Posted on 09/05/2024 1:21:09 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
It looks more and more like China might beat NASA back to the moon.
If all goes according to the re-re-revised plan, Boeing's troubled Starliner space capsule will undock from the International Space Station on Friday afternoon and make an automated return to Earth, unmanned. Meanwhile, debate continues at NASA over how to proceed with the Artemis program to get us back to the moon — almost two full years after the Artemis I flight test returned safely to Earth but with the Orion capsule's heat shield showing unexpected wear and tear.
"This will be an even higher-profile decision for NASA," Eric Berger reported for Ars Technica on Wednesday, "with higher consequences—four astronauts will be on board, and hundreds of millions, if not billions, of people will be watching humanity's first deep space mission in more than five decades."
Here's the bullet point version of the debate:
* Artemis I returned safely. Had there been astronauts on board, they would have been in zero danger.
* Still, Orion's heat shield did not burn away as expected — a possible concern.
*Should manned Artemis II follow the same reentry profile, make a steeper reentry that will take less time, or be delayed while a new heat shield is designed, built, and tested?
NASA has given no indication of when a decision will be made or what it might be. Also of note: Orion is a Lockheed-Martin project, not Boeing.
Also tightlipped is Communist China about its lunar ambitions. But, like NASA, the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP) aims to put Taikonauts on the lunar surface in the 2029-2030 timeframe. China's program has enjoyed nine successful missions to date, including a lunar orbiter, a rover, and even a lunar sample return to Earth. Phase 4 begins in 2026
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
It looks more and more like China might beat NASA back to the moon.
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Possibly but not if Elon Musk and SpaceX are allowed to “come to the rescue”.
I am not in the least bit concerned. When we do go back to the moon (soon) with SpaceX Starship, it will be for real, not a one-time visit like Communist China will do.
We were there 55 years ago with what is now considered antiquated technology. Six missions, 12 men. But it’s a problem now.
What am I missing?
China might reach the South Pole and climb Mt Everest, too. But they won’t be first.
China’s never been there. How can they beat the US back there?
NASA is worthless.
They've improved, repaired, made it more sustainable and enviro friendly and updated to the point it's almost useless. All with the help of AI and DEI personnel.
And Chinky’s on the Moon!
If NASA were SERIOUS about getting to the moon, they'd relinquish all contracts to Spacex. Otherwise, NASA is doing a FINE job of SABOTAGING any U.S. effort in going there.
Did little lord Fauci send NIH money to them to open up a virus factory there too?
Many, many factors.
People were expected to do their jobs properly, handle pressure and still do them, and be responsible and personally accountable. With far weaker tech tools.
The most diverse crew ever will be incinerated on takeoff.
“What am I missing?”
maybe the fact that your Govt has never told you the truth.
but back then we all wanted to believe it was “a small step for man, a giant leap for mankind”
when in reality it was just a huge big lie.
When they can change the orbit of an asteroid, I’ll be impressed, and if I were a Chinese cosmonaut I’d be concerned that it might just be a one-way trip.
Side note, when Ike Turner died, one death notice cracked wise with the headline ‘Ike Turner “Beats” Tina to Death’.
First radio transmission to chairman Xi does the moon have red soil?.
NASA will get there first if it’s decided that the Moon’s pronouns need updating.
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