Meridiani: why explore someplace new when we've already found the flattest, safest parking lot on all of Mars?
For further information, this site has presentations for many potential human landing sites, including 3 at Meridiani:https://www.nasa.gov/feature/mars-human-landing-site-workshop-presentations
I'm a Mellas Chasma guy. I was converted from being a Hellas Basin guy (such low altitudes means high radiation shielding, easiest EDL, best thermal transfer, lowest day/night temperature variation, possibility of liquid water, and the earliest spot on Mars to exceed the Armstrong Limit once terraforming commences) by the amazing views and Equatorial location.
I had thought more people would be interested in exploring the justifications behind the selection of this site......
Quote from: Dalhousie on 03/13/2017 02:17 amI had thought more people would be interested in exploring the justifications behind the selection of this site...... I am sure interested. But I think we don't have the insight necessary. I know that has not stopped us on other threads but it is really hard for landing sites.I personally am convinced it will be a site with glacial water. Others, like robotbeat think equatorial with water baked out of regolith. Selection criteria of NASA might be very different to criteria of SpaceX. Though thankfully NASA provided tons of data that would help SpaceX finding a site fitting their criteria.
Quote from: Dalhousie on 03/13/2017 02:17 amI had thought more people would be interested in exploring the justifications behind the selection of this site...... I am sure interested. But I think we don't have the insight necessary. I know that has not stopped us on other threads but it is really hard for landing sites.