Posted on 02/08/2006 8:16:29 PM PST by KevinDavis
In a document titled "A Renewed Spirit of Discovery" released on the same day that President Bush announced his Vision for Space Exploration in January 2004, the White House directed NASA, as part of the new "Vison for Space Exploration" to "Conduct advanced telescope searches for Earth-like planets and habitable environments around other stars".
In a statement released today, the Planetary Society expressed their strong concerns about the cancellation of this and other space science missions. Planetary Society President, Wesley T. Huntress, Jr., observed that this action amounts to "essentially transferring funds from a popular and highly productive program into one [Space Shuttle] scheduled for termination."
(Excerpt) Read more at spaceref.com ...
The terrestrial systems would seem to be better choices for whatever funding is available.
True, but I'm asking if the Planetary Society is really concerned about the TPF, can't they fund it themselves???
Like the mission to Earth crap... Hey at least the Hubble will be saved..
I'm sorry, isn't there this big push for private space launching of both satelites and passenger crafts? Why can't the projects be privately funded and still use a space based system? Just think of the possibilities. Your a company that finds a habitable planet, maybe 6 to 10 parsecs out. You lay claim, 500 years later your companies vehicle arrives on the new planet and your company has the monopoly. Pretty exciting even knowing you may not live to see it happen. I say "may not" because with the incredible leaps we are making in healthcare and nanotechnology it might be possible to extend human life by a few centuries. Instead of celebrating the 120th birthday of the oldest living human, we could be celebrating his/her 350th. It's possible, and many would say probable.
Never say never...
Whether or not you can claim anything in space is yet to be determined. Any claims of national soveriegnty are expressly forbidden by the Outer Space Treaty.
As far as private funding, with the advent of nanotechnology, such things would be affordable by small groups of people. In fact, entire space colonies could be funded by a small group of people with a mature nanotechnology.
Believe me, I am confident that things like nanotechnology, mapping the genome, and other absolutely incredible breakthroughs in science will lead to longer life, by an exponential, not multiple, factor. Think of the ramifications of finding ways to slow aging so that a man or woman 500 years old has the health of a 30 year old. The possibility of space travel to another solor system would be within our reach. Heck, the possibility of just roaming around in space for the heck of it would be within our reach. We are living, IMO, in the most exciting time for advancements in healthcare, science, and technology.
What about the people who have bought land on the moon. Are their claims invalid, and therefore the company that sold it to them a fraud?
I agree.. I'm sad the tpf is cancelled, however, I think the Planetary Society can fund the telescope themselves. As for science I'm not afraid at all...
The short answer is yes. There is absolutely no nation that recognizes any claims made of the moon or any other object in space. Once someone lands there and stakes a claim, that will create some difficulty in sorting out, because a physical presence can be the basis of a legitimate claim.
> kill some other less meaningful science mission
My vote: Social Security. That particular experiment in social engineering was completed *decades* ago.
More worthwhile science projects down the tubes to fund the "man in space program". I guess going around in circles forever is better than actually accomplishing anything scientifically useful. /sarc/
My humble suggestion is to team up with India and Brazil. For one thing, I'd like to see an equatorial launch facility, particularly if it means bulldozing some more rain forest. ;')
NASA seeks partners as budgets tighten
New Scientist Space | 02/08/06 | Maggie McGee
Posted on 02/08/2006 8:20:42 PM PST by KevinDavis
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1574870/posts
"Latest Discover suggested there are two competing terrestrial telescope systems up against this space based system" [muawiyah]
and best of all, it's online now. Maybe a space ping list topic?
http://www.discover.com/issues/feb-06/cover/
Well, too late now.
This program is the most important one that NASA ever had. If they had only one program it should be this one. I don't often agree with the Planetary Society, but they have been right more often in the post-Sagan epoch.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.