Mars is expected to launch its Earth II space probe in the next few days sending four life-forms to the Moon where it hopes to establish a permanent lunar base once planning permission is sorted.
The ultimate aim is to use a Martian presence on the Moon to launch an ambitious mission to Earth where Mars believes there may be life, apart from the region known as Crawley.
A trip to Earth presents many obstacles for the Martian life forms. Chief among them is the weather. On Mars the temperature is a steady minus 80-degrees Fahrenheit. It is nippy. But at least you can rely on it. On Earth, the Martians are going to have to put up with a high degree of unpredictability. Some places are hot and dry; in others it’s tipping it down. This will affect what clothes they bring, with most experts saying they’ll have to prepare for all eventualities. As NASA likes to put it “four seasons in one day”.
Whatever the weather it’s a crowded launch schedule across the universe, with Easter coming and the ongoing disturbances in the Gulf. By coincidence, Earth is launching its Moon probe Artemis II on 1 April (was this a good idea, commentators have asked), and in a nice gesture Artemis will carry parking permits, both half-day and whole day, for a celestial handover of friendship in case the two craft meet.
image from pixabay
