- This topic has 3 voices and 11 replies.
-
Posts
-
I remember in the 1980s my family had an encyclopedia set which I believe was probably from the later 1960s or sometime in the 1970s. One of the things that makes me laugh inside was the conception of space exploration depicted in the encyclopedia. One thing mentioned in it was that by the 1980s the moon or some other planet would be colonized, and it showed an illustration of a guy buzzing around with a lunar jetpack. Here we are over twenty years after that was supposed to come about and we realize that scientists and engineers still have many problems making a suitable landing device for our Mars rovers. It almost seems like technology in space exploration has hit a standstill or has proceeded at a snail's pace compared to what was expected of us in the 1960s. So why was this? Why has actual space exploration fallen drastically short of what was expected or anticipated? Also, did the geopolitical arms race of the Cold War have anything to do with the speed at which the United States was advancing in space engineering and science?
Maybe we are beginning to realize that space doesnt hold all the answers we thought it did.
Actually, I don't think that's the case - or at least as far as space exploration goes. Think about something as common as the cell phone. That's a fruit of space exploration, because it only came about with the use of satellites. I read once that there were like tens of thousands of inventions that came about as by products of space exploration. Just in that, I think it's worth it.
I agree with that, but what I mean is what they thought in the beginning they might find or discover. All the technology,like you said, is a fruit of the exploration.
I think some of the early push had to do with competition with the Soviets, and as such it was placed more in line with defense goals than today's goals. The Soviets were the first to launch a satellite with Sputnik in the 1950s, but the American goal of putting a man on the Moon might have come with the idea of establishing some sort of strategic base or stronghold there. Perhaps it was after the realities of space were discovered the plans for space expansion were put on the back burner. Although the Moon may have been forgotten, satellite technology seems to have thrived; notice this plays a key component in modern military strategy.
I read today that NASA wants to build a permanent moon base by 2024. It amazes me that what was accomplished back in the 1960s needs to be retraced again. The article says it will cost some $100+ billion just to get back on the moon. Did we waste our knowledge gained from early space visits to the moon in the time since? Another interesting part about the article is the following:
Two key themes, according to NASA, were to prepare for future exploration, with Mars the next stop, and expansion of human civilization. Both NASA's science and engineering communities agreed on a permanent outpost, an agreement rare for two conflicting sides of the agency, Horowitz said.
As I have thought, Malthus continues to be an unreliable basis for modern-day policy decisions. As mankind expands, he will invent new technologies to survive and will branch out beyond the earth. "Expansion of human civilization" are not words you hear to often....I like the sound of it in this article.
Costs too much. The Hubble Telescope was adopted to expedite the exploration of space without having to launch manned vehicles out into space that could only go so far from earth feasibly anyway. Telescopes can tell us far more about the universe than one or two guys wandering around on the surfaces of vast planetary bodies.
I am asking thesame question as Phid, Why? We went twice already, what else can we learn? It seems to me the money would be better spent else where.
I think I asked this question of a professor in an astronomy class once, but I can't recall his answer. But what Donnie says is probably exactly it – why send men up when you can send machines?That said, I remember reading that the moon would be great for installing a telescope at, since there is no atmosphere like there is on earth, thereby providing better viewing. Of course, this would entail a large base at which to build the telescope at. I'm sure this is something they'll think of doing in the new lunar complex.A question - do you think they'll put locks on the doors at the moon base? 😕 😕 😕
With no gravity, it might be a good idea…..not security locks of course, but sturdy latches to keep things from being jolted around since the moon's surface is still bombarded by asteroids. With no atmosphere, even small asteroids can pummel the surface.
So you don't think the Chinese might launch into space unannounced and perhaps wonder what's in the Americans' station? Did we learn nothing from Goldie Locks and the Three Bears? 😀 😀
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
