NationStates Jolt Archive

...the Challenger exploded. But still no really significant improvements have been made. We are still no step further into space. Why?

Because our enlightened leaders think it is more worthwhile to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on corporate welfare and new ways to kill people.

But looking at the planet's condition isn't it time to prepare for a star trek? <smile/>
Seriously, we all know this isn't going to end well, so when will be ready to settle out there?

Unfortunately, Vetalia's hit it right on the head.

If we can only convince them that there are terrorists in space -- hey, has the President seen "War of the Worlds" yet?

We are still no step further into space. Why?

We have far more pressing issues down here and a lot worthier causes which to funnel astronomical (ooh, punny) amounts of money to? Plus, space doesn't work like a penile extension any more.

All the astrophysicists smoke pot.

...the Challenger exploded. But still no really significant improvements have been made. We are still no step further into space. Why?

because each time a shuttle breaks, it takes years to figure out how and why then to fix those problems.

first it was the seal, next it was the heat tiles breaking, who knows what happens next.

another problem is making it pay. we toss billions of dollars into equipement that is ment to be used a handfull of times before becomeing useless.

now if we were to find ore on the moon...

We have far more pressing issues down here and a lot worthier causes which to funnel astronomical (ooh, punny) amounts of money to? Plus, space doesn't work like a penile extension any more.

Yes, like corporate welfare and defense. :(

we are significantly further into space...Voyagers, anybody?

Anyway, space exploration takes time. Unlike Star Wars we cannot warp halfway across the galaxy in a matter of hours. I beleive it took Voyager seven years to get to Pluto.
So until FTL appears, were pretty much stuck in-system.

Anyway, theyre talking about a permenant moonbase, isnt that progress?

Unfortunately, Vetalia's hit it right on the head.

If we can only convince them that there are terrorists in space -- hey, has the President seen "War of the Worlds" yet?

say theres Oil and Terrorists on Mars

Yes, like corporate welfare and defense. :(

Now, those are excellent virility supplements.

because each time a shuttle breaks, it takes years to figure out how and why then to fix those problems.

first it was the seal, next it was the heat tiles breaking, who knows what happens next.

another problem is making it pay. we toss billions of dollars into equipement that is ment to be used a handfull of times before becomeing useless.

now if we were to find ore on the moon...

This is being penny wise and pound foolish. The shuttles were NOT meant to be used this long -- and it shows. However nobody seems to feel the need to fund a new space vehicle.

Now, those are excellent virility supplements.

Nothing says you're a masculine, virile nation like giving billions of tax dollars to oil companies and being capable of annihilating thousands of civilians with the push of a button. In fact, the manliest nations also combine it with global warming and massive obesity rates.

Nothing says you're a masculine, virile nation like giving billions of tax dollars to oil companies and being capable of annihilating thousands of civilians with the push of a button. In fact, the manliest nations also combine it with global warming and massive obesity rates.

Heterosexist-orthodox patriarchy ftw!

because each time a shuttle breaks, it takes years to figure out how and why then to fix those problems.

first it was the seal, next it was the heat tiles breaking, who knows what happens next.

another problem is making it pay. we toss billions of dollars into equipement that is ment to be used a handfull of times before becomeing useless.

now if we were to find ore on the moon...
But there are other ways into space than just the shuttles. I'd say that creating a more massive space station would be needed to get a foothold up there. The ISS looks so fragile and unsuitable to serve as a home station for farther space exploration...

Heterosexist-orthodox patriarchy ftw!

God bless America!

But there are other ways into space than just the shuttles. I'd say that creating a more massive space station would be needed to get a foothold up there. The ISS looks so fragile and unsuitable to serve as a home station for farther space exploration...

... you still need the Shuttles to "shuttle" people and resources up to the space Station.

God bless America!

And none other!

Please.

Heterosexist-orthodox patriarchy ftw!

Oh come off it. That's bullshit and you know it. Homosexuals, if in power, would do the exact same thing, because they are the same as heterosexuals except for their preference in gender.

As for space, as sad as it makes my inner Trekkie, we can just forget about it right now apart from looking out for objects that might impact Earth. We've got too many problems facing us, like controlling global climate change and working through Peak Oil.

As for space, as sad as it makes my inner Trekkie, we can just forget about it right now apart from looking out for objects that might impact Earth. We've got too many problems facing us, like controlling global climate change and working through Peak Oil.

However, we have to remember that space research can develop a lot of the advanced technology to combat other problems; for example, major improvements in solar panels, nanotechnology, composites, and other fields can all come from research for space exploration.

When it comes to climate change or PO, the space program is going to help us a lot more than the defense budget.

Oh come off it. That's bullshit and you know it. Homosexuals, if in power, would do the exact same thing, because they are the same as heterosexuals except for their preference in gender.

We are not the same as heterosexuals. Thankfully. But, you seem to be confusing "heterosexist" with "heterosexual".

Wow...in a single post a topic goes from space exploration to 'I hate America' and homosexuality.
I wish I could do that.

However, we have to remember that space research can develop a lot of the advanced technology to combat other problems; for example, major improvements in solar panels, nanotechnology, composites, and other fields can all come from research for space exploration.

When it comes to climate change or PO, the space program is going to help us a lot more than the defense budget.

I won't question that, Vetalia. I just think that if we're going to spend the money at all, let's direct it at the problems we face as much as possible right now. Space exploration should be left to the private sector anyway. All it ever happened to be back in the sixties was a dick waving contest with the Russians.

Fass: Maybe I am. Wouldn't be the first time. I concede your point.

I won't question that, Vetalia. I just think that if we're going to spend the money at all, let's direct it at the problems we face as much as possible right now. Space exploration should be left to the private sector anyway. All it ever happened to be back in the sixties was a dick waving contest with the Russians.

Fass: Maybe I am. Wouldn't be the first time. I concede your point.So why doesn't big business try to get into space?

I won't question that, Vetalia. I just think that if we're going to spend the money at all, let's direct it at the problems we face as much as possible right now. Space exploration should be left to the private sector anyway. All it ever happened to be back in the sixties was a dick waving contest with the Russians.

I'm more interested in things peripherally attached to the space program rather than the program itself (space exploration is interesting, but in terms of funding it's the stuff developed for it that matters).

Even so, if we took some of the $238 billion spent on farm subsidies and put it in to alternative energy, we'd be a lot better off.

This is being penny wise and pound foolish. The shuttles were NOT meant to be used this long -- and it shows. However nobody seems to feel the need to fund a new space vehicle.

agreed,

but it takes money to design and build shuttles. the pounding they take is immense so their Lifespans are very limited.

I'm more interested in things peripherally attached to the space program rather than the program itself (space exploration is interesting, but in terms of funding it's the stuff developed for it that matters).

Even so, if we took some of the $238 billion spent on farm subsidies and put it in to alternative energy, we'd be a lot better off.

The question is, do we need those farm subsidies to keep up our agricultural industry? That's going to be all the more important once we start losing the ability to transport food 3000 miles across the continent, let alone seven thousand or ten thousand across the world.

United B: At the moment it's not that profitable, though even so there is a space tourism industry popping up. I'll be damned if I can remember the name of the company doing it, but their first ship is supposed to be named "Enterprise" which tickles my inner Trekkie pink.

The question is, do we need those farm subsidies to keep up our agricultural industry? That's going to be all the more important once we start losing the ability to transport food 3000 miles across the continent, let alone seven thousand or ten thousand across the world.

I don't think agriculture's going to be lost, mainly because in terms of fuel efficiency it is actually easier to ship things long distances than it is to ship them shorter ones. It is more efficient to ship things by train or by cargo ship than it is to transport them by truck.

The efficiency of a cargo ship, which runs on abundant and easy to make waste oil is actually much, much higher relative to its cargo than a truck or train. We're better off eliminating 18-wheelers and moving as much of our cargo on to ships or diesel/electrified trains than trying to relocalize and lose the benefits of these vehicles. The real challenge is personal transportation, of course.