Taz said:
>But if we ASS U ME that stage 3 is already enroute...
I was trained in the ASS U ME method, but I was also taught a more important method - treat for the worst and hope for the best. We need to proceed as if the MN's arrival is imminent but hope that they will leave us alone for a long time.
I wasn't part of the discussion of turning off the beacon, but it can be turned back on in relatively short order, whereas the living facilities are a longer project. Their absence could be lethal to arriving explorers. Also, the lack of homing beacon will place the arriving astronauts at the 'mercy' of the probes. They should get quite a few "pretty pleases" and possibly a few "cross my heart and hope to dies."
Lastly and most importantly: Prioritizing exploration over preparation could have dire effects and we, the MARSupials, would be directly responsible and accountable for such, both morally and legally.
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