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longship

(40,416 posts)

42. Hard to tell where we'd be without Sputnik.

Sat Jul 5, 2014, 05:23 AM

Jul 2014

The whole acceleration of science and tech in the fifties and early sixties was a reaction to Sputnik. Without Sputnik, we might never have had an Apollo program. But the connections are tenuous.

But I guess one can argue the other way. Bob Park certainly does. I like him a lot, but disagree with his opposition to humans in space. He makes similar arguments to yours.

So, who knows. It'll get sorted out.

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I just watched a discussion on C-Span about Mars [View all] tavernier Jul 2014 OP

you want "mankind to survive" that means fixing earth not wasting money going to mars nt msongs Jul 2014 #1

And if the science to get us to Mars helps solve the Earth problems? longship Jul 2014 #8

It isn't clear to me at all that sending humans to mars is "good science". Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #10

Well, we wouldn't be riding wild horses to get there. longship Jul 2014 #14

yes sure there could be incidental benefits. As there are right now with nasa's unmanned exploration Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #34

Hard to tell where we'd be without Sputnik. longship Jul 2014 #42

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #26

I'm all for exploring our solar system. Why send humans? Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #32

Seems to me that may be the only way to ensure the survival of humans. calimary Jul 2014 #35

It makes me kind of wonder about a science fiction alternative history. Jamastiene Jul 2014 #40

I'm one of those who believes that - in ALL the universe, so big, so vast, so greatly UN-explored calimary Jul 2014 #49

You think regular Joes would be allowed to leave here? Bwahaha! Yeah, spaceships like subway trains. WinkyDink Jul 2014 #44

Think of how tragic it would be to foul our nest and then go foul the nests of others arcane1 Jul 2014 #52

How do you think an airless, waterless place without soil, getting far less solar radiation muriel_volestrangler Jul 2014 #55

the fall back is "well sure its a waste of money but 'freeze dried food'". nt. Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #67

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #37

Now THAT is a very compelling point, Warren! calimary Jul 2014 #61

Agree workinclasszero Jul 2014 #65

Death Valley is a lush garden compared to mars. Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #66

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #84

Well wake me up 900 years from now and let me know. Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #85

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #86

I have a problem with "we should spend a shit ton of money 'cause in a thousand years..." Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #87

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #89

estimates are between 6 and 500 billion dollars per trip. Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #90

Not if Earth is hit by Shankapotomus Jul 2014 #11

"The reason non-avian dinosaurs are extinct is because they didn't have a space program." longship Jul 2014 #17

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #28

Throw in ability to redirect said impactors exboyfil Jul 2014 #93

I would want to see biosphere ships Shankapotomus Jul 2014 #94

Wrong SoLeftIAmRight Jul 2014 #38

This +a googol arcane1 Jul 2014 #51

Thank you I totall agree /nt workinclasszero Jul 2014 #64

I think most do care about the future even when we're not in it. randome Jul 2014 #2

nothing average about your post OR being a nurse! reddread Jul 2014 #3

makes me think of this quote by Robert Browning.... IcyPeas Jul 2014 #4

If the survival of mankind is the goal, Mars isnt the best place to attempt that goal. hatrack Jul 2014 #5

Well put, but that's not my point. tavernier Jul 2014 #6

At first, only the rich will be allowed to migrate to Mars. Jamastiene Jul 2014 #41

The only thing that would make Mars preferable to Earth for the rich would be a revolution muriel_volestrangler Jul 2014 #57

NO NO NO SoLeftIAmRight Jul 2014 #39

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #48

Why waist money going to mars. Why waist it going to the moon. When you think about it........ wandy Jul 2014 #7

Thanks! Didn't think of that. tavernier Jul 2014 #12

Why some strive for progress and the preservation of human kind while others....... wandy Jul 2014 #23

We can send 50 really smart well equipped robots to mars for the price of one human. Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #9

Forgive the stupid wording. tavernier Jul 2014 #16

Anything we do will have to start with a few really smart robots........ wandy Jul 2014 #21

No kidding, I'm still waiting for all the promises the ISS was supposed to bring us. n/t arcane1 Jul 2014 #54

I have degrees in Geology. Maedhros Jul 2014 #56

And what is it exactly that you could not Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #63

I gather you have never mapped formations in the field. Maedhros Jul 2014 #71

and you think that it is impossible for robotics to provide equal or superior range of vision Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #72

Well, I have engaged in field mapping, you have not. Maedhros Jul 2014 #73

So surgeons are performing remote presence surgery, but geology is "just too complicated". Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #74

I would not presume to make declarative statements about the practice of surgery, Maedhros Jul 2014 #75

right, cause this is a serious academic forum rather than an anonymous internets bullshit session. Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #88

I just don't understand why you feel so compelled to disregard my expertise on this matter. Maedhros Jul 2014 #91

There needs to be a balance of working to save our only home in the Universe and Uncle Joe Jul 2014 #13

Carl said it better than I ever could. tavernier Jul 2014 #18

I believe Carl said it better than most of us could. Uncle Joe Jul 2014 #19

THIS!!!!!!!!!^^^^^^^^^^^ ALL OF THE ABOVE. Anansi1171 Jul 2014 #36

Robotic explorers are far more cost effective Motown_Johnny Jul 2014 #15

There are quite a few scientists who disagree with that. longship Jul 2014 #20

Part of the discussion centered on your point: tavernier Jul 2014 #24

Well, it could, but it would take many robotic missions. longship Jul 2014 #29

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #30

It's not like we would waste money edhopper Jul 2014 #22

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #27

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #25

You mean the 99% left behind? WinkyDink Jul 2014 #45

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #46

Look, PAL, this ain't about religion, and I never implied such. Tell me: Who do you WinkyDink Jul 2014 #76

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #79

While it could prove to be an interesting exercise... Oakenshield Jul 2014 #31

Thank you all for the input! tavernier Jul 2014 #33

A really great thread and a tremendous, self-effacing post. longship Jul 2014 #58

Aw shucks tavernier Jul 2014 #60

That IS what the 1% are frantically accumulating wealth for: to escape. WinkyDink Jul 2014 #43

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #47

I can non-sequitur with the worst of'em. Same as Saddam's having WMD's, right? WinkyDink Jul 2014 #78

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #81

Really? Was John Glenn part of the 1%? longship Jul 2014 #59

TRY not to condescend to someone who actually would wave to Echo I; WinkyDink Jul 2014 #77

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #82

I have always dreamed of humans exploring Mars. RebelOne Jul 2014 #50

Some people only want the "right part" of humanity to survive Warpy Jul 2014 #53

Suppose, ludicrous as it is, "Mars" is our survival strategy. Warren Stupidity Jul 2014 #68

All species have a limited period of existence Warpy Jul 2014 #70

This message was self-deleted by its author Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #83

Much cheaper to live in spacesuits and sealed, pressurized domes right here on Earth. Orsino Jul 2014 #62

My best friend has one semester left for nursing Marrah_G Jul 2014 #69

I would prefer to live in space BlindTiresias Jul 2014 #80

We could always render this planet much less inhabitable and save the trip. Oh wait! Never mind!! retread Jul 2014 #92