Comments on: Astronauts are cool, and that’s enough http://wmwmsblog.com/2008/04/astronauts-are-cool-and-thats-enough/ Rarely senselessly vulgar; frequently slightly tacky Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:43:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: gerry rosser http://wmwmsblog.com/2008/04/astronauts-are-cool-and-thats-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-4056 gerry rosser Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:12:01 +0000 http://wmwmsblog.com/?p=612#comment-4056 I guess I meant regarding "engineering possiblity" the old question of travel faster than the speed of light. I suppose I shoulda been more clear, and perhaps said "physical possiblity." I guess I meant regarding “engineering possiblity” the old question of travel faster than the speed of light. I suppose I shoulda been more clear, and perhaps said “physical possiblity.”

]]> By: Bo http://wmwmsblog.com/2008/04/astronauts-are-cool-and-thats-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-4041 Bo Fri, 18 Apr 2008 23:16:48 +0000 http://wmwmsblog.com/?p=612#comment-4041 Well, sheesh, <i>nothing</i> is "within the realm of engineering possibility"...until it is. I think reaching for the stars is as natural and unstoppable as reaching across the ocean was 500 years ago. And now that we have a (young, but unambiguously thriving) private sector space industry, I expect it to snowball in my lifetime. Well, sheesh, nothing is “within the realm of engineering possibility”…until it is.

I think reaching for the stars is as natural and unstoppable as reaching across the ocean was 500 years ago. And now that we have a (young, but unambiguously thriving) private sector space industry, I expect it to snowball in my lifetime.

]]> By: gerry rosser http://wmwmsblog.com/2008/04/astronauts-are-cool-and-thats-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-4027 gerry rosser Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:07:40 +0000 http://wmwmsblog.com/?p=612#comment-4027 I grew up reading space operas, and thought about the far reaches of the universe. I think the entire Space Shuttle program has been a boondoggle. Sending up senators and teachers for publicity (or, phrased another way, to try to keep the public interested so funding doesn't dry up) points up, to me, that this is a pseudo-scientific venture. I am completely at a loss as to what the space station is for. Unmanned space flight? I'm for it. I wish I were more enthusiastic about the whole space thing, but I'm not. Don't get me wrong, I know if the government didn't waste money on this they'd waste it on something else. I think we are a few scientific steps away from making space flight practical and useful, and there is no guarantee mankind will ever take those steps, or that they are within the realm of engineering possibility. I grew up reading space operas, and thought about the far reaches of the universe.
I think the entire Space Shuttle program has been a boondoggle. Sending up senators and teachers for publicity (or, phrased another way, to try to keep the public interested so funding doesn’t dry up) points up, to me, that this is a pseudo-scientific venture. I am completely at a loss as to what the space station is for.

Unmanned space flight? I’m for it.

I wish I were more enthusiastic about the whole space thing, but I’m not. Don’t get me wrong, I know if the government didn’t waste money on this they’d waste it on something else. I think we are a few scientific steps away from making space flight practical and useful, and there is no guarantee mankind will ever take those steps, or that they are within the realm of engineering possibility.

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