Originally posted by Nulani
The Universe is the future, the Earth is a slowly dying present.
I agree.
And are these robots also ninjas?
EDIT: This is probably the best policy Bush has ever made. I don’t care for the man at all, but we need what’s in space.
Andf everyone here must seek out and read N-Space by Larry Niven. The man had much the same dream of going into space.
In regards to exploration vs home improvement;
If we develop the colonies enough, or even develop sufficient space station technologies, we could cut down on pollution on the earth. Why?
Factories. If their’ producing crap in space, or the moon, how is it going to damage the Ozone layer? Neither have one! When such technologies come around, the government could make the moon/space/maybe even mars a viable place to start moving high-pollution factories too by not regulating the pollution generated by the factories there. Or something, like tax cuts.
Too early? yes. But when columbus discovered america, did it turn into it’s own country overnight? no. But columbus’ discovering it was the first step. Building an expirimental colony would likely be a step in the right direction for the above scenario.
A message, from Ackbar, lord of the squids:
Nevermind, he changed his squid-like mind. Stupid fish!
Robots…they don’t have families, and if one breaks, they can just send another robot to fix it.
Poor robots, treated like expendible items. *Sniff.
I’m just covering my ass till the day when robots become sentient and revolt against such cruel and heartless treatment. Don’t mind me.
Memo to all Mavericks: Nulani’s death is to be instantaneous and painless.
Noted.
Originally posted by IonMage
[b]In regards to exploration vs home improvement;If we develop the colonies enough, or even develop sufficient space station technologies, we could cut down on pollution on the earth. Why?
Factories. If their’ producing crap in space, or the moon, how is it going to damage the Ozone layer? Neither have one! When such technologies come around, the government could make the moon/space/maybe even mars a viable place to start moving high-pollution factories too by not regulating the pollution generated by the factories there. Or something, like tax cuts.[/b]
<img src=“http://www.rpgclassics.com/staff/tenchimaru/td.gif”> That would really be an awesome idea. Except, there is no oxygen on either of those places due to said lack of an atmosphere, thus combustion (high pollution factories) cannot happen. Put it in a dome or whatever, and it’ll eat up the oxygen of the inhabitants like crazy.
I think that when we eventually go to mars it will be using some sort of stasus or suspended animation to keep the crew of the ship alive.
NASA’s next generation of shuttles due to be complete in 2012, the 15 possible designs are the creations of boeing, lockheed martin andNorthorp Grumman. the possible improvements are: a change of fuel to much safer kerosene, lighter craft, list off like a plane, booster rockets that return to earth like a plane safer ( risk of fatal incedent reduced to 1 in 10,000), cheaper ( cost of putting into space reduced to £1,500 per kg). most of the models however are designed for ferrying cargos to the international space station.
Um, on the suspended anamation thing, thats techniclly not possible at the curent moment.
But, yes that has been susgessted, but its only like a 5 year trip there and back.
Originally posted by Green Mage
[b]At the very least, this should draw attention to just how underfunded NASA and the space program has become. The truth is though, there’s just no real benefit to building a moon base or going to Mars. We can’t get any rescources from either yet, as the costs would be too high to transport the equipment there and the materials back. There’s no real scientific benefit to putting people on them either, as both the moon and Mars have been extensively studied by Satillites and robots. Soil composition, atmospheric pressure and moisture, terrain, we can study those things from the comfort of our chairs here on Earth.Until we can drastically reduce the cost per pound of putting something into space, there’s not going to be any real benefit to putting people on the Moon or Mars. And considering that most everyone here already considers the American economy in a hole, I don’t see how anyone can justify this as anything other than wasteful spending. [/b]
Amen.
Originally posted by StarStorm
[b]What would have happened if the King and Queen of Spain didn’t spend any money funding Columbus and just went and improved Mardrid? Madrid wouldn’t have been much better, and Spain would have never seen it’s golden age.We, as humans, are by nature explorers. I don’t see a point in ignoring space to solve the problems on earth: they’er not going to be solved. Not without humans evolving into perfection (how boring). There will always be problems. Deal with it. [/b]
There was an economic advantage to doing so. As things are right now, I don’t think going to the moon will help trade and help people avoid paying tariffs and spend long times at sea. Even with the fact that things didn’t turn out as expected with Columbus trip (America was between Asia and Europe), there was still a lot to gain. Unlike now, unless we make some MASSIVE discoveries on Mars and the moon that make excavation, support, transport economically feasible and useful.
Originally posted by luke skywalker
[b]Um, on the suspended anamation thing, thats techniclly not possible at the curent moment.But, yes that has been susgessted, but its only like a 5 year trip there and back. [/b]
but imagine 5 years worth food and water for at least 5 people.
which is why i think we wont get to mars without suspended animation or a huge leep n rocket technology
For the technical parts: space travel can diminush the pollution on Earth since we can have some sterile planets and moons (like Phobos, for example) as trash depots. Also, many industrial processes may be more efficient in different gravitational fields (crystalization is easier on low gravity). Since a lot of processes may be powered by nuke force, which does not require oxygen, we could, say, have medicine factories on Moon. Transportation of the outcome of these factories, though, may be an issue. At least on Moon they could simply catapult stuff onto Earth.
As for going to Mars: suspended animation as most people think, that is, the full suspension of bodily functions, is being researched right now. I refer to those people who had their blood drained and now have liquid N2 in their vessels, and are frozen in giant tubes awaiting for ressurection in a distant future when we will supposedly be able to thawn them without harm. When we ressurect those people succesfully we can talk about fully suspended animation. A partial one might solve, but it’s still too dangerous. If we are to send people to Mars, it would be better done with the crew awaken - which would require a big ship. Really BIG. However, if I remember well, one of the projects being discussed a few years ago involved a “only” 6 month trip to go, another 6-8 month to come back. Stocking stuff for an year is something harder than we can imagine for the guys at NASA, but it’s not impossible.
As for rocket technology - there are a lot of possibilities that could take men to Mars in that little time (6 months). From ion to nuclear engines, NASA has a lot of things to work on. I have faith in the VASIMR. It won’t be available in less than 100 years, though, maybe even more -_-;
For those who have some spare time, I suggest reading The Mars Direct Plan. Click where it says “sidebar” by the bottom of the text and go read the related articles too.
