Posted on 07/21/2019 9:51:22 PM PDT by BenLurkin
China launched the space station in September 2016, and quickly sent up a pair of taikonauts, Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong, to conduct a variety of experiments on a 30 day mission. China launched a second, uncrewed mission in April 2017 to refuel the station to test out a new spacecraft and conduct some “robotic demonstrations.” That was the last mission to the station, which was never intended as a permanent habitat in orbit.
Along with the Tiangong-1, the two stations provided the Chinese space program with valuable experience in orbit. They demonstrated not only that they could launch and sustain hardware in space, but also dock crewed and uncrewed vehicles to them — vital lessons for any human spaceflight program. China had proposed a third station, the Tiangong-3, but it was never constructed or launched.
The country is planning on constructing another station in orbit, with the first section, the Tianhe-1 module, scheduled for launch in 2020.
(Excerpt) Read more at theverge.com ...
Let them waste their money.
I think it is difficult and expensive to keep a station in orbit. Quite different than just a satellite.
I understand the idea of sunk cost. Just like we left the LEM on the Moon and how I donate all the stuff I buy when I stay long term at the client site. I have donated appliances and even a bicycle. This time it is a dorm fridge and a microwave.
Cheaper to jettison than lug and store.
I think I have read that about 2/3 of an astronaut's time on the ISS is just basic maintenance and cleaning.
they need a roomba...
That would be a good idea.
>>I think I have read that about 2/3 of an astronaut’s time on the ISS is just basic maintenance and cleaning.
<<
So we now have the definition of the astronaut to the ISS:
Marriage.
(should I run like hell?)
Fine, then let the universities and private investors fund it.
USA needs to stop "investing" and stop adding another Trillion Dollars to the borrowed National Debt each year.
.
Where’s the janitor?
Believe me, you don’t want Russia or China to control space if you have any interest in your kids and grandkids being free.
Where's the Seaman Apprentice? Or now; "the astronaut's apprentice."
Some day men will be kidnapped and forced to work on a Royal space ship :)
Or Molly Maid in Space.
The Space Program is one of the best things for innovation, new product development and the inspiration of children to want to become something other than a lib arts major.
If the USA were to get serious about a Mars expedition, not only could all expectations be met, but the sense of pride would most likely return. The innovations of the 60’s space program have ramifications that have continued on to this day. A lot of what we use and consume are a result of that program. Billions, if not trillions, of dollars, have gone into this economy due to the 60’s space program. We have become apathetic and lethargic in the abundance we live in. Getting the space program back up and running again towards a national goal f reaching Mars would be a sound idea. However, this is not to pour money into this investment and think that is the cure-all to the solution. We should never waste resources. Who knows, a fully revamped and revitalized space program could take us out of debt.
Still more than 50 years behind the US. Maybe quicker depending on what they steal and replicate.
So where is it going to de-orbit to-——???
I think I heard over the weekend that it cost us $15 billion to send people the moon. That’s about $100 billion in today’s money.
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