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China's Space Program
- Thread starter LateX'Dog
- Start date
As cool as space exploration is I can't help but thinking we should focus more on our planet and how we treat it before we waste money exploring what is essentially nothing, at least until we have the technology and/or resources to go further than the Moon without it taking so very long.
Soldato
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The best part about having a space program is that you can test and develop long range missiles.
Same, but sadly not
Imagine what NASA could do with double their budget lol!!! It's insane. They are slowly being squeezed out.Maybe they can fake some more space walks
How is shooting people into space better for the economy than waging wars and bailing out failing companies ?
Wars actually generate massive income, I would take a guess they generate more than they cost in lucrative defense contracts. It's just a shame we will eventually run out of lesser country's to bomb the *&^& out of lol
first person to mine an asteroid is either incredibly rich or brings down the price of expensive elements massively
for example
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/3492919.stm
all the rare earth metals etc aren't so rare in space
grab that 4000km across diamond find an asteroid full of titanium
go sell some rings bra who controls the supply controls the price it doesn't matter how much of something there is if a few people control it
Did you know diamonds aren't even that rare? on earth but still expensive
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Soldato
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first person to mine an asteroid is either incredibly rich or brings down the price of expensive elements massively
Private companies are gearing up to start work on this. I suspect if one company manages to actually mine an asteroid it will kick off a massive corporate space race.
Agreed Arknor, I do think a lot of the stuff regards getting private companies to the moon etc are just proof of concept in readiness for stupidly lucrative commercial propositions like mining and payload (human to a lesser extent) transportation.
If that isnt a catalyst for technological progression I dont know what is
. Why Chinas Space program isnt really a surprise, they seem to have loads of fingers in pies regards to procuring resources...
ps3ud0
If that isnt a catalyst for technological progression I dont know what is
. Why Chinas Space program isnt really a surprise, they seem to have loads of fingers in pies regards to procuring resources...ps3ud0
Agreed Arknor, I do think a lot of the stuff regards getting private companies to the moon etc are just proof of concept in readiness for stupidly lucrative commercial propositions like mining and payload (human to a lesser extent) transportation.
If that isnt a catalyst for technological progression I dont know what is
ps3ud0
if only we know in the 80's what we know now.
we would be mining those asteroids already and the space budget for nasa would still be massive or they would be self supportive and getting america all the resources they could ever need
We probably did, I just think the onus was on governments to charter that via contracts and the like, whereas now it seems the onus is on private companies via competition prizes to make those first steps.
Obviously a lot of what is looking to happen is because of the technological foundations laid in defence contracts, I just see that same potential in technological leap available when we start looking into space from a commercial point of view rather than solely exploratory.
ps3ud0
25 things NASA has brought to us:
1. SATELLITE TELEVISION: Our world would not be the same without the satellites now in orbit around the Earth – all thanks to the space programme. They not only give us satellite broadcast television and radio but also power telecommunications including mobile phones and terrestrial TV networks.
2. SAT NAV: The global positioning system on which our in-car navigation systems are based was developed by the US Department of Defense. They would not exist without the space satellites.
3. GOOGLE EARTH: Mapping was never as accurate as the images we can now get thanks to satellites which from space can even see a dog in your back garden.
4. VIRTUAL REALITY: Nasa-developed research and advanced technology devices allow users to project themselves into a computer-generated environment. When coupled with a stereo-viewing device and appropriate software, it creates a feeling of actually being there.
5. ARTIFICIAL LIMBS: Prosthetic limbs are not new but advancements in space robotics are being adapted to create more lifelike, functioning limbs.
6. DIALYSIS: Modern machines to do the work of the kidneys – for patients waiting for or unable to have transplants – were developed as a result of a Nasa-developed chemical process.
7. MRI AND CAT SCANS: Nasa did not invent magnetic resonance imaging but it has contributed to major advances thanks to research into computer enhancement of pictures sent from the moon. Digital image processing has led to enhanced images of human organs.
8. BREAST CANCER SCREENING: A silicon chip originally developed for Nasa’s Hubble Space Telescope makes the testing process less painful, less scarring and less expensive than traditional biopsy methods.
9. ULTRASOUND TO ASSESS SKIN DAMAGE: An advanced instrument uses ultrasound technology to assess the depth of burn damage immediately, improving patient treatment and saving lives in serious burn cases.
10. EAR THERMOMETER: Removing the need to use intrusive, mercury-based thermometers on newborn babies and critically ill patients, the ear thermometer uses infrared astronomy technology to measure the amount of energy emitted by the eardrum. This is how Nasa measures the temperature of stars and planets.
11. ATTENTION GETTER: Techniques used to measure brain activity in Nasa pilots are being used to improve attention spans for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
12. ROAD SAFETY: The cutting of grooves in concrete to increase traction was developed to reduce space shuttle accidents on runways. It is now applied to roads and has cut US traffic accidents by 85 per cent.
13. IMPROVED RADIAL TYRES: Goodyear developed a fibrous material five times stronger than steel for Nasa to use in parachutes to land the Viking explorers on Mars. They expanded the technology to produce a harder-wearing radial car tyre.
14. LANDMINE REMOVAL: Surplus rocket fuel is used for a flare that can burn a hole in the case of a mine and burn away its explosive content.
15. STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS: Nasa software engineers have created thousands of computer programs to find imperfections in aerospace structures and components which has proved invaluable in air safety.
16. WATER FILTERS: Water-cleaning technology has existed since the early Fifties but Nasa came up with ways to filter it in more extreme situations. The activated charcoal with silver ions used in commercial filter systems cleans the water and kills bacteria.
17. FREEZE-DRIED FOOD: Nasa carried out extensive research to reduce the weight of food to be carried on missions. The result was a method for cooking food, freezing it quickly, then slowly heating it in a vacuum chamber to remove the ice crystals. The end product weighs one fifth of the original, while retaining 98 per cent of its nutrition.
18. TEMPER FOAM: Nasa developed a soft, high-energy-absorbent padding to improve crash protection in aircraft. Now “memory foam” is used in mattresses, pillows, military and civilian vehicles, sports safety equipment, amusement park rides, furniture and artificial limbs.
19. SCRATCH-RESISTANT LENSES: A modified version of a process developed by Nasa involves coating the lenses with a film of carbon that helps avoid scratches and decreases friction and reduces water spots.
20. RIBBED SWIMSUITS: The swimsuit worn by Olympic sensation Michael Phelps was developed with Nasa technology. Aerodynamic research came up with material which give 15 per cent faster speeds than any other swimsuit thanks to small, barely visible grooves that reduce friction and drag.
21. AERODYNAMIC GOLF BALLS: Technology is behind the design of golf balls with 500 dimples in a pattern of 60 triangles which allows the ball to maintain its initial speed longer and produce a more stable flight for better accuracy and distance.
22. ATHLETIC SHOES: Moon-boot material has been incorporated into running shoe midsoles to improve shock absorption and provide better stability and motion control.
23. PERSONAL ALARM SYSTEMS: A pen-sized ultrasonic transmitter used by prison guards, teachers, the elderly and disabled to call for help is based on space technology.
24. SPACE PENS: Most pens depend on mavity to make the ink flow to the ballpoint. The space pen was developed for the mavity-free space environment so that the ink cartridge contains pressurised gas to push the ink towards the ballpoint, so you can write upside down.
25. CORDLESS POWER TOOLS: The household and DIY products firm Black & Decker came up with a portable drill capable of extracting core samples from below the lunar surface during the Apollo missions. The same technology has been used on cordless miniature vacuum cleaners.
1. SATELLITE TELEVISION: Our world would not be the same without the satellites now in orbit around the Earth – all thanks to the space programme. They not only give us satellite broadcast television and radio but also power telecommunications including mobile phones and terrestrial TV networks.
2. SAT NAV: The global positioning system on which our in-car navigation systems are based was developed by the US Department of Defense. They would not exist without the space satellites.
3. GOOGLE EARTH: Mapping was never as accurate as the images we can now get thanks to satellites which from space can even see a dog in your back garden.
4. VIRTUAL REALITY: Nasa-developed research and advanced technology devices allow users to project themselves into a computer-generated environment. When coupled with a stereo-viewing device and appropriate software, it creates a feeling of actually being there.
5. ARTIFICIAL LIMBS: Prosthetic limbs are not new but advancements in space robotics are being adapted to create more lifelike, functioning limbs.
6. DIALYSIS: Modern machines to do the work of the kidneys – for patients waiting for or unable to have transplants – were developed as a result of a Nasa-developed chemical process.
7. MRI AND CAT SCANS: Nasa did not invent magnetic resonance imaging but it has contributed to major advances thanks to research into computer enhancement of pictures sent from the moon. Digital image processing has led to enhanced images of human organs.
8. BREAST CANCER SCREENING: A silicon chip originally developed for Nasa’s Hubble Space Telescope makes the testing process less painful, less scarring and less expensive than traditional biopsy methods.
9. ULTRASOUND TO ASSESS SKIN DAMAGE: An advanced instrument uses ultrasound technology to assess the depth of burn damage immediately, improving patient treatment and saving lives in serious burn cases.
10. EAR THERMOMETER: Removing the need to use intrusive, mercury-based thermometers on newborn babies and critically ill patients, the ear thermometer uses infrared astronomy technology to measure the amount of energy emitted by the eardrum. This is how Nasa measures the temperature of stars and planets.
11. ATTENTION GETTER: Techniques used to measure brain activity in Nasa pilots are being used to improve attention spans for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
12. ROAD SAFETY: The cutting of grooves in concrete to increase traction was developed to reduce space shuttle accidents on runways. It is now applied to roads and has cut US traffic accidents by 85 per cent.
13. IMPROVED RADIAL TYRES: Goodyear developed a fibrous material five times stronger than steel for Nasa to use in parachutes to land the Viking explorers on Mars. They expanded the technology to produce a harder-wearing radial car tyre.
14. LANDMINE REMOVAL: Surplus rocket fuel is used for a flare that can burn a hole in the case of a mine and burn away its explosive content.
15. STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS: Nasa software engineers have created thousands of computer programs to find imperfections in aerospace structures and components which has proved invaluable in air safety.
16. WATER FILTERS: Water-cleaning technology has existed since the early Fifties but Nasa came up with ways to filter it in more extreme situations. The activated charcoal with silver ions used in commercial filter systems cleans the water and kills bacteria.
17. FREEZE-DRIED FOOD: Nasa carried out extensive research to reduce the weight of food to be carried on missions. The result was a method for cooking food, freezing it quickly, then slowly heating it in a vacuum chamber to remove the ice crystals. The end product weighs one fifth of the original, while retaining 98 per cent of its nutrition.
18. TEMPER FOAM: Nasa developed a soft, high-energy-absorbent padding to improve crash protection in aircraft. Now “memory foam” is used in mattresses, pillows, military and civilian vehicles, sports safety equipment, amusement park rides, furniture and artificial limbs.
19. SCRATCH-RESISTANT LENSES: A modified version of a process developed by Nasa involves coating the lenses with a film of carbon that helps avoid scratches and decreases friction and reduces water spots.
20. RIBBED SWIMSUITS: The swimsuit worn by Olympic sensation Michael Phelps was developed with Nasa technology. Aerodynamic research came up with material which give 15 per cent faster speeds than any other swimsuit thanks to small, barely visible grooves that reduce friction and drag.
21. AERODYNAMIC GOLF BALLS: Technology is behind the design of golf balls with 500 dimples in a pattern of 60 triangles which allows the ball to maintain its initial speed longer and produce a more stable flight for better accuracy and distance.
22. ATHLETIC SHOES: Moon-boot material has been incorporated into running shoe midsoles to improve shock absorption and provide better stability and motion control.
23. PERSONAL ALARM SYSTEMS: A pen-sized ultrasonic transmitter used by prison guards, teachers, the elderly and disabled to call for help is based on space technology.
24. SPACE PENS: Most pens depend on mavity to make the ink flow to the ballpoint. The space pen was developed for the mavity-free space environment so that the ink cartridge contains pressurised gas to push the ink towards the ballpoint, so you can write upside down.
25. CORDLESS POWER TOOLS: The household and DIY products firm Black & Decker came up with a portable drill capable of extracting core samples from below the lunar surface during the Apollo missions. The same technology has been used on cordless miniature vacuum cleaners.
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Associate
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The sheer amount of resources in space is one massive reason to put more funding in to it.
For example those alchohol clouds that are bigger than our solar system (or something) - I want a piece of that action.
For example those alchohol clouds that are bigger than our solar system (or something) - I want a piece of that action.
So this, nasa need direction from the president. That I can't see happening in the near feature. I don't think SLS will ever fly, or if it does it'll be scrapped after testing.
Musk is such an amazing man, would love to meet him. There vision is stunning and there reserch is fast. Just look at the grasshopper and trying it full scale in September.
There's lots of respons too go to space. Much the same as military, it creates huge numbers of jobs, technology and has huge potential for resources. And of course massively improving diplomatic communication between nations. Look at Russia and USA collaborating (and before someone says, no it's not the only reason, but it massively helps)
It is the era of private space, it just needs a cheap launch vehicle to open space up, we need falcon9r and we need skylon.
Arkyd is amazing
There's even a kickstarter for a plasma rocket motor for cube Sats
We have the google lunarX prize as well, which has 3 years left to run
Space is going to kick of in ~2018 all these projects and technology are converging to a point of readiness soon to be realised.
I've felt china should be far ahead of where they are now, they seem to be floundering, despite the huge resources available to them.
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I doubt there is anything of note that will happen in my lifetime Mars manned landing perhaps, but bringing stuff back? We'll need a huge development in energy storage/propulsion technology, which has thus far been the domain of scam artists and dubious science
Mars manned landing perhaps, but bringing stuff back? We'll need a huge development in energy storage/propulsion technology, which has thus far been the domain of scam artists and dubious science
Soldato
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What do you mean: "They cut the power" - they're animals!
I doubt there is anything of note that will happen in my lifetime
Really? All me need is cheap access to space, both falcon9r and skylon tantalise us with this.
Plasma based rockets are great for long distance missions. And have amazing MPG for lack of a better term.
VASMIR is due to be tested next year on the ISS.
I doubt there is anything of note that will happen in my lifetime
Just need a really big magnet on a stick infront of the ship. It'll pull the ship there and back. Infinite energy.
As does co-operation, you can also compete within the same organisation & share the findings. (so that argument holds no water).