NationStates Jolt Archive

Governments spend billions of dollars every year trying to put spacecraft into orbit, go to Mars, or to improve basic sciences needed for space technology, is it worth it?

Although my Uncle's an engineer for NASA, I have to say it's a complete waste of tax dollars. Only now because the real landmark achievements are being made by private ventures, bringing the future we were supposed to have by now (remember 2001? Yeah, sure we're there).
I really found this story inspirational (a word I don't use much):

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/06/21/suborbital.test/index.html

Although my Uncle's an engineer for NASA, I have to say it's a complete waste of tax dollars. Only now because the real landmark achievements are being made by private ventures, bringing the future we were supposed to have by now (remember 2001? Yeah, sure we're there).
Which is exactly why we should invest in private ventures, not the government

Meh, I really don't care. I would think that the money probably should go to biological and chemical research, but if there is a point to astrological studies, then let 'em at it. I really am not too educated on that subject.

was there a point to Columbus' expedition? (especially given that every educated person from the era knew how large the world was, and that he couldn't possibly make it to Asia). Was there a point to the Endeavour?

If we didn't explore, we'd still be all be living in Africa. While I'd personally like the heat, it'd be a mite bit crowded.

Hmm, the USA colonises two planets, sends all the Democrats to one planet and all of the Republicans to the other: then we wouldn't have these 'arguments' about GWB...

The government spends so much more money on the military that it's disgusting. The government should spend less on bullshit like wars and more on constructive things like space exploration.

In thirty years, the private sector will be able to do most, if not all of what NASA currently does. Because of this, NASA is just a good of a place for your money as a black hole.

was there a point to Columbus' expedition?
To find an alternate trade route to the Far East. America had been discovered far, far before Columbus. And by many more peoples than just Leif Erikson.

Which is exactly why we should invest in private ventures, not the government
Precisely! Citizens do it cheaper and make it available to more people in the long run. When it becomes affordable, I'm sooooo getting a ticket.

To find an alternate trade route to the Far East. America had been discovered far, far before Columbus. And by many more peoples than just Leif Erikson.
Still, not many people really knew that the Americas existed, and certainly not the Spanish.

It's a good investment. I know what I'm about to say sounds totally out there, but...

One day, our planet will have gone to pot, and the science we've come up with will help us through it, especially if we're forced to live on the moon or some damn weird thing like that. I know i sound weird, but it's actually not that far off, the technology to do that.

One day, our planet will have gone to pot, and the science we've come up with will help us through it, especially if we're forced to live on the moon or some damn weird thing like that. I know i sound weird, but it's actually not that far off, the technology to do that.
I'm assuming that you mean become nigh uninhabitable, not all humans addicted to marijuana. And science has harmed more than helped, in my opinion. Though it has the potential to do so much, we've just misused it.

NASA should be privately funded and not by the government.

NASA should be privately funded and not by the government.
Can something be privately funded by the government? A little oxymoronic if you ask me...

Can something be privately funded by the government? A little oxymoronic if you ask me...
Unfortunately, yes. It's called Corporate Welfare.
*gags*

The role of government is to lay the foundation for private industry to expand on. Establish shipping routs, establish trails and pave roads. Space exploration is the continuation of this. Already there is promise for products made in space, the goal has been to reduce the cost of transportation to a level that manufacture becomes feasable. The small steps of private space is like the first few pulls on the oars of Viking rowboats.

Unfortunately, yes. It's called Corporate Welfare.
*gags*

Ummm, no because when government funds something it comes out of the taxpayers pocket.

Meh, I really don't care. I would think that the money probably should go to biological and chemical research, but if there is a point to astrological studies, then let 'em at it. I really am not too educated on that subject.
astronomical* studies.

there is a huge difference between astronomy and astrology. it's like the difference between alchemy and chemistry.

and personally, i think space exploration is a very good endeavour for our species to pursue. though nasa tends to focus on more sensationalized projects (talk of sending men to mars for instance, this has little to no scientific value) but they have to do these kinds of things because their budget is deceided upon by non-scientists (congress) canada has a much better system for this, our space agency presents proposals to real scientists and they get funding through the government based on the scientific value of the proposal, not how popular it will be with the people.

And science has harmed more than helped, in my opinion. Though it has the potential to do so much, we've just misused it.
yes, because disease control, a better understanding of our universe, a better understanding of how we work, some idea of what else could be out there, some idea of what can lengthen our lives and create a better standard of living are all bad things. yes. science is terrible.

get off your computer now if you really believe that.

Anything that gets me one step closer to getting off this planetful of terminal fools is more than worthwhile. I'm tired of being stampeded by mediocritans. Go ahead and bury each other, just get me the fuck off-planet while you get out your big guns.