Space Exploration
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View Poll Results: Space Exploration
Space exploration is important and should continue 75 91.46% Space exploration is horrible and should be banned 2 2.44% other 4 4.88% neutral 1 1.22%
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Space ExplorationI was on another forum and some idiot who didn't know what he was talking about was ranting about how space exploration is evil and how it's a waste of money and how everyone who believes in aliens is an *expletive* idiot who believes in fairy tales like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. So I ask you this, what do you think of space exploration? I think it's wonderful, I also feel as though more money should be put towards it, as it is the most important government agency there is, in my opinion. I also feel as though we should broadcast more messages into space, instead of just listening for signals. We need a heavily funded space agency that isn't afraid to take risks, and we may even have to combine all space agencies in the world for more adequate funding, personnel, and joint research efforts.
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Re: Space ExplorationUnequivocally, yes.
Because it's next. Because we came out of the cave and we looked over the hill and we saw fire. And we crossed the ocean and we pioneered the West and we took to the sky. The history of man is hung on a timeline of exploration, and this is what's next. -
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Re: Space ExplorationI started a thread a few days back in philosophy 'Imagining the Future' which touches on the same issue.
Regardless of how much we might like the idea of humans exploring space, the facts don't look too positive. Space is an unforgivingly deadly place, it's huge and it's very, very expensive to go there. Only the huge political motivation of the Cold War got the US to put a few men on the moon and they haven't been back since. Space isn't going to ge any less dangerous, we're not easily going to see technology which can reduce light-year distances by any significant margins and if anything, human space exploration is only looking more expensive as time goes on, not less. And, we have to ask, what does it achieve? Seriously, there's very little science in space that can't be done by probes and robots.
As I said in my own thread, I think we've been seduced by science fiction into expecting human space exploration to be the obvious 'next step' but it isn't adding up.Last edited by Oswy; 04-03-2011 at 08:06. -
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Re: Space ExplorationOnce again Oswy, completely agreed.(Original post by Oswy)
I started a thread a few days back in philosophy 'Imagining the Future' which touches on the same issue.
Regardless of how much we might like the idea of humans exploring space, the facts don't look too positive. Space is an unforgivingly deadly place, it's huge and it's very, very expensive to go there. Only the huge political motivation of the Cold War got the US to put a few men on the moon and they haven't been back since. Space isn't going to ge any less dangerous, we're not easily going to see technology which can reduce light-year distances by any significant margins and if anything, human space exploration is only looking more expensive as time goes on, not less. And, we have to ask, what does it achieve? Seriously, there's very little science in space that can't be done by probes and robots.
As I said in my own thread, I think we've been seduced by science fiction into expecting human space exploration to be the obvious 'next step' but it isn't adding up.
Space is interesting and all that, but if people want to go there that badly, they can pay for it themselves. That being said though, sending out orbital satellites has proven massively beneficial to society generally, but I think this could possibly be done privately -albeit possibly at a slower pace- anyway. -
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Re: Space ExplorationGiven the ever-present problem in capitalism, of what David Harvey calls the 'surplus capital absorbtion problem', we're probably going to see increasing levels of investment into capitalist-driven space travel/tourism initiatives. Some companies may see huge investment through this, but I'm highly sceptical that they'll actually be able to deliver profitable returns (it might develop a bit like the Dot.Com bubble which burst in 2000).(Original post by D.R.E)
Once again Oswy, completely agreed.
Space is interesting and all that, but if people want to go there that badly, they can pay for it themselves. That being said though, sending out orbital satellites has proven massively beneficial to society generally, but I think this could possibly be done privately -albeit possibly at a slower pace- anyway. -
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Re: Space ExplorationYeah, it seems like a rather mad venture to me. But suppose if they can get enough rich customers the whole thing could take off; it wouldn't necessarily be bad, just a bit pointless.(Original post by Oswy)
Given the ever-present problem in capitalism, of what David Harvey calls the 'surplus capital absorbtion problem', we're probably going to see increasing levels of investment into capitalist-driven space travel/tourism initiatives. Some companies may see huge investment through this, but I'm highly sceptical that they'll actually be able to deliver profitable returns (it might develop a bit like the Dot.Com bubble which burst in 2000).
The package doesn't sound that appealing, you're blasted up into space at some uncomfortable speed, you go up there, float around for a day or two in a cramped space station, and you come back down. Pay a million quid for that!
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Re: Space ExplorationHey, Richard Branson is already well into the black with his venture into space tourism. Around $250,000 per person per flight, to go up into the extreme edge of Earth's atmosphere and be weightless for around 5-10 minutes. Only four times as much for 48 hours in actual space would be a bargain :P(Original post by D.R.E)
Yeah, it seems like a rather mad venture to me. But suppose if they can get enough rich customers the whole thing could take off; it wouldn't necessarily be bad, just a bit pointless.
The package doesn't sound that appealing, you're blasted up into space at some uncomfortable speed, you go up there, float around for a day or two in a cramped space station, and you come back down. Pay a million quid for that!
Onto the OP's question: Space exploration, since the end of the Cold War, has been a great uniying force accross humanity. If more resources were devoted to it, it may become even more so, and reduce conflict. -
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Re: Space ExplorationIt is vitally important to invest in space exploration, not for the possibility of finding other life but because we will still need mineral resources and the like when we finally deplete what earth has. Once you're out of resources, thats it. It wont matter how much money youve saved up, you cant construct anything out of it. Not to mention if we want to survive for any meaningful length of time as a race, we need to colonise other planets.
Of course a huge amount of investment is required, which is why money must be pooled between the government and private companies as soon as possible to make progress while there is still willingness to fund such projects. -
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Re: Space ExplorationHa. That's what I call getting mugged. So this currently just an overpriced roller-coaster ride... Rather go to Alton Towers!(Original post by MickJB1989)
Hey, Richard Branson is already well into the black with his venture into space tourism. Around $250,000 per person per flight, to go up into the extreme edge of Earth's atmosphere and be weightless for around 5-10 minutes. Only four times as much for 48 hours in actual space would be a bargain :P
Onto the OP's question: Space exploration, since the end of the Cold War, has been a great uni[f]ying force accross humanity. If more resources were devoted to it, it may become even more so, and reduce conflict. -
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Re: Space ExplorationSo when we run out of resources what do we do next? What do we do when the world is completely over populated?(Original post by Oswy)
I started a thread a few days back in philosophy 'Imagining the Future' which touches on the same issue.
Regardless of how much we might like the idea of humans exploring space, the facts don't look too positive. Space is an unforgivingly deadly place, it's huge and it's very, very expensive to go there. Only the huge political motivation of the Cold War got the US to put a few men on the moon and they haven't been back since. Space isn't going to ge any less dangerous, we're not easily going to see technology which can reduce light-year distances by any significant margins and if anything, human space exploration is only looking more expensive as time goes on, not less. And, we have to ask, what does it achieve? Seriously, there's very little science in space that can't be done by probes and robots.
As I said in my own thread, I think we've been seduced by science fiction into expecting human space exploration to be the obvious 'next step' but it isn't adding up.
Fair enough, it shouldn't be done now, but it will be done at some point & how can you justify to say it would never happen seriously? ( your implying it ) -
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Re: Space ExplorationWe'd still be scrawling on cave walls if everyone thought like that.(Original post by GEN.)
Most people will disagree, why? No Jobs, failing economy..you think people want to see the government spend billions to look for aliens that might come here and molest us? -
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Re: Space ExplorationNo, I didnt say we should never do it. But honestly just read for yourself:(Original post by Natsworthy)
We'd still be scrawling on cave walls if everyone thought like that.
That with people starving and without jobs.I also feel as though more money should be put towards it, as it is the most important government agency there is, in my opinion. I also feel as though we should broadcast more messages into space, instead of just listening for signals. We need a heavily funded space agency that isn't afraid to take risks, and we may even have to combine all space agencies in the world for more adequate funding, personnel, and joint research efforts.
