Return to the moon
Discussion
We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win, and the others, too.
Terminator X said:
Trying to leave the planet seems pure folly to me when they are so many pressing problems down here to sort first.
TX.
Just apply that line of thinking to mankind over the past 20,000 years. We would still be living in caves and mud huts and would never have left our birth places.TX.
We are an exploring and "spreading out" species. We are also a "problem solving" species. We can do both at the same time.
It's because we have so many problems 'down here' that we are trying to leave. Ever heard of the frog in the boiling pot analogy?
Our solar system is filled with practically infinite resources and fuel that would solve 99% of mans problems.
Would it not be completely daft to tap into this? I'm pretty certain a narrow mind would not be able to solve our probelms.
Our solar system is filled with practically infinite resources and fuel that would solve 99% of mans problems.
Would it not be completely daft to tap into this? I'm pretty certain a narrow mind would not be able to solve our probelms.
dukeboy749r said:
There is always ‘some problem down here’ to deal with.
At which point, of technological advancement, would you suggest we look upwards and say ‘let’s go out there’?
This.At which point, of technological advancement, would you suggest we look upwards and say ‘let’s go out there’?
And the simple fact is that you can't fix all the problems on earth, at least not in a reasonable time frame.
Going to the moon might solve other problems, or problems that you don't know exist yet.
Space travel isn't about the destination, it's about developing the technology and knowledge to get there.
Cupramax said:
Am I the only one looking at this and seeing after all this time all they’ve managed is to build a new Saturn V which went to moon originally, meanwhile Musk is landing rockets after use 
if I was the head of NASA I’d be too embarrassed to even let it take off.
It’s a common trope rolled out by Musk fans who again and again spill hatred on anything their idol hasn’t been involved with. Sad to see. if I was the head of NASA I’d be too embarrassed to even let it take off.If you have an interest in Space missions, just enjoy it for what it is.
PositronicRay said:
Why, just why? Don't we have other challenges to deal with?
There are many different challenges and many different people to work on these challenges. It's not one person in a shed saying "I'd build a rocket to the moon for you but first I need to solve world hunger and then cure cancer. Somebody else asked first." Eric Mc said:
Just apply that line of thinking to mankind over the past 20,000 years. We would still be living in caves and mud huts and would never have left our birth places.
We are an exploring and "spreading out" species. We are also a "problem solving" species. We can do both at the same time.
We are an exploring and "spreading out" species. We are also a "problem solving" species. We can do both at the same time.
Born in 1980, I missed the excitement of the original space race and moon landings. I would like to think that in my lifetime we will return to the moon, and beyond that go to Mars.
Cupramax said:
I’m not a Musk fan, it just seems there’s been no step forward in all that time.
Got it, you aren't really interested in this mission. Granted there's has been little interest from the USA in the Moon for several decades but to say there's been no step forward is a little trite. I understand the big shiny Starship with its promised capability is more interesting but progress has slowed and the system hasn't left the ground yet so at this stage it's still a concept.This mission is due to launch shortly, and I get that it's not as cool as a the SpaceX stuff but as a stand alone mission it's pretty special.
https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/
To say NASA should be embarrassed is just jumping on the Musk fan base commentary and really there's no need for it.
Edited by Smiljan on Tuesday 23 August 10:12
FatboyKim said:
I'm surprised there's not more appetite for visiting Mars in 2022
Moon is a tad under 240,000 miles away, Mars when at its nearest is some 38.5 million miles!Artemis is supposed to herald a return to more regular lunar missions with some form of base being setup there as a stepping stone to Mars - no easy feat on both counts.
Sadly I still think human flights to Mars are still a bit of a pipe dream although I hope to see it in my lifetime I doubt I will and I hope to last as long as the 2060's.
The Chinese managed to send a craft to the Moon and bring back Moon samples just two years ago with very little fanfare. The SLS launch still has relatively little coverage and a lot of detractors. Even on this thread people are asking why go when there is so much to fix on Earth. With that background it's a minor miracle anyone is managing to get funding for this sort of mission.
In reality one of the core functions of the Artemis program long term is to exploit resources (in NASA speak "economic benefits"). Where the technology allows exploration will go hand in hand with mining for resources however that might be achieved.
For now, I'm just happy to follow any mission and marvel at the technology (new and old) being used. I'm too young to have witness the original Moon landings but old enough to have witnessed the highs and lows of the Shuttle era. To follow this one from launch through a few weeks of voyage and orbit will be pretty special.
The Chinese managed to send a craft to the Moon and bring back Moon samples just two years ago with very little fanfare. The SLS launch still has relatively little coverage and a lot of detractors. Even on this thread people are asking why go when there is so much to fix on Earth. With that background it's a minor miracle anyone is managing to get funding for this sort of mission.
In reality one of the core functions of the Artemis program long term is to exploit resources (in NASA speak "economic benefits"). Where the technology allows exploration will go hand in hand with mining for resources however that might be achieved.
For now, I'm just happy to follow any mission and marvel at the technology (new and old) being used. I'm too young to have witness the original Moon landings but old enough to have witnessed the highs and lows of the Shuttle era. To follow this one from launch through a few weeks of voyage and orbit will be pretty special.
Zetec-S said:
Born in 1980, I missed the excitement of the original space race and moon landings. I would like to think that in my lifetime we will return to the moon, and beyond that go to Mars.
Smiljan said:
Got it, you aren't really interested in this mission. Granted there's has been little interest from the USA in the Moon for several decades but to say there's been no step forward is a little trite. I understand the big shiny Starship with its promised capability is more interesting but progress has slowed and the system hasn't left the ground yet so at this stage it's still a concept.
This mission is due to launch shortly, and I get that it's not as cool as a the SpaceX stuff but as a stand alone mission it's pretty special.
https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/
To say NASA should be embarrassed is just jumping on the Musk fan base commentary and really there's no need for it.
I am interested or I wouldn’t be posting on here, you seem to have a chip on your shoulder… This mission is due to launch shortly, and I get that it's not as cool as a the SpaceX stuff but as a stand alone mission it's pretty special.
https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/
To say NASA should be embarrassed is just jumping on the Musk fan base commentary and really there's no need for it.
Edited by Smiljan on Tuesday 23 August 10:12
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