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Diverse in Unity
That's hardly a single achievement. Also, I meant something pertaining to exploration.
China goes to space
- Thread starter RedRalph
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That's hardly a single achievement. Also, I meant something pertaining to exploration.
I think the Human Genome Project is a good counter-example to the loss of the ability to do a large, coordinated project. But I think the US has lost more mojo since then. The HGP was started nearly over two decades ago.
I was honestly thinking of some type of co-ordinated building project, in the vibe of the Hoover Dam. I don't think something like that could be done anymore
I was honestly thinking of some type of co-ordinated building project, in the vibe of the Hoover Dam. I don't think something like that could be done anymore
International efforts are still pretty impressive, despite strong attempts to hamstring them. ITER, the SuperCollider, Rinderpest, etc.
Winner
Diverse in Unity
So? A free floating object needs constant, extremely precise corrections of its position to correct for light drag and other disturbances, even if it doesn't change orientation. Plus, there is the issue of maintenance.
I don't really see why are you even arguing this point - I am not saying doing this elsewhere than on the Moon, I am simply saying that there are locations on the Moon which are almost perfect for doing this kind of astronomy.
Because robots simply can't replace a human being, that's why. You're all talking as if robots could comfortably replace a human even here on Earth. Maybe they can, in a very specific task. But to operate such a (relatively) large and complicated operation as a lunar base, you need actual human presence. Telerobotics will still be used, but it will be used to aid humans, not replace them.
The Chinese have indicated in the past that if they ever commit to a manned lunar landing programme, it will be a part of a greater effort to establish human presence in space. It makes sense even for prestige reasons alone - just landing on the Moon would be dismissed as repeating what the Americans did 40 years ago. Establishing a permanent presence there would be a different thing in the eyes of the world. Everyone who would look at the Moon couldn't help themselves but to think about the people there - and that they're Chinese. Imagine how it will make the Americans feel...
Winner
Diverse in Unity
It's also decades away from achieving its goal. And I am all for it, but it still doesn't compare with the impact (cultural as well as technological and scientific) of the the Apollo programme.
Something tells me that a manned Mars mission (for example) would elicit more of a response from the public.
Anything requiring that precision would need constant, extremely precise corrections. Even on the moon. And the technology to do it in space is already being developed as part of the LISA project (gravitational wave detector), for which there is no way to build it on the moon.
The point I am trying to make, is that the advantages the moon offers for such projects are minor and it is doubtful that they will offset the additional complications (like landing there, setting up and then you have to worry about the moon dust). If there already is a base in a convenient spot it might make sense to build it there, but it isn't a justification for actually building a base there.
Robots could replace every manual labor task on earth. But for many applications the effort to make task friendly to robots and to design and build the robot itself is much greater than the effort and cost to pay a human to do it. But in an environment hostile to humans, like space or a nuclear reactor, where the cost for the life support systems becomes very high, using robots exclusively becomes very attractive. And if you keep in mind during the design that the task should be done by a robot, it becomes much easier to design the robot.
What task do you have in mind that could not conceivably be done by a remote-controlled robot?
And speaking about life-support systems: The problem of shielding cosmic rays in space isn't solved yet. So long-term living on the moon would still be very dangerous to anyone's health.
The Chinese have indicated in the past that if they ever commit to a manned lunar landing programme, it will be a part of a greater effort to establish human presence in space. It makes sense even for prestige reasons alone - just landing on the Moon would be dismissed as repeating what the Americans did 40 years ago. Establishing a permanent presence there would be a different thing in the eyes of the world. Everyone who would look at the Moon couldn't help themselves but to think about the people there - and that they're Chinese. Imagine how it will make the Americans feel...
The China#1 argument is probably the motivation for this. And I agree that it is better that they spend their resources on this than on trying to outdo the USA in aircraft carriers.
Darth Caesar
Might be a Wizard
Damn commies should keep their dirty paws off the moon!
Traitorfish
The Tighnahulish Kid
The moon belongs to America, and anxiously awaits the arrival of our astro-men!
And NASA invented the solid-fuel rocket?
CELTICEMPIRE
Zulu Conqueror
Next Poland can into space!
TheLastOne36
Deity
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Well, I'd imagine the best Soviet-era Polish scientists are working for the ESA.
edit: No, it appears we aren't part of the ESA... Not Full members anyway. I assume our top scientists in the field are still working for them regardless.
Although people lose track of the progress that's been made even on that front since the HGP was completed. It took thirteen years to sequence the first human genome. In the nine years since then, we've sequenced another 30,000 human genomes, and the world's overall sequencing capacity is currently enough to sequence over four million human genomes' worth of base pairs per year.
Tani Coyote
Son of Huehuecoyotl
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The value of the space race, short of the prestige gains in the Cold War, simply does not match its incredible cost.
Of course, if China wants the spotlight, let them have it - it's just not a sound investment.
China having so much money, though, the prestige and pride it would gain from such a mission can possibly excuse its price tag.
I'm waiting for Japan to try and go to the Moon - their advanced robotics will possibly yield the first space colony.
Of course, if China wants the spotlight, let them have it - it's just not a sound investment.
China having so much money, though, the prestige and pride it would gain from such a mission can possibly excuse its price tag.
I'm waiting for Japan to try and go to the Moon - their advanced robotics will possibly yield the first space colony.
aronnax
Let your spirit be free
I really want to see a picture of a Chinese flag planted right next to the American flag on the moon. And the reactions of various far-right American public figures.
innonimatu
the resident Cassandra
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And make that on a higher pole! They'd go nuts. And so would the chinese celebrating. Fun fun fun all wound for those of us watching the spat!
Patroklos
Deity
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this is just a basic misunderstanding of engineering. The new trade center buildings are incredibly more advanced in basically any metric you care to measure besides shear size. Structural integrity, materials science, energy efficiency, weather resistance, water efficiency, structure to space ratio, etc.
The real problem is that people want meaningless grand gestures instead of valuable progressive improvement.
As to the OP the effort is not useless, but there are better choices.
GoodSarmatian
Jokerfied Western Male
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And make that on a higher pole! They'd go nuts. And so would the chinese celebrating. Fun fun fun all wound for those of us watching the spat!
And then take the American flag back to earth and display it in a museum in Beijing !
