It's time for mankind to break his Earthly bonds. Commercialise space and let NASA die!

Its time for mankind to break his Earthly bonds!

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/4938578f81db.jpg[/atsimg]
I've always been fascinated with the various space programs and the possibility of expanding our space exploration either through human space flight or robotic probes. I feel we have reached a pivotal point in both Human history and regarding the global economy. We need to make some rather drastic changes. I was reading through some threads earlier today linked below.

Russia in a race for the Moon, they want it before any other country
Why didn't the Soviet Union land a man on the moon?
China Going to the Moon

Where I came across this post reply by mobiusmale.

Originally posted by mobiusmale
I wonder, with the moon's lesser gravity, if something like a rail gun could be used to fire "cargoes" of precious metals back to Earth.

The cargo would have to be inside something, obviously, capable of performing re-entry maneuvers...just thinking out loud.

Actually I like that kind of outside the box thinking.

I love Science and Sci-Fi I often read articles, stories and theories which contain speculative conjecture about such endeavors and all too often they limit themselves by attempting to accomplish such tasks by confining themselves to Earth based physical restrictions both in Gravity and Physics etc.

I say Humans need to return to the moon. It's the logical next step. Investigating MARS and the other planets is cool and all but the Moon has a large amount of resources which is fairly close and we could use in furthering our exploration. If the Russians [or the Chinese for that matter] get there then so be it. That will only spur further competition and speed the development of technology and the opening of space for the masses I think the US should let NASA die and promote both private and commercial programs. [Obviously maintain our already not so secret military programs outlined in my recent thread] --> Star Wars: It has begun.

NASA IMHO has outlived it's usefulness. It was put together to beat the Soviets to the moon and develop a viable space program. The problem lies with Government tax payer funding, financing and restrictions. Too much politics evolved. Also not surprisingly much of the DATA that is received is all too often compartmentalized to the point where some of it never sees the light of day [hidden with the intention of preserving "National Security"] Meanwhile it also stagnates advancements to the point of losing precious knowledge and opportunity.

Example: Recently when NASA was researching the prospect of returning to the moon they had to go to space museums and look at how it was done 42 year previously, because they had supposedly forgotten how it was accomplished in the first place. NASA Forgot How To Go To The Moon!

Sure, there is speculation that the
whole Apollo space program was faked.

[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/4a565ea3a930.gif[/atsimg]

Obviously there will never be a 100% agreement on the matter. Fine, So be it. In any case this does not negate the fact the now more than ever we need to break our Earthly bonds. YES, We have problems here on Earth an many will argue we should take care of our problems here before we spend money on such programs. Well, I'll answer with if we privatized space "We" wouldn't be spending money on it. [Tax Dollars - Not using Tax payers money while running up larger debt. ].

"They" would be. Meaning Corporations and Private citizens. They would be spending their money and hiring people to accomplish these multitude of tasks while simultaneously generating tax revenue that would help pay for all the variously needed social programs which would also accelerate R & D of newer technologies that we are presently playing with or only using for military applications.

Which although do create SOME jobs it doesn't really help the global economy as a whole....
[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/cfad26733c7b.jpg[/atsimg]

RIM-162 ESSM
The RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) used to protect ships from attacking missiles, aircraft and surface threats. ESSM is designed to counter supersonic maneuvering anti-ship missiles

Here are a couple of videos to ponder before you reply...




Your thoughts?

PEACE
SLAY...

Nice thread slayer

As much as I'm opposed to large corporations (the ones that cant fail:@@ I must agree with you, as it seems to be the only viable solution to re ignite space exploration.

If you haven't already, check out the movie Moon.

It's a pretty good flick, and what made me think about it was in your post you had mentioned a rail gun being used to transport cargo back to earth, and that is exactly what is used in the movie to transport harvested H3 back to earth. It also addresses private corporations role in space based commerce.

I always enjoy your threads, keep up the good work

Slayer
nice thread
and I would agree with ya.
S&F

I think Richard Branson (Virgin Galactic)
is already involved in a project of this type.
Though right now, I think it's only in the
space travel phase. At $200K a pop for
a seat on "Sir Richard" it makes a nice
visit.

But in reality, who would really want
to stay forever?

You can't breathe in outer space.
Without a suit, you would freeze to death.
You would also have to stay in a tin can.
The elements make it a less than attractive
permanent living scenario.

But hey, I guess some can dream can't they?

One question, who has done more in space exploration than NASA?

Who is better equipped to do better than NASA?

Who does not use NASA data to discredit NASA?

You got a better system then lets see the data.

reply to post by SLAYER69


Thanks SLAYER.
Just when i thought i was going to get to sleep tonight( 4am where i am) i started to read your post and the links on it, so i know i will be staying up for a little while longer as i start to digest another one of your great threads.
I will get back to you with my thoughts.

Peace mate
Meathed

Originally posted by Illustronic
One question, who has done more in space exploration than NASA?

Who is better equipped to do better than NASA?

Who does not use NASA data to discredit NASA?

You got a better system then lets see the data.

Answer to 3 out of your 4 questions. RICHARD BRANSON, and his VIRGIN company

reply to post by Illustronic


All of those are great points but we are hemorrhaging TAX payers money when we can't afford it. The birth of Air-travel was paid for initially by delivering the mail. The mail no longer supports all the industry has to offer...

The private space industry was going to overtake public at some point anyway. There's just more money and professional resource available in the private sector.

Look at the Virgin guy and all the stuff they've done in the past 5 years compared the NASA. Besides, NASA has far too much red tape to do anything " game changing" in the industry for another 20 years.

And Slayer, can you take it easy on the crazy quality threads, my star/flag fingers are starting to hurt

~Keeper

Originally posted by tothetenthpower
And Slayer, can you take it easy on the crazy quality threads, my star/flag fingers are starting to hurt

~Keeper

I agree
My fingers are all red.

By breaking up the power-hungry "monopolies" in space such as NASA...and the worry about them hogging all of the government's expenditure (and thereby pushing the economy into the negative output gap)...commercialising space seems to be the only viable option left. Not to mention that these companies have WAY more money and actually do much better in many research and development schemes.

Of course, this scheme has to be strictly monitored. Yet, with the poor success of inspectors monitoring corporations with all those negative externalities (probably because of that corruption or laziness)...will the same happen to space? That's one of the downfalls I think could occur. We already have a lot of rubbish up there...we need to make sure nothing else adds to it..nor anything HARMFUL from the commercialising of space will affect the planets and such. One small thing could have such a large effect.

What I'd really like is a scientist's opinion on this. How would they feel that their "project" of researching our solar system would be invaded by people in it for money and not caring about what they're putting up there? Therefore, I personally believe that for now, space should be left to scientists...to uncover the mysteries above. If these corporations employ these scientists, I'm all for it...but if it's for sightseeing or trying to "buy" their "land" i.e. space like territory or for commercial sightseeing...I think I'm far from it right now (although the sightseeing would be pretty cool). Probably because I'm only worried about the negative environmental effects that could occur. If a solution is found...then I most definitely want a seat. That's another problem..the only people who could afford to go onto these flights would be rich people...of course, because it's the start..eventually they'll find a way to keep their costs down but will I ever see that day? I doubt it. It'll take a looooong time.

So yes, corporations employing scientists for research and development schemes...definitely...they are probably at a faster pace than the public sector at the moment and probably benefit us much, much more. Okay this post is really confusing me now..I don't know where I stand

People are already starting to think about private and commercial benefits to reaching space, for many reasons. Some see monetary gain, others see adventure and others see science. It is only a matter of time. Remember the adverts. for volunteers to colonize Mars? That's a private adventure, meant to be a one-way trip. People of various ages and backgrounds all want to go. It's planned to take off in the next 20 years (we shall see) but awesome prospect, nonetheless. Never stop exploring, it's a motto many live by and collectively, we all benefit by those who push the limits. Great thread.

reply to post by SLAYER69


You mean it's time for someone to start making money off space tourist.

Sorry, they already have that covered. For over 2 million you can go into space with the Virgin company. These "tours" will start in 2015 & one of the main attractions is going to stations we have in orbit.

It's really disgusting to me. An average person like me, WITH a desire for space exploration, will NEVER get to see that. But if you're a money cow, then you can take as many trips as you want. I would never have a chance, because I cannot afford a good college to learn all the things necessary for becoming a cosmonaut. This really sickens me.

We absolutely need to get into space. It'd be a lot easier of a project to get off the ground (see what I did there? I bet you did) if more people would acknowledge that and ease off on the conflicts that are entirely earth based.

As far as living in space being uncomfortable... Imagine a massive space station with viewing decks and oxygen gardens like small forests. It could be tremendously better than some living conditions here on earth right now. Just gotta think awesome.

reply to post by AnitaCigarette


Well why not use what the West [and now Asia] are good at? Exploitation of resources.

Only this time it would be in dead space instead of exploiting each other. Give the Earth a break.
If fukushima,

Originally posted by SLAYER69
reply to post by AnitaCigarette

 

Well why not use what the West [and now Asia] are good at? Exploitation of resources.

Only this time it would be in dead space instead of exploiting each other. Give the Earth a break.
If fukushima,

No, it's not. If we can't even unite our various countries and continets on this little blue planet then we should hardly be galavanting off into space as if everything's fine! There'll just be more petty bickering over lovely space resources, like oil but better and bigger.

Sort out the problems at home first before eloping.

Personally, I've always been a lover of everything space, and one thing I want more than anything, or at least more than most things, is a few minutes at 0G in sub-orbit, staring out at the anything-but-empty void of space.

Right now I'm over $2k in debt and I don't have my own place and my only source of income is my plasma, but God as my witness I will have my moment in sub-orbit or beyond.

Originally posted by tothetenthpower
The private space industry was going to overtake public at some point anyway. There's just more money and professional resource available in the private sector.

Look at the Virgin guy and all the stuff they've done in the past 5 years compared the NASA. Besides, NASA has far too much red tape to do anything " game changing" in the industry for another 20 years.

And Slayer, can you take it easy on the crazy quality threads, my star/flag fingers are starting to hurt

~Keeper

Agreed about branson, as i stated in my post above. And not only is RICHARD THE SAVIOUR BRANSON going into space, he has also created a submarine that will dive deeper than any other manmade craft that has ever swum the ocean.
I vote Branson for world president. Who seconds the motion?????

reply to post by SLAYER69


Exploiting other planets would be great...if we can get the technology to withstand the weather conditions.

Now look at Jupiter, Saturn...I'm not going anywhere near there

reply to post by Soulsofwe


Well some could argue that if more of us got up out into space and looked back on Earth the first thing they would notice is A. How small our planet really is and B. The fact that there are no imaginary artificial boundaries or lines signifying individual countries and reaffirming that we are all one species. [atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/31f2ab7da784.jpg[/atsimg]

Originally posted by AnitaCigarette
reply to post by SLAYER69

 

You mean it's time for someone to start making money off space tourist.

Sorry, they already have that covered. For over 2 million you can go into space with the Virgin company. These "tours" will start in 2015 & one of the main attractions is going to stations we have in orbit.

It's really disgusting to me. An average person like me, WITH a desire for space exploration, will NEVER get to see that. But if you're a money cow, then you can take as many trips as you want. I would never have a chance, because I cannot afford a good college to learn all the things necessary for becoming a cosmonaut. This really sickens me.

edit on 9-4-2011 by AnitaCigarette because: *typo

I dont agree. As it is only because fat cows and rich pricks paying big dollars will only then space travel be cheap for the rest of us humans.
We can just hope that there will be alot of trial and ERROR with the first flights and that us commoners get the "Good flight"