"First powered, controlled flight by an aircraft on another world."
Technically it is the first powered, controlled flight by an aircraft on Mars. It seems highly unlikely that we are the only species in the entire universe to have developed powered flight. So claiming it is the first on "another world" seems very unlikely to be true even if we do not yet have the evidence to show that.
But until we know otherwise, the record still stands. At the point when we know differently, we'll also have to resolve more thorny issues, such as our arrogant declaration of "Miss Universe" winners.
But until we know otherwise, the record still stands.
Not really because it makes you sound like a little kid saying that something is the "best in the whole universe" while only having a vague knowledge of only a tiny corner of the universe. Records claimed in total ignorance of the competition are not records. This is why we have the Guinness Book of _World_ Records not "universe" or "galactic" records. By your argument, we should start referring to the blue whale as the largest creature in the Universe which is as silly as it sounds.
What about skyhooks? (Score:4, Interesting)
I've had a problem with the "first powered flight" thing.
I'd argue that the Curiosity and Perseverance skyhooks were powered controlled flight.
Also, what about Apollo? And the Russian sample return Luna missions?
What I'd go with is the first powered and controlled flight FROM THE SURFACE of another world.
Re: (Score:5, Insightful)
But it's not just "first powered flight." It is, and I quote, "First powered, controlled flight by an aircraft on another world."
Aircraft. Implying air, and flight using said air as the reaction mass instead of rockets. Rockets and aircraft are two different things.
Really Just First on Mars (Score:2)
"First powered, controlled flight by an aircraft on another world."
Technically it is the first powered, controlled flight by an aircraft on Mars. It seems highly unlikely that we are the only species in the entire universe to have developed powered flight. So claiming it is the first on "another world" seems very unlikely to be true even if we do not yet have the evidence to show that.
Re:Really Just First on Mars (Score:2)
But until we know otherwise, the record still stands. At the point when we know differently, we'll also have to resolve more thorny issues, such as our arrogant declaration of "Miss Universe" winners.
Re: (Score:2)
But until we know otherwise, the record still stands.
Not really because it makes you sound like a little kid saying that something is the "best in the whole universe" while only having a vague knowledge of only a tiny corner of the universe. Records claimed in total ignorance of the competition are not records. This is why we have the Guinness Book of _World_ Records not "universe" or "galactic" records. By your argument, we should start referring to the blue whale as the largest creature in the Universe which is as silly as it sounds.