| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 9/18/2007 5:07:40 PM | The really, extremely, most stuptifying endevor was racing to the moon, making it there and then doing what? What did we do with all that scientific knowledge? Why did we not go back there? Why have we not built a small, temporay housing apperatus the astronauts from all the various countries could stay at? We have that technology. The moon isn't plummeled by that many metors that it wouldn't last very long due to flying rock debree destroying it. The astronauts did stay there for a short period in a small ship. Why couldn't we put a larger permanent ship there for habitation for short periods of time? There is a reason why we have not did that through expenses shared by many countries coming together to complete such an endevor. It has been done with the spacestation.
Instead, we now want to travel to Mars to find out pretty much what we already know and to take pictures of what we already have photos of. People want to spend billions of trillions to send a few people to explore to a world where they may not even come back from. They will gather up information already had, hopefully to come back alive and then nothing more shall happen just like with the moon.
Call me old fashioned but I vote we take care of present problems here on earth, like getting a handle on certain dieases and other problems that are killing untold numbers of people before we go for anymore space rides. | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 9/18/2007 5:22:01 PM | | ^^^Yeah, ITZFUN, but we still haven't been back so how do you answer that then? If we did go then what is the point as we really didn't DO anything up there. I agree with the above poster, good intelligent points made by him!!! | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 9/18/2007 5:23:07 PM | SOCIAL WORKERS WENT TO THE MOON,WHEN THEY GOT THERE
THEIR FIRST REPORT BACK TO EARTH WAS ,THERE IS NO CHILDREN ON THE SURFACE OF THE MOON:) | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 9/19/2007 9:35:24 AM | The last time I checked, most people have the ability to consider their place in the universe although some give me doubts. As such, we seek to expand our knowledge in ADVANCE of utilizing what we learn. In the journey, we face technical challenges that in themselves result in advancement. In some cases, it may be a long time, if ever, before we see benefits from reaching our goal. The moon is an example. Now that we are facing fuel depletion and environmental issues from our earth-bound energy sources, it appears the moon may hold a solution. That would intice us to seek colonization of the moon where in the past, it was not economically justifiable beyond the gathering of knowledge and the benefits derived from tackling technical problems. Perhaps the more dauting challenge is political. Masses of self-centered people cannot visualize beyond the present and would prefer padding their own nest instead of considering the future of mankind. If you pay people to be poor, plenty will take the job. If you pay people to have babies they cannot or will not support, they will make them. In short, if people are "programmed" to accept a mildly comfortable trip through old age to the grave, they will buy a ticket. It is to mankind's benefit that nature will rebel against this species stagnation but unfortunately, the tendency clearly remains with us.
Ouyang Ziyuan from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in charge of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program stated that one of the main goals of the Chinese moon program would be the mining of helium-3, from where "each year three space shuttle missions could bring enough fuel for all human beings across the world." Do you figure China would respect the western ideal of human rights or international "ownership" of the moon? Russia has a similar goal but does not see a financial way to acheive it. The US has stagnated with political power in the hands of those preferring to "answer immediate needs at home". Being as my audience probably has glazed over eyes already from their distaste for physics, the details of the technology will be ommitted. Note that about a decade ago, our leaders gave much of our space technology to China and China's economy is booming thanks to our purchasing of poisened pet food and toothpaste, dangerious tires, and leaded toys from illegal aliens at Walmarts across the country.
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 9/19/2007 5:06:28 PM | I do have to agree with some posters on here...we don't need a "footsteps and flags" mission anywhere. We DO need to set up a viable community, and keep it running until it can be self sufficient.
Otherwise, it is a waste of money time and effort.
The US got there first, just to show the Russians that the "high ground" could be reached. Perhaps just "showing off" a bit. People were really interested to see what was going to happen next. Some senator went apesh*t and really ruined it for everyone else. Now...it's tim for a comeback. Only this time...do it right. | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 9/19/2007 6:47:50 PM | | There were many things done right back then. Multiple missions to differing places with hundreds of pounds of samples returned and instrument packages left behind, some still in use today. Moon samples are still being studied as the technology to study them advances and new potential uses found. The comments about Helium3 are just such an example of something that seemed unimportant at the time but now could be very important and without the samples, the value of the moon as a potential source of energy would not be known. I doubt the moon could have been reached at that time without the competitive environment. The technology was pressed to its limits. Since then, the space program has become bureaucratic where "management decisions" and politics overrule technical judgment and people died because of the arrogance. | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 9/19/2007 10:11:17 PM | "Call me old fashioned but I vote we take care of present problems here on earth, ..."
No, that's way beyond "old fashioned!" It's downright anti-progress! It's also a variation on the 'crabs in the bucket' mindset, whereby when one member shows a bit of initiative and starts to get a leg up on the others, they all try to pull him back down to their level.
The nonsense about how we should "solve all the problems here on Earth" is just so pathetically misguided. To paraphrase the Bible, we will ALWAYS have the poor; the sick; the underprivileged; and if we wait until everyone is taken care of, then we're doomed. Any civilization that wants to progress simply cannot afford to continually cater to the lowest common denominator.
Seems to me that all those who complain that the space program is a waste of time and money should volunteer to stop using their cell phones; microwaves; satellite TV; and any number of other spinoffs from the program. | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 9/19/2007 10:12:37 PM | | To quote a famous line "To bodly go where no man has gone before." Yes space exploration is still a very necessary. There is so much to gain from space. So many things that we either do not know or only suspect. Man from the begining of time has been an explorer so it would seem only joust to continue that legacy. Not too mention a lot of our present tech was developed in conjunction with space exploration. The real question should be do we still need NASA? Thats the 24 million dollar question. | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 9/19/2007 10:56:37 PM | "No, that's way beyond "old fashioned!" It's downright anti-progress!"
Well grog it depends on your definition. If you think it is non-progress to divert trillions to hundreds of trillions from space exploration that goes beyond our outter atmosphere for a decade or two so that all that $ can be rerouted to discovering a "possible" cure for aids and various cancers and such, then to you that is not progress.
No one is talking about curing the world. But finding a cure to a few notorious diseases that plague children to older people would be nice.
People will always debate many issues, including space exploration to the Moon, Mars or any where else.
But people have never debated whether it is right or wrong to find a cure for a disease. Especially those that are living with one that will kill them sooner then later then if they didn't have it at all.
Consider the information the Hubble has given us. Now consider if the next batch of $ to be sent on a rover to Mars was spent to build a better Hubble or a couple of them with variables in scopes for what they see and analize.
Consider if we quit eyeing Mars and we eye the Moon for further research and developement of minerals and make it the first rock other then the earth to house powerful telescopes to view the heavens by with remote technology like the Hubble. | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 9/20/2007 8:29:54 AM |
People will always debate many issues, including space exploration to the Moon, Mars or any where else. But people have never debated whether it is right or wrong to find a cure for a disease. Especially those that are living with one that will kill them sooner then later then if they didn't have it at all.
And how many billions of dollars have bene generated for Muscular Dystrophy in the last 40 years - if not a trillion? What has become of that? Nada. No cure. Hell a LOT less was spent on Polio and a cure was found. Same with Smallpox.
Besides, look at who controls the drugs that the folks who need a cure for disease - huge multi-national pharmaceutical companies that charge exorbitant prices for their R&D then want to pass on those so-called costs (which are paid for by the Federal government!) to the consumer!
Nice rhetoric about spending our resources here on earth to help your fellow man. Bullsh*t and poppycock!
You know, you nor I would be living here in America if it had not been for governments financing exploration of the known world. The king of Spain was looking to fill his coffers with gold from the new world which most of his detractors said was silly because the earth was FLAT and Columbus' ships would fall off. One could say the same argument is being put forth here by pundits against space exploration when we have no idea of whethere or not life exists out there on (or inside) other worlds.
Consider if we quit eyeing Mars and we eye the Moon for further research and developement of minerals and make it the first rock other then the earth to house powerful telescopes to view the heavens by with remote technology like the Hubble.
The idea has merit and should be looked into. I'm not sure why there can't be a full blown manned observatory so that a crew could stay there and study the heavens and astro physics as well as mine some of the minerals the moon offers. | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 9/25/2007 9:35:12 AM | I think SE is even more important now. Where else are we going to find a place to put all our crap once we overhwhelm our landfills?!??!?
Seriously though.. I used to hate the idea of billions of tax $ going to space research when there are so many people living in squalor all over the world... BUT I think finding out more about the universe and our place in it might actually help bring the long-needed unity to the human RACE we need.
I am bothered however that they seem to be hiding something about what they are finding up there: http://youtube.com/watch?v=As-wYmFYb3I
This is video of a part of (tether) one of Nasa's shuttles that had to be released into space that seems to conjur up some very strange objects in the aftermath.. objects that were also seen in video from amateur video clips on earth. WTF??? | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 9/29/2007 12:51:41 AM | Not really, I've personally discovered Loads of space using a cheap pair of Binoculars
I got from a car boot sale... I can Unequivocally say It's Big, you might think a
Football stadium is Big, But space is really, really Big... I might buy a Telescope
and find / explore a bit more space; but by nature space is quite boring to look at...
Unlike matter which you can claim for your own... Apparently if you put a pole with a
flag on it and your the first to do it!!, That becomes your forever... or until some-one else
has a bigger pole and better motif... or a Big GUN...!!!
Dam hard to claim space in the same way, Flags would just drift off, without a flag No
One is going to take your seriously... I guess you could Make a really, really Big balloon
on a tether..... In space... with the words,
"Keep Out...."
America's already doing this, called the Star Wars projects... Not to be confused with
The Alan Parson's Project, although one of his Albums is called Eye in the Sky:
I thin that just abut concludes it for SPACE...
Next week I'll be discussing : Jam Making, when to use Gelantine / when not too... | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 9/29/2007 9:27:59 PM | "If you think it is non-progress to divert trillions to hundreds of trillions from space exploration ..."
Well, first of all, if you want your arguments to be taken seriously, you'll have to stop using fictitious numbers. I would LOVE to see where your "trillions to hundreds of trillions" figures came from.
"But people have never debated whether it is right or wrong to find a cure for a disease."
And nobody is debating it here, either. What's your point?
"Consider if we quit eyeing Mars and we eye the Moon for further research and developement of minerals and make it the first rock other then the earth to house powerful telescopes to view the heavens by with remote technology like the Hubble."
Consider that that would involve...drum roll, please....SPACE EXPLORATION!!!!
Case closed.
NEXT!.... | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 10/1/2007 12:15:10 PM | Further exploration, of our solar system, is not necessary. The exploration of our solar system will be complete when the probe to pluto gets there in the year 2015. Any other exploration, of our solar system, will just be duplicating what we already know. 1. we have perfectly preserved moon rock samples, of every kind that is on the moon. 2. we have perfectly preserved mars rock samples that have been dated and classified to the correct date. 3. all of the knowledge gained from these samples and telemetry from the probes that were sent out are completly open to scruteny by the international scientific community. 4. what the scientific community lacks and needs desperatly is not more information about our solar system, but a provable and plausable theory or scientific model, that can explain the origin(s)/evolution(s) of our planet earth and moon and all the planets in our solar system as a whole.
If you would like to learn more about the possible competeing theories for the moon's origin in the age of the "late heavy bombardment" 4.5 billion years ago, then try reading the book titled "The Big Splat, or the Origin of the Moon" by Dana MacKenzie. In the book it puts all 5-6 theories to task for each's failings when ten different tests are used to judge different aspects of what we now know about the moon. And guess what? All 5-6 theories fail. So you know how long the scientific community has been sitting on all these failed theories? Since 1973-4, the last moon landing was in 1972. So you know what they have been doing for all these years? Take a big flying guess, computer simulations of possible orbits and explaining away all contrary evidense with "magma oceans". Your tax dollars at work. | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 10/1/2007 12:25:59 PM | | And guess what America has gotten for all of our patrontige to the International Astronomical Union and the corrupt Acedemic hegeminy of the Cornell - Harvard "mafia"? One less planet for our solar system. They decided to vote away a perfectly good planet, pluto, which by the way has not one, but three moons. Your tax dollars at work. | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 10/1/2007 3:10:14 PM | I think space exploration is very necessary, but the way it is currently being done by most countries is a huge waste of money. At this stage, most manned missions are foolish because they are much more expensive than robotic probes and satellites sent to study other planets and moons. You get much more scientific bang for your buck at this stage with unmanned exploration.
The space shuttle is a huge waste of money when you consider almost everything they have done in the past 20 years could have been accomplished by a single rocket for a fraction or the cost and much more reliably. Any manned mission to Mars at this point would not really do much more than can't be accomplished by rovers at a much cheaper cost.
Manned space flight is inevitable and will be needed at some point, but there is A LOT of basic science that could and should be accomplished before we get to that stage. Mars isn't going anywhere, so why the rush? Everything from exploring, to studying the soil, returning samples, etc., can be accomplish real cheap with a robot when compared to manned flight. We will eventually send manned missions to Mars, but at this stage I think from a fiscal stand point it is too early.
The space station could accomplish most of the scientific questions regarding manned flight for the foreseeable future, plus provide the platform for studying long term effects of space flight. Any manned missions beyond that are a waste of money right now.
Two things need to happen to open up space exploration... Private industry needs to get involved instead of just government programs (which is starting to happen now) to bring the costs down a great deal and most government programs need to focus just on the science and not the 'status symbol' part of their programs. | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 10/1/2007 3:15:34 PM |
But people have never debated whether it is right or wrong to find a cure for a disease.
You don't follow politics or know much about religious history, do you? | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 10/2/2007 11:46:42 AM | | When you say [I think space exploration is very necessary] does that mean only the space between earth and the varius telescope's and observational satellites that only peer into deep space without telling us squat about the asteroid belt, that could one day destroy us all? What ever happened to the 1970's dream to build a radar telescope/pulse-array on the far side of the moon, so as to be immune from the radio and electronic pollution from the earth? Wouldn't such an array be able to instantly survey the asteroid belt with real-time accuracy, instead of the pathetic astronomy watcher clubs that can only see as far as a asteroid that is already passing by earth? And why does the bush administration want to build a colony only on the moon's south pole? Isn't the moon's south pole hopelessly exposed to the earth's electronic pollution? And if he's only looking for water in our solar system, like he says, then why doesn't he ask the congress to pay to build super-massive solar thermal desalinating farms, that can desalinate the earth's oceans in order to provide fresh water to people? Do you think he ever asked himself that question when he's standing for the photo op in front of a government-bankrupcy owned solar thermal farm in the western united states? What do you think people? | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 10/3/2007 11:25:46 AM |
And why does the bush administration want to build a colony only on the moon's south pole?
Continuous solar power. Continuous communication with Earth. Viable geographic trajectory for electromagnetic return launcher. Base for mining Helium3 as a fusion fuel supply for a clean energy source for Earth's civilization. There are probably many more reasons but that is few. Do you figure Bush dreamed this up on his own?
Instantly survey the asteroid belt? Every motion and mass of every body in the belt and any comets that would inteact with it need to be critically mapped over some time period to predict future threats to earth.
Do we live and exist to send our machines on great adventures or should we as humans and indeed representatives of life on Earth, embark on great adventures? | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 10/3/2007 8:07:49 PM | Hello all- I am heavily involved in space exploration myself. We need to go and explore. To develop bases on The Moon and Mars, to commercialize space and get tourism going so we can all expeerience the wonders of the Universe.
I have experienced weightlessness myself and loved it. I have driven the Mooncar, and been in a spacesuit.
I hope you all will soon
Peace-
Dr. Jim Busby | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 10/4/2007 10:06:38 AM |
or should we as humans and indeed representatives of life on Earth, embark on great adventures?
I wonder if lemmings tell themselves that before they jump off a cliff? And shouldn't the main and only reason to colonize the moon be to protect the earth from impact/anialation? Do any of the so-called international moduales of the space station have a single cintilla of telescopic equipment, besides the docking rangefinder? Do you know what they do up there, in their fancy million dollar moduales? Try growing zero gravity wheat grass and fruit flies. woopidy doodaa. Oh and don't forget the television interveiws for school kids so that they can ask a question of a real-live astronaut. You tax dollars at work. | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 10/4/2007 3:19:36 PM | | Oh and dont forget you lemmings claimed the earth was flat just a few years ago, and oh you lemmings can't do simple math and realize were at 6 billion human lives standing here now and in the time it has been since you lemmings screamed the earth was flat, were gonna be needing a new something to stand on or were gonna be standing in our own dodo. Bless those who have the foresight to dream into the future so that we one day we can look back at earth from the heavens as the garden or homebase where it all began. | |
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| Is space exploration still necessary??
Posted: 10/6/2007 1:05:58 PM |
so that we one day we can look back at earth from the heavens as the garden or homebase where it all began.
I never knew lemmings loved hopscotch as much as jumping off cliffs. Just think the the photo-opportunities......oh yeah, we already did those, duh. Oh and that pesky need to do actual science in space, who needs that when the government can just send probes everywhere and ignore the need to solve complex celestial mechanics. Wheat grass and fruitflys will placate the lemmings, so that the fearless leader can get elected. Oh joy to the cabal. | |
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