Life in the Universe

Congratulations to the Phoenix team! It is exciting to read about the apparent discovery of ice on Mars. This has vast implications of course, with one being the possibility that life once existed there.

I firmly believe that there is life elsewhere in the Universe. I believe that we will discover other Earth-like planets in addition to discovering life in remote, hostile areas like Mars.

Now, the question on whether or not Earth has been visited by aliens is different topic. Although an intriguing idea, I am skeptical that we have been visited by other intelligent beings. I myself have seen odd things, including in space, but they have all turned out to be explainable events.

What do you think? Are we alone in this Universe? Will someone invent the warp drive soon and allow us to explore farther with probes and astronauts?

Leroy Chiao

Congratulations, Japan

The Japanese Experiment Module Kibo is now on orbit and installed onto the ISS and activated. Congratulations Japan and their newest astronaut, Aki Hoshide! My good friend Koichi Wakata will be flying the first Japanese long duration flight early next year. Enthusiasm there is very high.

What is the future of government space? China will launch the Shenzhou 7 mission later this year (probably October), after the Olympics. The US will retire the Shuttle in 2010. What will become of the Constellation program and Orion after the elections in November? Countries like Japan and the members of ESA are totally dependent on US and Russian assets for manned access to space. After 2010, the Russians will be the only government game in town, except for China, which has so far been rebuffed in their desire to be an ISS partner.

What does the future hold?

Leroy Chiao