By: mason

mason — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 00:33:57 +0000

I think this is one of the few times imo when privatization is a really good idea. Whether we think it’s necessary or not, we need to continue to develop new forms of space travel and technology to facilitate it. What the ppl whose only argument is “we have too many problems down here to be worrying about this,” they fail to understand the two most important implications of aeronautical research. The first is for national defense… it’s bad enough that nasa has to rely on Russia to ferry them to the ISS. If we keep going at this rate, our disadvantage will only grow as they continue to develop new technologies in their space program while we pump the brakes on ours. Is air and space superiority something you really want the Russians to have? It doesn’t seem like a good idea for any one country to have, let alone one whom we have a sketchy history with. The second is that with aeronautical research comes a flood of new technologies, most of which are very applicable to us down on earth. For example, if it wasn’t for nasa, we wouldn’t have the chips that we use for non-invasive biopsies, solar energy, and a whole litany of other things (http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html#Top has a good number of inventions that most of us don’t know came from our space program). And if you’re one of those ppl that are so skeptical (or cynical imo) that you still don’t think that any of the things on this list warrant a larger investment in a privatized space industry, just remember that while you sleep at night, you most likely have nasa to thank for that, too. If you use any type of home security system, chances are they use infrared and laser technology that came out of nasa’s research (just look at the adt home security infrared camera page. They even admit that the technology came from nasa!)

By: julianna

julianna — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:48:33 +0000

i think that the enterprise is a great idea. i mean of course they still probally have to work out some more details and other kinds of things but they have the base to a really cool idea. i think that if i had that kind of money and i could get one of those tickets i so would…i mean who wouldnt want to see space right? one thing that i was wondering when i was reading the article is, is it going to be safe? i mean im sure that they are testing it and all that kind of stuff but we are putting human lives at risk. but i guess if they are willing to take the risk then go for it!

Comments on: Virgin Galactic’s Spaceship-for-Tourists Soars in a Successful Test Flight

By: mason

By: julianna