08 Dec 04
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It could not be done better by robots alone then it could be done by robots and humans both. I think at some point these explorations will happen, and will provide great benefits to humanity. Is the timing right? I don't know, but I can buy that it is a good time. I support him in this.
It might create an economic boost, instead of being a waste of money.
09 Dec 04
I agree with AThousandYoung on this one. The long term point of all this is to eventually put men into space, to find life beyond our planet, and to find other inhabitable worlds so that when our sun goes super nova we will have cheated the hangman by relocating elsewhere. That and gaining a little extra knowledge along the way. But in the short term, the money might be better used elsewhere.
09 Dec 04
Originally posted by rwingettIsn't Mars a RED planet anyway and thus would be a suitable outpost for JesusLand? I'll bet people on Mars get a congressman before people in DC do!
I agree with AThousandYoung on this one. The long term point of all this is to eventually put men into space, to find life beyond our planet, and to find other inhabitable worlds so that when our sun goes super nova we will have cheated the hangman by relocating elsewhere. That and gaining a little extra knowledge along the way. But in the short term, the money might be better used elsewhere.
09 Dec 04
I think you'll find that "his" plan was just a typical pre election statement , its an easy points winner..
Nothing is going to happen re manned misson to mars for at least 10 years.
And surprisingly enough.. his father said pretty much the same thing towards the end of his first term!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3381531.stm
09 Dec 04
Originally posted by KneverKnightKnever,
What do you all think of President Bush's plan to send manned vehicles to the moon and Mars? With advances in robotic vehicles, is NASA being forced to throw money away on missions that could be better and more safely done by robots?
I enjoyed your and Robs replies.
I think Rob has a point about it being a waste of money at this time. And you must realize that this is my dream, to get the human race into space where it belongs.
The reason going to mars is not right at THIS TIME is simple. The real problems keeping us from space are MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT.
We need some substance that can be cast or carved with laser energy that will allow safe containment of a nuclear rocket pre-burner and nozzle.
Then we can SAFELY use fission to develop a DC-3 for space. A vehicle that takes off from any airport and delivers two tonnes of freight to Low Earth Orbit. LOE
Once in LOE for about ten dollars per pound we become a civilization in space. Nothing will or can stop us then.
So if you want to become a billionaire, study ceramics. That is what will turn the tide.
09 Dec 04
Originally posted by StarValleyWyI think you are on to something there; IMHO, I think we do need to go and explore space, but at this time I fear that manned exploration is premature without advances in getting to orbit. We do have robots that can scout ahead right now, and these robots were developed at a time when NASA's budget was less than it was during the glory days of the Appollo missions. Given NASA's budget constraints, I think we'd get more bang for the buck by sending robots.
Knever,
I enjoyed your and Robs replies.
I think Rob has a point about it being a waste of money at this time. And you must realize that this is my dream, to get the human race into space where it belongs.
The reason going to mars is not right at THIS TIME is simple. The real problems keeping us from space are MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT.
We need ...[text shortened]... hen.
So if you want to become a billionaire, study ceramics. That is what will turn the tide.
If there is some major advance in rocketry that allows a true heavy-lift capability for a reasonable cost then by all means send humans and their heavy life-support systems.
BTW, there was a rocket designed, I think called Orion, that would have dropped nukes out the back to propel itself to orbit. It would have been the size of a battleship, but of course never got off the drawing board.
09 Dec 04
Originally posted by KneverKnightOrion was an Arthur Clark invention.
I think you are on to something there; IMHO, I think we do need to go and explore space, but at this time I fear that manned exploration is premature without advances in getting to orbit. We do have robots that can scout ahead right now, and these robots were developed at a time when NASA's budget was less than it was during the glory days of the Appol ...[text shortened]... t. It would have been the size of a battleship, but of course never got off the drawing board.
As was geo-sync sattelite communication.
NERVA was a tested and proven nuclear fission rocket engine.
http://www.aemann.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/spacecraft/nerva/reactor.html
NERVA can be used in two ways. To LEO and then as an ion propulsion source for deep space travel.
But it takes guts. And a material way beyond what was available (titanium) in 1969.
09 Dec 04
Originally posted by StarValleyWyI believe we should push to get robots on Mars and beyond and follow
Knever,
I enjoyed your and Robs replies.
I think Rob has a point about it being a waste of money at this time. And you must realize that this is my dream, to get the human race into space where it belongs.
The reason going to mars is not right at THIS TIME is simple. The real problems keeping us from space are MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT.
We need ...[text shortened]... hen.
So if you want to become a billionaire, study ceramics. That is what will turn the tide.
that up with manned craft. What could be learned there may be great,
and what is learned by trying to reach for such high goals also adds
to our knowledge as well in a variety of areas.
Kelly
09 Dec 04
Originally posted by KellyJayWell said.
I believe we should push to get robots on Mars and beyond and follow
that up with manned craft. What could be learned there may be great,
and what is learned by trying to reach for such high goals also adds
to our knowledge as well in a variety of areas.
Kelly
I do think that we can contribute to human knowledge with robots. And with current technology.
The biggest idea that I have ever come up with was submitted to NASA three years ago when I was helping my daughter with a cub scout "pin hole camera". See internet for details.
It occured to me that a "pin hole camera" in space with an aperature of several meters or tens of meters (see focal length) ... and a detector at many hundreds or thousands of km could image earth sized planets around other stars. Period. We could (with the right optics package) see objects on the 100 meter large scale!!!!
I was robbed of the idea, but that's ok. It will be announced soon. I'm glad.
09 Dec 04
Originally posted by StarValleyWyImpressive
Well said.
I do think that we can contribute to human knowledge with robots. And with current technology.
The biggest idea that I have ever come up with was submitted to NASA three years ago when I was helping my daughter with a cub scout "pin hole camera". See internet for details.
It occured to me that a "pin hole camera" in space with an ...[text shortened]... rge scale!!!!
I was robbed of the idea, but that's ok. It will be announced soon. I'm glad.
09 Dec 04
Originally posted by StarValleyWyAre you familiar with the space elevator, SVW?
Knever,
I enjoyed your and Robs replies.
I think Rob has a point about it being a waste of money at this time. And you must realize that this is my dream, to get the human race into space where it belongs.
The reason going to mars is not right at THIS TIME is simple. The real problems keeping us from space are MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT.
We need ...[text shortened]... hen.
So if you want to become a billionaire, study ceramics. That is what will turn the tide.
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/space_elevator_040629.html