I wrote yesterday:

>Bruce asks: 
>
>>Is it a good idea to use organic material (like cork) in an expedition to
>>Mars?
>
>It's only a problem if you get caught. But even then, it's only an eight game
>suspension.

Before anyone writes back indignantly suggesting that I didn't take their
question seriously, it's important to know that the cork isn't going to Mars.
In fact, it won't make it even 0.0001% of the way. The cork is only being used
as an insulating material on the outer skin of the launch vehicle. If the cork
makes it outside the Earth's atmosphere, it certainly won't survive much
further. It will eventually fall back to Earth, incinerating itself in the
process.

NASA takes planetary protection very seriously, especially for anything
destined to land on the surface of Mars.

Wirt ("say it ain't so-sa") Atmar
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