Future of Space Travel (TV, error, systems, problem)

[skytrekker]

Some thoughts and predictions regarding space travel in the next 25, 50 and 100 years. Mars colonization? Star travel and time dilation? New Propulsion techniques? Suspended animation? Contact with Extra terrestrials..??? Any ideas ?

[JBrown]

Gort. Klatoo.... Barado .....Nickto

[Tek_Freek]

A few:

We should already have a base on the moon and be readying for an imminent trip to Mars. Why aren't we?

Because the short-sighted, narrow-minded, war-mongering leaders of our once great nation think it's more important to wage unnecessary wars and prop up so-called allies (the Saudis, Pakistan, etc.) than it is to become a two-planet race (re: Carl Sagan).

There hasn't been an intelligent leader that pushed the space program since Kennedy, and he wouldn't have bothered if the Russians hadn't scared the Hell out of him.

How did we become a nation of timid mice, hiding in our safe hole (Earth)?

By the time it's a real problem - take your pick: wars over resources, overcrowding, nukes flying (we all know terrorist will eventually get their hands on some nukes), global warming - whether caused by us or nature, it doesn't matter - I'll be dead and all you youngsters can fight it out.

Hindsight is 20/20. Try your best to get our leaders to look forward at something other than oil and war.

Christopher Columbus, Magellan, Marco Polo, the list is long, are all turning over in their graves. Spinning, in fact.

[Prince of Lombards]

Originally Posted by Tek_Freek

A few:

We should already have a base on the moon and be readying for an imminent trip to Mars. Why aren't we?

Because the short-sighted, narrow-minded, war-mongering leaders of our once great nation think it's more important to wage unnecessary wars and prop up so-called allies (the Saudis, Pakistan, etc.) than it is to become a two-planet race (re: Carl Sagan).

There hasn't been an intelligent leader that pushed the space program since Kennedy, and he wouldn't have bothered if the Russians hadn't scared the Hell out of him.

How did we become a nation of timid mice, hiding in our safe hole (Earth)?

By the time it's a real problem - take your pick: wars over resources, overcrowding, nukes flying (we all know terrorist will eventually get their hands on some nukes), global warming - whether caused by us or nature, it doesn't matter - I'll be dead and all you youngsters can fight it out.

Hindsight is 20/20. Try your best to get our leaders to look forward at something other than oil and war.

Christopher Columbus, Magellan, Marco Polo, the list is long, are all turning over in their graves. Spinning, in fact.

Amen, in a non-religious way!

+rep

[skytrekker]

Well what about the ability to produce speeds at least 20% the speed of light?
If we hope to travel beyond the solar system to the nearest star systems we will need to devise a propulsion system.

[Prince of Lombards]

YouTube - Space: 1999 - TV intro (season 1) HQ (1975)

[LordBalfor]

Well, the US Manned Space Program is in a pretty precarious position. The space shuttle is scheduled to be retired in 2 years or so - after which we will be dependent on Russia to keep the International Space Station manned. A replacement vehicle is in the works (an old style capsule design) but it is not likely to be ready for another 3-5 years after that - and that's assuming all goes well with the project and it's budget, something that is not all all certain considering the huge budget shortfall the US government is currently facing.

If I had to put money on it, I would venture that the major advances in manned space exploration in this new century will NOT come from the US, but rather from China.

That's my guess anyway.

Ken

[LordBalfor]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Well what about the ability to produce speeds at least 20% the speed of light?
If we hope to travel beyond the solar system to the nearest star systems we will need to devise a propulsion system.

A longggggggggggg way off, I'm afraid.

Ken

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by LordBalfor

A longggggggggggg way off, I'm afraid.

Ken

Well I tend to agree with you and the others here talking about a plethora of earthly problems that seem to be multiplying day by day.

However I feel we are all aware of this. The main premise of this thread was not necessarily to discuss a time line of star travel, but discuss the theory of it- as espoused by Einsteins theory of relativity -

I believe they are shooting for a Mars landing mission by 2025 now-
And as for propulsion systems; approaching 10% the speed of light- many are already in existence.

[GregW]

Space travel will become viable when there is a profitable destination at the other end. Now it is a developmental toy and a sideline for the military industrial congressional pork barrel complex.

This is unfortunate, because I think we do have to become a multi planet or solar system race if we expect to survive into forever. Even without our own efforts to make the place uncomfortable or, in the extreme, uninhabitable, the Earth is a dangerous place to live. Remember, God has not run out of rocks.