely going to attract and sponsor new life and function as it's energy source. The place is big enough to withstand one probe. IMHO, they should just land the probe on the surface as safely as possible and observe and see what happens in it's vicinity during the years that follow. I think it would be the most interesting option and experiment we can make, taking the most use out of the probe, rather than just dumping it.
>> Anonymous
who the fuck cares about a couple single celled organisms? as long as we know we wasted SOMETHING, mission accomplished.
>> Anonymous
This is what killed the Cylons.