NationStates Jolt Archive

The 35 aniversery happend recently.

What do you think?

key step

It represents the farthest humanity has ever gone. It represents how far we've come from exploring Europe, to exploring space. It represents humanity's push for knowledge.

And above all, it was one small step for A man, and one giant step for mankind...


Oh, and it was the defeat of the Soviets in the Space Race

Side Note
The Apollo program contributed heavily to the economy, but after the astronauts came home, what happened? It was quite anticlimatic, and asside from a few eager geologists (who studied the rocks the astronauts brought home), it wasn't anything more than an emotional contribution. However, it'll gain significance if we can return to the moon, and I believe that we can in less than fifteen years. The question will be who will be on the moon? Will it be the US, China, or by some miracle, Russia?

Side Note
The Apollo program contributed heavily to the economy, but after the astronauts came home, what happened? It was quite anticlimatic, and asside from a few eager geologists (who studied the rocks the astronauts brought home), it wasn't anything more than an emotional contribution. However, it'll gain significance if we can return to the moon, and I believe that we can in less than fifteen years. The question will be who will be on the moon? Will it be the US, China, or by some miracle, Russia?
that was actually thanks to the loss of enthusiasm on America's society's part.

Trust me, I've studied this.

Think of the Space Race as a war. After your nation takes over the enemy's capitol (in this case, America lands Neil Armstrong on the moon)...what happens? Your nation wins and the population is happy.

However, Apollo 12, 14,15, etc came

which is like the U.S. staying in Baghdad and celebrating being in Baghdad the next day...and the day after that...and the next day...etc.

Everyone gets tired of it. Thus, people lost interest and NASA lost money.

Side Note
The Apollo program contributed heavily to the economy, but after the astronauts came home, what happened? It was quite anticlimatic, and asside from a few eager geologists (who studied the rocks the astronauts brought home), it wasn't anything more than an emotional contribution. However, it'll gain significance if we can return to the moon, and I believe that we can in less than fifteen years. The question will be who will be on the moon? Will it be the US, China, or by some miracle, Russia?

I'm inclined to agree with you, but why will it be any different if done in the near future, as you say?

I'm inclined to agree with you, but why will it be any different if done in the near future, as you say?
Better technology. And the private sector has grown interested in space. You do know that the first private plane went to space, right? That'll be more common in a year or so. After all, Al Shepherd's spaceflight wasn't that significant until later, right?

that was actually thanks to the loss of enthusiasm on America's society's part.

Trust me, I've studied this.

Think of the Space Race as a war. After your nation takes over the enemy's capitol (in this case, America lands Neil Armstrong on the moon)...what happens? Your nation wins and the population is happy.

However, Apollo 12, 14,15, etc came

which is like the U.S. staying in Baghdad and celebrating being in Baghdad the next day...and the day after that...and the next day...etc.

Everyone gets tired of it. Thus, people lost interest and NASA lost money.
Exactly. Because NASA didn't show results. They would've been better off if they stuck to building research stations in low earth orbit.

Exactly. Because NASA didn't show results. They would've been better off if they stuck to building research stations in low earth orbit.
Your joking right? During the moon landings?

And the private sector has grown interested in space. You do know that the first private plane went to space, right? significant

I think that event didn't get nearly enough press coverage. Think about this: If two Americans with 20 million dollars can put something in space, who can't? Yes, this is signficant from a domestic stand point, but lets look at it internationally. Suppose the terrorists got a hold of this technology. The make a faux Chinese, Russian or French missile, smuggle it into China(which borders Afghanistan and Pakistan, I believe), France, or Russia and lauch it in the general direction of the US-- they wouldn't even need a nuclear warhead; they'd start WWIII without it.

I think that event didn't get nearly enough press coverage. Think about this: If two Americans with 20 million dollars can put something in space, who can't? Yes, this is signficant from a domestic stand point, but lets look at it internationally. Suppose the terrorists got a hold of this technology. The make a faux Chinese, Russian or French missile, smuggle it into China(which borders Afghanistan and Pakistan, I believe), France, or Russia and lauch it in the general direction of the US-- they wouldn't even need a nuclear warhead; they'd start WWIII without it.
But this particular technology was a plane. In any case, even if terrorists were to figure out how to use such technology offensively, then they'd still need the leadership to do it. For example, can the missile be smuggled into the select country?

But this particular technology was a plane. In any case, even if terrorists were to figure out how to use such technology offensively, then they'd still need the leadership to do it. For example, can the missile be smuggled into the select country?

I could be built within the country-- or they could put it in a semi.

Alright! I don't know! They're the ones who have to figure this stuff out, the rest of us are just supposed to hope they don't.

Alright! I don't know! They're the ones who have to figure this stuff out, the rest of us are just supposed to hope they don't.
Right. But perhaps part of what they want is to dangle this possibility, and cripple our private sector. Screw what the terrorists may do, let's just develope whatever technology we want. They'd probably be happy if we stopped research just for them.

I was really trying to indicate this is very significant, not that it was a bad thing.