Get a copy of What If? 2 and Randall’s other books at: https://xkcd.com/booksMore serious answers to absurd questions at: https://what-if.xkcd.com/Suppose yo...
I find it funny how “we don’t have a spare booster” seemed like a realistic plot point at the time. Given today’s launch market, it seems silly that their only options were “expropriate a booster meant for a Saturn probe” or “beg China for help”.
I love that Randall updated the graphics with new maps including Insight, Tianwen (Zhurong), Perseverance, and… Matt Damon.
The amount of money the US governemnt has spent rescuing Matt Damon from things is staggering.
Hey!, China also helped in the Martian!
I find it funny how “we don’t have a spare booster” seemed like a realistic plot point at the time. Given today’s launch market, it seems silly that their only options were “expropriate a booster meant for a Saturn probe” or “beg China for help”.