The thread on UFOs made me curious how people here feel about space exploration. Don’t have much time to articulate my own views right now, but suffice to say I’m strongly in favor.
why don’t you do a poll? I’m in favor.
Yes, whether I want to or not…some fraction of a cent of my taxes funds NASA.
Ignoring government’s role arguments, though, I’m all for space exploration.
Maybe Mucha Man could organize an expedition for all of us. It’ll probably be an early start, though, which might put a few off …
Yes, which totals a fraction of 1% of the federal budget. During the Apollo Program NASA received 3-4% of the budget. The question is, how many resources do you think should be dedicated to the space program.
What do you think the government’s role should be?
I’m all for space exploration, but only so long as it is actually meaningful being where we are at technologically (what can we actually do out there???). Otherwise, I would rather the money and effort be spend on medical and technological advances for use here on earth.
There’s far better things to invest in. We won’t though, and space exploration is less harmful than most other dollar sinks, so why not?
As I understand it, part of what the crews do on most flights is testing and experiments designed to improve medicine here on earth.
My childhood dream was to become an astronaut. I couldn’t tell ya how many vivid dreams I’ve had about rocketing into space or walking on other planets. The romantic in me says that just because it’s that beautiful and mysterious, that’s enough. Practically, it IS very expensive. But as I said, there are plenty of practical things done on each mission.
I think we should construct a Dyson Sphere.
In general I’m fairly apathetic about the exploration of space, but I’d love to put a probe in uranus.
[quote=“Dr. McCoy”]I think we should construct a Dyson Sphere.[/quote] Any idea how many worlds’ worth of material that would take? 
Probably a whole lot. (with a shitload of zeros at the end.)
Dyson Sphere? Is that his proposal to cover a rock in space with giant trees in order to create an atmosphere in order to make it habitable?
Has anyone read The Starship and the Canoe? It’s a phenomenal book about renowned astrophysicist Freeman Dyson’s crazy, but dead serious plan, as describe above, and his son who escaped from society to live high up in a tree house in the forest and to build fabulous Eskimo kayaks (baidarkas). Anyway, that book – which I placed on a pedestal with Catcher in the Rye and Vonnegut, etc. as an adolescent – describes that wacky pet project of the genius Dyson.
I agree, provided it won’t be built by a von Neumann universal constructor.
I’m all in favor. Without it, it will be impossible to fulfill our destiny to become a spacefaring species.
As I understand it, part of what the crews do on most flights is testing and experiments designed to improve medicine here on earth.[/quote]
Sure, but that’s not space exploration IMO. I’m assuming the OP is talking about actually exploring the reaches of our galaxy, right?
There will always be an excuse not to explore space. Hunger, education, and a million “more important” issues will always exist. They’re ongoing efforts. But space exploration, I think, would affect the human race in a way that may be, in the long run, far more important, not only in practical terms, i.e. access to resources, not to mention the survival of the species, but just in knowing that we are still expanding our knowledge as well as our reach.
explore, discover, travel in, yes, but own: no. ownership by terrestrial entities (states and corporations) should be restricted to terra.
So, we’ll meet a Xindian MRT Station at 7:30 am tomorrow. Bring plenty of water, a change of clothes and don’t forget your gravity boots.
[quote=“Mother Theresa”]Dyson Sphere? Is that his proposal to cover a rock in space with giant trees in order to create an atmosphere in order to make it habitable?
Has anyone read The Starship and the Canoe? It’s a phenomenal book about renowned astrophysicist Freeman Dyson’s crazy, but dead serious plan, as describe above, and his son who escaped from society to live high up in a tree house in the forest and to build fabulous Eskimo kayaks (baidarkas). Anyway, that book – which I placed on a pedestal with Catcher in the Rye and Vonnegut, etc. as an adolescent – describes that wacky pet project of the genius Dyson.[/quote]
It encircles the star. That way you can collect all the engergy from the star. There was one in a Star Trek episode where Scotty made a guest appearance on the Next Generation. It’s another reason why it may be hard to detect an advanced civilization from our planet, because it doesn’t emit any radiation.