Madam, - John O'Shea of GOAL has raised an important point about the cost of missions to Mars when there are people starving on Earth (January 6th). The benefits of such missions are real, but not immediately obvious.
For example, the radar system on board the orbiter Mars Express is a direct result of the development of earth-orbiting radar satellites.
These satellites have detected ancient river channels 10 to 30 metres below the Sahara desert, providing a focus for surface geophysical surveys to locate sustainable water supplies for communities at risk of extinction from drought and desertification.
As a geophysicist, I have carried out this kind of work at Chinguetti, Mauritania, an important Islamic centre struggling for survival.
Charitable contributions can provide food for hungry people, but science and technology are often required to provide the more important ingredient for life: drinking water. - Yours etc.,
GEORGE A. REYNOLDS,
M.Sc., M.B.A.
Annamoe,
Co Wicklow.