Constellation cancelled = UberEpic Fail. Yes orbo?

[merv]

Having just been to the Kennedy Space Center, and to Universal Studios Florida (did the ET ride twice) I reckon they should push on. The shuttle programme is about to end in about 5 missions time and they need a new worthwhile project. If they don't do it they let about 1,500 bright minds go unemployed.

You mentioned Motu and hover sucky thingys, well we remember the Jetsons and the dream of flying to work etc. Basically after the Apollo moon stuff from '69 we imagined going places quickly, but it all retrenched. Blame it on Iran and the oil crisis of '74 I suppose which kind of took a lot of money out of USA's (and NZ's for that matter) pocket.

It is a big thing though, the moon is about 380,000 kms from earth, the space station where the shuttles go to is only something over 300km from earth. To take men to other planets is another thing again with so far to travel. Worth trying or else no one will ever know.

They didn't take us any closer than a mile from the launch pad - but here's Endeavour ready to go in a week.

[Ixion]

Says it all, really. What _have_ you young people been doing ? (and don't use "crazy insane non-stop donkey sex " as an excuse, cos we all did that)

[slofox]

I'm a dreamer,count me in.Like Ixion I grew up with the promise of space travel (and sucky blowies),it's where the human race is destined to go....and only the USA will take us there..

Let's hope the USA takes itself there first...

I used to be all for the whole deal many years ago. You know, 50's kids loved the science as did most of the whole world at that time. Science was going to be the saviour of mankind. But somehow that got changed with the anti-science swing that happened in latter years. Now I dunno really - I'd love to see it all go flat out again in some ways. I still remember the thrill of the first rocket launches (especially the American ones where the rocket blew up!) But then again, it is just possible that we could spend the money better elsewhere...I dunno - I think I'll just get on the bike again...

[Ixion]

John 21:18

[slofox]

John 21:18

I like the "verily verily I say unto thee" version meself...

[Mr. Peanut]

Space travel now has a metaphorical uneasiness. We need to sort out our problems here. I would spend the money on getting Americans to explore Earth.

Seeing a bunch of guys in white suits bouncing in slow motion on a wasteland doesn't really appeal.

[BoristheBiter]

I would give my left nut to go into space but i think that is from reading sci-fi books.

what really is there in space other than it's not here. all mankind would do is fuck that aswell.

[CookMySock]

Ya reckon it'll rain on Sunday..?

It had better not. I'm riding to the moon.

Steve

[Swoop]

The young 'uns only want to go there if it CGI and a giant "reset" button gives them another chance...
(I remember watching Neil take that first step... LIVE on tv).

Outsource the construction of sub-assembelies to poor third world countries but pay them decent money to do it.

Fuck NO!
China can't even make a bloody Toyota Corolla (most reliable transport device on the planet after feet) without cocking that up. Keep it out of the hands of the neanderthals.

[Ixion]

Oh, there'd be a shit load of people die. Spaceexploration is _not_ safe. which is why I think the under 30s have wimped out, can't cope with anything that isn't "safe".

[Swoop]

Bugger. I forgot about OSH...
We're fucked.

[Trouser]

The multi trillion dollar 'war on terror™' put paid to this and many other worthwhile research and development programs.
I fear we'll turn into a bunch of planet bound, sexually depraved, islamic converting, communistic, internet 2.0 addicted, social networking whores.
Gosh.

[oldrider]

The space programme provides a lot of scientific development opportunities.

Far better idea than staging wars to do the same but probably doesn't kill enough innocents!

We have gotta find a better way to control world population than stupid wars!

The do gooders want to put space on hold on the pretext that we can't afford it.

But by the time they are ready to go on with it, there won't be any resources left to do it with!

The world can afford the space programme, in fact, we can not afford not to have it! (IMHO)

[Ixion]

See. he old. Second theory proven.

[gatch]

We have been led to believe that this planet is going to be a giant hamburger before I get to retire.

Fuck it, I like taking risks. Send me out there, I'll build a fuckin colony.