NASA or NASCAR? (Earth, advent, charity, science, easter)

[mr.guy]

Just heard a neat cbc program querying the validity of human space exploration.
http://radio.cbc.ca/programs/quirks/...-06/nov19.html
There's a link to listen to the program as well, available as of 2:00pm eastern time.

For anyone who listens to the program (or at least reads the synopsis), i wonder how many you think there is any use in sending people into space?

[michel]

Originally Posted by mr.guy

Just heard a neat cbc program querying the validity of human space exploration.
http://radio.cbc.ca/programs/quirks/...-06/nov19.html
There's a link to listen to the program as well, available as of 2:00pm eastern time.

For anyone who listens to the program (or at least reads the synopsis), i wonder how many you think there is any use in sending people into space?

Personally, I have always had a prejudice against space exploration of any kind.

I hardly ever find people who agree with me, but in my book, "Charity begins at home".

When we think back to the pre Russia days, Ie The USSR says, money was always available for space research, even if the bulk of the population lived in conditions we would never want to even think of.

"that human space flight is about adventure."

The Earth has not yet been fully explored - the oceans are, to my mind, fascinating, and have much to offer. We have hardly really explored them.

"Canada's first female astronaut, and a research neurologist, points out that one of the most valuable things we've learned from human space travel is how the human body responds in zero gravity"......I would be interested to know how many trillions of $ have been spent to dicover the effects of zero gravity on the human body.........

I obviously read too far, because I became esconsed in Women Brewmasters and snapping Snapping Spaghetti; I was begining to think there was something strange going on..................

As for the benefits learned through space exploration, well, I am not sure as to the real validity of the contribution to society.

[mr.guy]

One of the impressions i got from the program is how heavily the current program justifies itself by serindipitous probability of further biological discovery. Another argument states that the science of human space exploration is really best for furthering...human space exploration.

[mr.guy]

Originally Posted by micheal

As for the benefits learned through space exploration, well, I am not sure as to the real validity of the contribution to society

I have to say, i was expecting this from you micheal...historically, you're in line with the royal astronomical society.

[mr.guy]

Originally Posted by micheal

I hardly ever find people who agree with me, but in my book, "Charity begins at home".

Which is why i chose the title i did. Is human (as opposed to robotic) space exploration part of an "entertainment" budget?

[Darkdale]

I think human's are explorers. I think it's what we do. The technology that has come out of the Space Program has been amazing. I think that as long as we can do it, we should keep sending people up. Though, I think once the corporations get out in space, the government will be able to ease off it a bit. Let the people investigate space on their own.

[mr.guy]

Originally Posted by Darkdale

Though, I think once the corporations get out in space, the government will be able to ease off it a bit.

Well, that was what the X-prize was about. But corporations already have alot of activity in space (telecomunication sattelites). Where's the line start for them to chip in on a Mars manned exploration/colonization program?

[mr.guy]

Originally Posted by Darkdale

I think human's are explorers.

Ok. But as micheal stated, why not an equal investment in our own planets exploration? The deep of the oceans are still scientific frontier.

The technology that has come out of the Space Program has been amazing.

Hasen't most of that technology been pretty circular? Could you give me some breakthroughs developed as a consequence of the space program that have much application outside of space travel?

That is, besides the zero-g pen.

[michel]

Originally Posted by mr.guy

Ok. But as micheal stated, why not an equal investment in our own planets exploration? The deep of the oceans are still scientific frontier.

Hasen't most of that technology been pretty circular? Could you give me some breakthroughs developed as a consequence of the space program that have much application outside of space travel?

That is, besides the zero-g pen.

Slightly off topic, and a sad thought, but most scientific advances, and medical ones have come about at times of war..........