Posted on 08/06/2005 2:34:32 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Damn straight. I agree.
China's Space Trash Observation Center
2005/05/24
Not long ago, the Chinese Academy of Sciences established a space target and debris observation and research center at the Purple Mountain Observatory, the first of its kind in China.
With a team made up of some ten senior space trash experts, the research center expects to establish a micro-space debris database, track down the existing space trashes on a real time basis, spot undiscovered space trashes, work on technologies to detect the space debris that might possibly do harm to space vehicle launch or orbit operation, and eventually establish a risk assessment system. The Purple Mountain Observatory will erect an internationally advanced near celestial body telescope at Xuyi, Jiansu Province, in a move to facilitate the new center's operation. The telescope will cover and track down most of space trashes flying over China's territorial space. To be free from interference, including illuminating lights and air pollution, all observation activities will be staged night only.
http://www.chinaembassy.org.ro/rom/kjwh/t197043.htm
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They're tracking more than trash.
They're working on it but it's just so un-PC to discuss.
NASA's motto should be:
Imagination - Wealth - Security
Now. Now.
You get more for your money at NASA than most any other agency I can think of.
NASA's budget is about .07 of the Federal Budget.
Make that .007%
1. Computer Technology
2. Consumer/Home/Recreation
3. Environmental and Resource Management
4. Health and Medicine
5. Industrial Productivity/Manufacturing Technology
6. Public Safety
7. Transportation
Watch what's going to happen with Bush's Vision for Space Exploration. Maybe you'll be impressed. It's about exploration and learning to live off planet using resources in space, starting on the Moon. There will be a lot of technology and national defense pay-offs. And it will encourage private investment. Stay tuned!
Who doesn't? That's like saying "I'm for curing cancer." The question is (1) should NASA continue to be given that charge; and (2) can NASA do it? The answer to #2 is, more and more to many sober observers, no.
NASA isn't the only U.S. space program.
Of course. The article you posted quotes people in the military. But NASA is a large spender of much of the money devoted to space; the bureaucratic symbol of our space program; and the largest impediment to private space development.
You're not giving President Bush and Mike Griffin much credit for the changes they're planning for NASA and private enterprise.
You are correct. I am not.
This issue has several angles: commons of space, air superiority, future of NASA, technogeek cool. Thanks for posting it.
There is no such thing as international law. There is the 1967 Treaty, though, and that is a severe impediment to the development of outer space.
Outer space as a commons? That is socialistic and ought to raise the hackles.
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